The Histor ySocial Welfare in Asia

Japan National Council of Social Welfare

40 years of international exchange/support programs

40th
Anniversary

In 1979, the International Year of the Child advocated by UN, JNCSW started its international exchange/support programs
especially for Asian countries. Among them, the typical one is the Asian Social Welfare Workers’ Training Program. To
celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2019, let’s look back the brief history of international exchange/support programs of JNCSW.

Japan National Council of Social Welfare

1979~Looking Back 40 Years~〜 Social Welfare in Asia 〜
40 years of international exchange/support programs
1 Background of the Program (LARA Goods)【1946-1952】LARA (Licensed Agencies for Relief in Asia) goods

Looking Back 40 YearsContinuation and Progress ofInternational Exchange/Support

President
Tenryu-Kohseikai

Former Chairman
International Social Welfare Fund Committee

Ms. Tatsuko YAMAMOTO

Mr. Kokushi TAKAOKA

We have accepted trainees of Asian Social Welfare Workers’
Training P rogram f rom the first time, and more than 30
trainees have had training here. At the beginning, we had to
overcome a lot of difficulties. For them, learning Japaneseculture and social rules were more important than learningsocial welfare works, and for us, it was necessary to get used
to being and working with non-Japanese trainees. Sometimes
the language barrier created misunderstanding. I mainly
tried to support them during non-working time so that they
could get to know Japan well. Now our staff members become
fa m i l ia r w it h accept i ng non -Japa nese t ra i nees , a ndunderstand Asia in a good way. Whenever I hear the successof ex- t r a i ne e s i n t he i r home c ou nt r ie s , I re a f fi r m t heimportance of this training program.

A fter the World War II, ever ything was in chaos in Japan;
daily supplies were in short, and public social welfare was notprepared. Under such circumstances, social welfare service
was suppor ted by overseas aid such as L A R A ( L icensed
Agencies for Relief in Asia) or CAC (Church World Service,
American Friends Service Committee, Catholic War Relief
Service).
Such relief activity by private organizations contributed a lott o t he p os t w a r re c ons t r uc t ion i n Ja p a n . It s s p i r it is afoundation of the international exchange/support activities
including social welfare activity support or disaster welfare
support activities in Asian countries. That spirit should be
inherited into the future.
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary, I hope this program
will be progressed more keeping the spirit or practice ofpioneers deep inside.

Overseas Aid through Ex-Trainees

President
Fukushi Shinbun-sha (Welfare Newspaper)

Japanese Language Teacher(1st ~ 27th batch)

Mr. Chikashi MATSUJU

Ms. Hisako UEDA

In 1979, collaborating with Reimei-kai, Seirei Social Welfare Community,
Salvation A rmy and Saiseikai Imperial Gif t Foundation, Inc., JNC SW
dispatched medical teams to a refugee camp in Thailand for the sake of
Cambodian ref ugees. Changed ever y 3 months, 8 teams in tot al weredispatched, and the project itself was continued for 2 years.
T hough it was t he lead i ng project of overseas med ic a l a id of Japa n,esp e c ia l ly revea led was it s i m mat u r it y. C ompa r i ng to t he U. S . a nd
European countries, Japan had no local connection and had to hire local
help er s or col labor ator s usi ng money. On t he cont r a r y, t he U. S . or
Europea n count r ies could sec ure cooperators a nd volunteers usi ng
religious connections, and consequently, they could use small fund more
efficiently and effectively for relief activities. Their local staff worked hard,
and respect was with them.
We knew that for the authentic relief activ it y, it was indispensable todevelop reliable local human resource even it took some time. It was thest ar t of the Asian Social Wel fare Workers’ Training P rogram. On theoccasion of 2004 Sumatran Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster in the Indian
Ocea n, ex- t ra i nees played a n act ive role i n t hei r home cou nt r ies to
est ablish communit y centers in Ba nda Ache in I ndonesia , Phuket in
Thailand and Galle in Sri Lanka, respectively. Through those centers, we
could provide fund to make immediate relief activities possible for victims.

01

Walking together with Trainees from
Asian Countries

Japan National Council of Social Welfare 40th Anniversary

As a Japanese language teacher, I spent many years witht ra inees of t he A sia n S ocia l Wel fa re Workers’ Tra ining
Program. Trainees came from various Asian countries withdifferent culture and different language, and it was my job toteach them not only Japanese language but also Japaneseculture, custom, traditions, etc. to settle them in Japan beforet hey st a r t on - t he - job t r a i n i ng. E ven now, I c a n clea rly
remember their faces as they are all my children.
As they are hard workers, they could complete Japanese
language st udy in a shor t period of time, and a f ter theirr e t u r n i n g, t he y p l a y a n i m p o r t a nt r ol e i n t he i r hom ecountries. Their visits and letters always make me happy. I
hope this t ra ining prog ra m w ill cont inue to deepen themutual understanding between Asian countries and Japanand to learn each other for the better future.

After the Pacific Wars, Japan suffered from awful food andgoods shortage, and saved by L A R A goods. L A R A wasestablished by the American Council of Voluntary Agencies
for Foreign Service, Inc. (ACVAFS) for the relief of Japan,
Okinawa and Korea. Japanese people never forget it, andhave kept the feeling of appreciation since then.
People working in the social welfare field in Japan also
never forget that the development of social welfare in Japanafter the Pacific Wars was supported by the donation orcooperation from overseas countries, and they have sought
the opportunity to give something back to the internationalsociety.
That’ s why they started the fund-raising activity for the development of social welfare in Asian countries tolaunch the international exchange/support programs.

2 Initial StageIn 1979, the Internatinal Year of Child, JNCSW lead the fund-raising activit y for the sake ofdeveloping countries in Asia, and 180 million yen was donated by social welfare organizations andworkers all over Japan. Based on this fund, JNCSW implemented the following projects.

1 【1979-1981】Dispatch of a Non-Governmental Medical Team to Refugee CampFor tens of thousands of Indo - China Refugees, JNCSW
a r r a n ge d a me d ic a l t e a m , a nd it w a s d is p at che d by
Jap a ne s e G over n ment t o S a K ae o R ef u ge e C a mp i n
Thailand in December 1979. Until August 1981, JNCSW
arranged 8 medical teams composed by medical workers insocial welfare institutions in Japan (84 in total), and sent
them to the refugee camp. It is the first overseas aid activity
that was implemented systematically by Japan. Gained
experience and know-how were useful for overseas aid
activities after that.

2 【1979-1989】Child Welfare Support in Asia
【1979-1981】Support for local project

Along with the arrangement of medical team for the refugee camp, JNCSW provided approx. 35 million yen
in toto for 9 projects in 7 countries in three years for child welfare. Contents of projects were varied such as
vocational training for the youth, establishment of child welfare center in a slum, a mobile education programfor children with visual impairment, etc.

【1980-1989】Support for organizations working with local project
JNC SW gave financial aid to Japanese organizations working in overseas countries such as Japan
International Volunteer Center (JVC) and Caring for Young Refugees (CYR) working for refugee relief, orShapla Neer working for development aid, etc. During ten years from 1980 to 1989, JNCSW provided approx.
40million yen in toto.

3 【1980-1987】Life support for returned Japanese war orphans left in China
In 1972, diplomatic relations between Japan and China normalized, and consequently, many of Japanese war
orphans left in China came back to Japan; however, because of the difference of language, lifestyle, etc., it
was difficult for them to adapt to Japanese society. To support their smooth settlement, JNCSW conductedfact-finding study, and then, provided Japanese language classes and life consultation service for them
together with Tokyo Metropolitan Council of Social Welfare. The outcome was compiled in reports, books
and video materials in 1987.
Japan National Council of Social Welfare 40th Anniversary02

3 The Launch of Asian Social Welfare Workers’ Training Program
1 【1984-present】Asian Social Welfare Workers’ Training Program
For the effective use of 80 million yen, the remaining balance of fund, JNCSW started the project to develop
human resources in Asian countries. That’ s the Asian Social Welfare Worker’ s Training Program, and it has
been continued since 1984. This program is considered as the portal of the support activities in Asia, and in
this program, social welfare workers in Asian countries are invited to Japan as trainees (usually 1 person/1
country, from several countries) and have on-the-job training in social welfare institutions in Japan as well as
intensive Japanese language course. Until March 2019, during 36 years, 165 trainees from 8 countries(Bangladesh, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Sri Lanka) completed thetraining program, and many of them are contributing to the development of social welfare in their own
countries.

2 【1989-present】Study Tour
Since 1989, JNCSW have organized Study Tour to overseas
countries for the following purposes:♦ To visit ex-trainees of Asian Social Welfare Workers’
Training Program and see their social welfare activities
in their home countries♦ To participate in international conferences related tosocial welfare♦ To le a r n s oc ia l wel f a re cha l len ges , p r ac t ic es a ndsituations of other countries
In home countries of ex-trainees, new partnership has been
est abl ished t hrough excha nges w it h Japa nese socia lwelfare organizations.

5 With Ex-Trainees of Asian Social Welfare Workers’ Training Program
1 【2005-present】Follow-up Training for
Ex-Trainees

Ex-trainees are invited to Japan again for the follow-up
training as well as for the reinforcement of relationship withsocial welfare workers in Japan. By 2018, 18 ex-trainees
from 7 countries participated in this program.

2 【1986-1991】Africa-Asia Aid FundJNCSW gave its helping hand to A frica through A frica-Asia Aid Fund campaign led by JNCSW Liaison
Meeting of Councils of Institutions. Its purposes are to save children and people in need in Africa and Asia
from poverty and famine, and to support Japanese volunteer groups working in Africa and Asia. For thisproject, 49.5 million yen was donated mainly by social welfare institutions in Japan. Approx. 10 million yen
per year was funded to 72 organizations and projects for five years.

3 【1991】International Social Welfare Fund
In 1991, JNCSW celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of both Social Welfare Services Law
and the system of councils of social welfare. On this special occasion, JNCSW built up the International
Social Welfare Fund aiming to support Asian countries and to promote international exchange among Asian
countries including Japan. For this fund, more than 700 million yen was donated including 300 million yen
from JNCSW. This fund is managed and run by the International Social Welfare Fund Committee, and isused for the Asian Social Welfare Workers’ Training Program and other activities for the development andcooperation in the field of social welfare in Asia.

4 International Exchange among Asian Countries Including Japan1 【1996-present】Japan-Korea-Taiwan Conference of Non-Governmental
Social Welfare Organization (Trilateral Conference)

In 1996, JNCSW called both Korea and Taiwan for theo p e n i n g o f J a p a n - K o r e a -Ta i w a n C o n f e r e n c e o f
Non-Governmental Social Welfare Organization (Trilateral
Conference) as those three had similar social welfare
circumstances. Its purposes are to share social welfare
issues , to excha nge opi n ions , a nd to deep en mut ua lunderstanding. The First Trilateral Conference was held inJapan in October 1996, and after that, it has been held every
year hosted by rotation of the three. By 2018, it was held 23
times, and after 2018, it is held biennially.

03

Japan National Council of Social Welfare 40th Anniversary

2 【1997-present】Grant Program for the Ex-Trainees of AsianSocial Welfare Workers’ Training Program

T his program is to suppor t social welfare activities of
ex-trainees in their home countr y. Until 2019, the total
a mount of g ra nt for va r ious prog ra ms i n 8 count r ies
reached 49.33 million yen. Aided programs are in a wide
range such as:@ life/education support for street children@ independence support for families in poor areas@ improvement of group home for people with disabilities@ support for abused children@ vocational/skill-for-life training for Children in-Conflictwith the Law (CICL)@ infectious disease prevention activities@ community emergency drill, etc.

3 【Quinquennial】Asian Social Welfare Seminar
Every five years, Asian Social Welfare Seminar is held in
Japa n. It s pu r poses a re mut ua l lea r n i ng a nd mut ua l
exchange between ex-trainees and Japanese social welfare
wo r ke r s . E xc h a n g e a n d s h a r i n g o f e x p e r i e n c e s o r
k now-how a re proceeded t hrough repor ts f rom eachcountry about status quo and challenges of social welfare
activities, table discussions by different themes, study tour
to social welfare institutions, etc. In December 2019, the
7th Asian Social Welfare Seminar was held.

4 【Temporary】Regional Seminar of Ex-Trainees
It is a seminar organized and implemented by ex-trainees
t he ms el ve s . It s p u r p o s e s a r e i n for m a t ion s h a r i n g,
exchange and strengthening of partnership.

Japan National Council of Social Welfare 40th Anniversary04

Chronological Table

6 Disaster Relief【July 1990】Earthquake in Baguio
On July 16, 1990, a great earthquake of magnitude 7.0 on Richter scale struck Luzon in the Philippines, andmore than 5,000 people were killed. JNCSW donated medical supplies equivalent to 4.5 million yen to
ex-trainees working for victims in Baguio City in cooperation with Japanese pharmaceutical companies.
A lso, collaborating with CCWA (Christian Child Welfare Association, now Child Fund Japan), aJapanese NGO working in the Philippines, and other local organizations, JNCSW provided long-termreconstruction support including livelihood support by small loan, etc.

Year

Month

Topical events

Activities of JNCSW

Outcome

1928

July

The 1st International Conference of Social
Work (Paris, France)

Japanese delegates attended the 1st International
Conference of Social Work (Paris, France)

In 1936, Japanese National Committee of the International
Conference of Social Work was established as a privateorganization neither controlled nor protected by law.

1946

November

The first shipment of LARA goods reached at
Yokohama Port.

1952

June

LARA goods were terminated.
Japanese National Committee of the International
Conference of Social Work was dissolved, and acorporation with the name of Japanese National
Committee of the International Council on Social Welfare(JNC/ICSW) was newly established (Secretariat: JNCSW).

In 2012, it was changed into a general incorporated association,and in 2016, it was dissolved and inherited by JNCSW.

1969

December

1979

January

The International Year of the Child (IYC)

February

Sino-Vietnamese War caused Indo-China
Refugees【September 1999】Earthquake in Taiwan

April

On September 21, 1990, a great earthquake of magnitude
7.6 on Richter scale was occurred in Taiwan. Its epicenter
was Ji-Ji in Nan-Tou County, and its damage was enormous.
More than 10,000 people were killed, houses and buildings
were collapsed, a nd la ndsl ide was occur red. J NC S W
immediately dispatched its staff members to Taiwan toobserve how much the damage was. Local social welfareorganizations where ex-trainees were working struggled tohelp victims, and to support them, JNCSW establishedTaiwan Earthquake Disaster Support Project, and called for
donation in Japan. Approx. 48 million yen was raised, andthat fund supported various activities of social welfareorganizations working for children/elderlies/disabled in
the damaged area for few years.

December【December 2004】Sumatran Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster in the Indian Ocean
On December 26, 2004, a great earthquake of magnitude
9.0 on Richter scale was occurred in the Indian Ocean, andbrought a serious damage on the epicenter and neighborcountries. For the sake of victims, more than 130 million
yen was donated by 7,647 organizations and individuals.
JNCSW made a 5-year support project, and conducted it inthree countries, i.e., Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand incooperation with local social welfare organizations whereex-trainees were working.

IYC Contribution Operation Committee (changed to IYC
Operation Committee in November) was established.
Guideline for Asian Child Welfare Support Project
Promotion was established.

January

International Year for Disabled Persons (IYDP)May

National Caravan Campaigns

1983

April

The 1st Asian Social Welfare Workers’ Training Program waslaunched.

1985

March

Africa-Asia Aid Fund1986

August1988

October

1990

July

The 23rd International Conference on Social
Welfare (Tokyo, Japan)

The earthquake in Baguio (magnitude 7.0 on
Richter scale)1991

A s u p e r t y p h o o n , H a i y a n ( n a m e d Yo l a n d a i n t h ePhilippines) at t acked the Philippines, a nd caused a nimmense damage. More than 7,900 people were killed or
missing. JNCSW called for a donation, and more than 92
m i l l ion yen was donated by 5 , 374 orga n i z at ions a nd
individuals in Japan. JNCSW dispatched its staff members
to the Philippines in 2014 for the survey, and after that,
continued support for several local organizations working
in the damaged areas until 2018, for 5 years.

On April 25, 2015, a great earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on Richter scale was occurred in Nepal. 8,000 people
were killed, and more than 20,000 people were injured. JNCSW, together with Central Community Chest ofJapan, called for a donation, and more than 45 million yen was donated by 3,376 organizations and individuals
in Japan. In June 2016, JNCSW provided financial support for six Japanese NGOs working in damaged areasin Nepal.

05

Japan National Council of Social Welfare 40th Anniversary

2,528 participants from 82 countries and several internationalorganizations joined the Conference (domestic: 1,211, overseas:
1,317).

The 1st Asian Social Welfare Seminar (Tokyo, Japan)

16 trainees/ex-trainees (including 5 trainees) from 6 countries
participated in the Seminar.

Support for the victims in damaged areas
Building of the International Social Welfare Fund

760 million yen was donated (including the contribution fromJNCSW, 300 million yen).

The 2nd Asian Social Welfare Seminar

44 trainees/ex-trainees (including 6 trainees) from 7 countries
participated in the Seminar.

Until 2018, it was held for 23 times.

April

1994

January

1996

October

The 1st Japan-Korea-Taiwan Conference of Non-Governmental
Social Welfare Organization (Tri-Lateral Conference)

NovemberCelebration of the 50th Anniversary of LARA goods

The International Year of the Family (IYF)

The Grant Program for the Ex-Trainees of Asian Social
Welfare Workers’ Training Program was launched.

By 2019, 51.7 million yen in toto was granted to 50 organizationsof 8 countries.

The 3rd Asian Social Welfare Seminar

58 trainees/ex-trainees (including 4 trainees) from 8 countries
participated in the Seminar.

Taiwan Earthquake Disaster Support Project43.7 million yen in toto was remitted to 10 organizations in Taiwan.

The 4th Asian Social Welfare Seminar

60 trainees/ex-trainees (including 5 trainees) from 8 countries
participated in the Seminar.

Fund-raising for the sake of Sumatran Earthquake andTsunami Disaster in the Indian Ocean started.

85.85 million yen was donated to 5 organizations working in 3
countries.

Follow-up Training for Ex-Trainees program started.

By 2018, 18 ex-trainees from 7 countries participated in thisprogram.

The 5th Asian Social Welfare Seminar

63 trainees/ex-trainees (including 5 trainees) from 7 countries
participated in the Seminar.

Regional Seminar of Ex-Trainees (Malaysia)

18 ex-trainees from 5 countries and 2 staff members of JNCSW
participated.

Fund-raising for the sake of Typhoon Yolanda in thePhilippines started.

79.79 million yen was donated to 10 organizations (until 2017).

The 6th Asian Social Welfare Seminar

59 trainees/ex-trainees (including 5 trainees) from 7 countries
participated in the Seminar.

June

Fund-raising for the sake of the earthquake in Nepal
started.

With Central Community Chest of Japan, JNCSW provided
financial support of 36 million yen for 6 Japanese NGOs working
in damaged areas in Nepal in cooperating with Embassy ofJapan in Nepal.

July

Regional Seminar of Ex-Trainees (Thailand)

29 ex-trainees from 5 countries and 2 staff members of JNCSW
participated.

2017

September

Regional Seminar of Ex-Trainees (Indonesia)

24 ex-trainees from 7 countries and 15 members of JNCSW Study
Tour participated.

2019

December

The 7th Asian Social Welfare Seminar

63 trainees/ex-trainees (including 6 trainees) from 7 countries
participated in the Seminar.

1998

August1999

September

2004

AugustDecember

2005

Earthquake in Taiwan (magnitude 7.6 on
Richter scale)

Sumatran Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster in the
Indian Ocean (magnitude 9.0 on Richter scale)February

2008

July

2009

August

2011

March

Care workers and nurses came to Japan (from Indonesia)
on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)

Great East Japan Earthquake (magnitude 9.3
on Richter scale)

December【April 2015】Earthquake in Nepal

By 2019 (36th), 171 trainees from 8 countries completed thetraining program.

Japanese National Committee of the International
Council on Social Welfare (JNC/ICSW) hosted theConference.

1993

1997

【November 2013】Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines

Provided approx. 35 million yen in toto for 9 projects in 7 countries
in three years.
Asian Refugee Children Support Project was conducted.

JNCSW dispatched the first medical team to Sa Kaeo
Refugee Camp in Thailand for the sake of Cambodian
refugees.

December
1981

Raised approx. 180 million yen.

2013

November

2014

September

2015

April

Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines

Earthquake in Nepal

Japan National Council of Social Welfare 40th Anniversary

06