25 Opportunities For Volunteering and Social Good in Japan
By: Robin Lewis
Tags: Charity, Tokyo, Philanthropy, Volunteering, Japan

Volunteer Opportunities

From animal welfare to organic farming, here’s a list of volunteer opportunities for non-Japanese speakers in Japan.

1. Second Harvest Japan

Established in 2002, Second Harvest Japan (2HJ) is the country’s first nationwide food bank. The organisation collects surplus food and provides it directly to those in need. Volunteers can support their work in a number of ways, including preparing and distributing meals (see here).

2. HandsOn Tokyo

HandsOn Tokyo is a nonprofit that matches volunteers with charity events and opportunities to support marginalised children, elderly citizens and other groups in need. Volunteers can pick and choose which activities to take part in by signing up via the organisation’s calendar.

3. Mirai No Mori

Mirai no Mori is a nonprofit that ‘creates life-changing outdoor programs for abused, neglected, and orphaned youths in Japan, supporting their growth into happy and successful young adults’. They are looking for volunteers to support their children’s camps, fundraising events and office work.

4. Tokyo English Lifeline (TELL)

TELL is a nonprofit dedicated to providing effective support and counselling services to Japan’s international community and helping to address mental health care needs, including suicide prevention. The organisation is seeking volunteers to support its LifeLine, fundraising efforts, and office work.

5. Place To Grow

Place To Grow supports the revitalization of Minamisanriku, Miyagi Prefecture; a town devastated by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. PTG provides a space for those affected by the tragedy and connects volunteers with survivors. Find out more here.

6. Run For The Cure

Run For The Cure Japan’s mission is ‘to eradicate breast cancer in Japan as a life-threatening disease through education, timely screening, and treatment’. The organisation is looking for volunteers to help with fundraising events, such as the Tokyo Run, Casino Night, and Pink Beauty Party.

7. Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC)

JVC aims to build peaceful and sustainable societies by running agriculture, education, peacebuilding and disaster relief projects in countries including Cambodia, South Africa and Japan. Volunteers can assist with office work, events and other projects (see here).

8. Ashinaga

Ashinaga provides educational and psychological support to orphaned children worldwide. The organisation is looking for volunteers to assist with fundraising, events and other projects, including their Tsudoi summer camps.

9. Peace Boat

Established in 1983, Peace Boat promotes peace, human rights, and sustainability. The organisation operates around-the-world, educational voyages on a passenger vessel several times a year. The NGO recruits volunteer interpreters and language teachers, as well as interns in their Tokyo office (see here). The organisation also coordinates disaster relief opportunities for non-Japanese speakers in some post-disaster situations.

10. Refugees International Japan (RIJ)

RIJ is a nonprofit that funds projects for people displaced by conflict around the world. The organisation supports projects that provide opportunities for people to lead independent lives and is seeking volunteers to organise and run fundraising activities to support these initiatives.

11. WWOOF Japan

WorldWide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is ‘a movement linking visitors with organic farmers and growers to promote cultural and educational experiences based on trust and non-monetary exchange’. There are over 400 hosts nationwide looking for help on their organic farms!

12. Beach & City Clean-ups

Several organisations run clean-ups for both English and Japanese speakers. For example, see SEGO Initiative (Fujisawa Beach Cleaning Project) and Tokyo River Friends (Edogawa, Tokyo). Also, Social Innovation Japan organises “Plogging” events (jogging and picking up rubbish) in Tokyo.

13. Animal Refuge Kansai (ARK)

ARK is a nonprofit ‘forming a network of people who love animals, believe in sharing their lives with them, and work actively to rescue them from suffering’. There are opportunities to volunteer in Tokyo and Osaka.

14. NICE

NICE (Never-ending International WorkCamps Exchange) was founded in 2002 to “rise to the challenge of meeting the ever-increasing needs from communities for targeted projects and motivated volunteers”. The group organises volunteer experiences to support local initiatives, from conservation to education, around the country. Find their updated list of projects here.

15. Chokkura Home Stay

NPO Chokkura Home Stay provides homestays for Japanese children who are not able to go abroad for financial reasons. The organisation is looking for foreign families living in Japan who are willing to open up their homes to Japanese youngsters and provide them with a unique homestay experience.