The Japan Foundation Prizes for Global Citizenship (2012)

The Japan Foundation Prizes for Global Citizenship was established in 1985 to support organizations that endeavor to strengthen networks among citizens both inside and outside Japan, and share the knowledge, information, and know-how through intercultural exchange.The Japan Foundation Prizes for Global Citizenship was established under the name of "The Prizes for the Promotion of Community-Based Cultural Exchange." However in keeping with change of trend that international cultural exchange became more active, "The Prizes for the Promotion of Community-Based Cultural Exchange" changed its name to "The Japan Foundation Prizes for Community-Based Cultural Exchange" in 2004 and has been named as "The Japan Foundation Prizes for Global Citizenship" since 2005.

In 2012 following 3 organizations among 79 nominated candidates granted the award. Award recipients are presented a certificate and an extra prize of 2 million yen.

Awardees (in geographical order)

NPO Japan Association for Refugees

(Shinjuku City, Tokyo)
Representative
Yoshiyuki Nakamura (Representative Director)
Year of Establishment
1999
Website
https://www.refugee.or.jp/ External link
Image picture of NPO Japan Association for Refugees

<Activity Outline>
This association provides legal support for refugee status recognition procedures to refugees coming to Japan, livelihood assistance to meet their emergency needs such as medical care, food and housing, and comprehensive support to secure their independence, including offering job assistance and teaching Japanese language. It also makes policy recommendations and conducts public relations activities to establish a refugee protection system. In addition to these activities for refugees, it implements reconstruction assistance for areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and offers support to foreign residents in the affected areas who settle down in Japan, based on their experience accumulated through refugee relief activities.
(* Fifth awardee from Tokyo, latest in 2011)

<Reasons for the Prize>
How we help foreigners integrate into our community and realize multicultural coexistence is a pivotal issue for Japanese society. Meanwhile, refugees who wish to settle down in Japan engage in volunteer activities in the affected areas to contribute to local communities, despite their fragile ties with local communities in Japan. The activities of this association that connect refugees with their communities can be said to be of great significance in thinking together about Japan’s future.

NPO Terra Renaissance

(Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture)
Representative
Shingo Ogawa (Director)
Year of Establishment
2001
Website
https://www.terra-r.jp/index.html External link
Image picture of NPO Terra Renaissance

<Activity Outline>
Aiming to create a society in which all living creatures can live with security, the association is engaged in diverse activities such as de-mining support in Cambodia, village development in areas where landmines have been buried, education for avoiding landmines, rehabilitation support for former child soldiers in Uganda and the Congo, and illegal trade control of small arms. In Japan, it performs peace education activities through lectures and workshops as well as conducts the “Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko (Quilt) Project,” a recovery support activity for areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
(* Fourth Awardee from Kyoto Prefecture, latest in 2006)

<Reasons for the Prize>
Considered to be far away from Japan, Africa is getting very important for us. We acclaim that Japanese young people have taken the lead in providing support for young people in Africa, who are placed in a difficult situation, and have conducted various support activities in Cambodia, while obtaining financial and other support from the general public through activities of the association. Moreover, it launched the “Sashiko” project, making use of traditional quilting techniques in Aomori and Iwate Prefectures, with the aim to achieve economic independence in areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. We believe that this project is also highly significant.

Pedal Sewing Machine Volunteer Club, Oita National College of Technology

(Oita City, Oita Prefecture)
Representative
Yuka Goto (Then- Leader)
Year of Establishment
2003
Website
http://www.oita-ct.ac.jp/other/project/sewing.html External link
Image picture of Pedal Sewing Machine Volunteer Club, Oita National College of Technology

<Activity Outline>
As volunteer activities driven by students, club members provide livelihood and job support for local people in Southeast Asian countries by fixing pedal sewing machines that have become disused in Japan through use of Japan’s manufacturing technology and then donating them to poor people in those countries. In addition, they visit places where pedal sewing machines had been donated before to fix broken machines on site and provide guidance so local people can fix them for themselves by referring to repair manuals translated into the local language.
(* First Awardee from Oita Prefecture)

<Reasons for the Prize>
We saw that club members at Oita National College of Technology have grown through their volunteer activities, in which they make use of their manufacturing and repair technologies, with the support from local people who donated pedal sewing machines to them. We also appreciate that they have learned about the cultures and histories of Southeast Asian countries through their activities, providing independence support and job assistance for local residents.

What We Do