To foster social change in Japan and
actively contribute to creating society
where women take initiatives and are heard.
History
In December 2012, the Fellows formed the JWLI Association (JWLIA), a Tokyo-based voluntary group led by dedicated volunteer staff, with a mission to share the knowledge, learning and experience of JWLI to other women leaders in Japan. JWLIA plays a central role in Japan to connect the JWLI fellows who are in various locations geographically and in fields such as domestic and international nonprofits, social welfare, education and the private sector. JWLIA provides the Fellows with opportunities for support and collaboration as well as mutual education through workshops, symposiums and study sessions. Working closely with the JWLI Boston team, JWLIA provides crucial support in Japan before and after the Boston program.
Activities in Japan
- To support the JWLI recruitment process throughout the year in the areas of publicity, candidate screening, hosting an orientation and a reporting event in Tokyo, preparing a final report.
- To support members to continue their philanthropic activities.
- To plan and organize workshops and symposiums to achieve the mission
- To provide leadership training programs to empower Japanese women to become leaders in every field
JWLIA Leadership
2017~
- Mito Ikemizu, 2014
- Megumi Ishimoto, 2014
- Yumiko Nagai, 2014
- Shoko Tanaka, 2013
- Junko Tsuda, 2015
2012~2017
- Keiko Sakurai, 2010 Fellow – Representative Director (代表)
- Hisae Segawa, 2009 Fellow – Finance (会計)
- Miyako Fujinami, 2009 Fellow – Marketing and PR (広報)
- Makiko Niwa, 2010 Fellow – Audit (監査)
JWLIA Fund
History
The JWLI Association (JWLIA) has received generous grants from Bloomingdale’s in Boston. In order to make full use of these grants, JWLIA set up the JWLIA Fund to support small, women-led nonprofit organizations in Japan. In 2014, JWLIA selected six organizations and offered each project a grant of 100,000 YEN (approximately $1000) from the JWLIA Fund. In 2015, two organizations received these grants.
Mission
JWLIA Fund supports small, women-led nonprofit organizations in Japan to continue their activities of social changes. JWLIA Fund focuses on supporting:
- Women leaders
- Activities for serving people affected by the Tohoku disaster
- Small organizations with financial struggles
Donors
Grantees
〈 2019〉
kuriya
While migrant youths in Japan have great potentials to connect Japan to the world, they tend to dropout from high schools due to various obstacles. One of the most common obstacles is lack of accesses to the information about academic opportunities. The JWLIA fund will be used for conducting research on the types of information that would be useful for migrant youths and putting them together into an accessible medium, such as a website.
外国籍の子供や若者は母国と日本の文化を知り、世界と日本をつなぐことができる一方で、高校に入学しても様々な理由から、中退という選択を取ってしまうことがある。その理由の一つとして、進路や教育、生活などの情報の乏しさが考えられる。今回のJWLIA寄付金は、外国籍の高校生が必要としている情報を調査し、彼らが理解しやすい形にまとめ、webサイトなどのアクセスしやすい媒体で発信を行うために使用される。
Website: http://kuriya.co
Chaibora
Staff shortage at child care facilities is a serious problem in Japan. Since its establishment in 2018, Chaibora has been connecting child care facilities around the country and those who are interested in working for them. Chaibora aims to provide children in need with necessary care.
Despite the staff shortage, people who are interested in working at those facilities have hard time finding job openings. By using the JWLIA fund, Chaibora will create a website summarizing information related to job openings and job fairs.
2018年に設立された非営利活動法人チャイボラは、全国の社会的養護施設とそれに関心がある人をつなぐことで、圧倒的な職員不足を解消する事業を中心とし、「子供一人ひとりが大切に育てられる世の中」作りに寄与することを目的とし活動している。
児童養護施設をはじめとした社会的養護施設の多くは、圧倒的な人材不足という課題を抱えている。しかし、各施設の見学会や就職説明会に関する情報を取りまとめている媒体は一切なく、そもそも何処に施設があるのか、いつ何処で就職説明会を実施しているのか把握できず、就職希望者ですら施設と接点を持つことが困難な状況にある。同団体は寄付金を利用して、全国の社会的養護施設を対象とし（現在は都内中心）、施設のPRや見学会、就職説明会、その他イベント情報を取りまとめたサイトを作成し、施設に関心のある人と施設の接点を高め、働き手を増やそうと活動している。
Website: https://chabonavi.jp/
〈 2018 〉
Yuyake Kodomo Shokudo
Yuyake Kodomo Shokudo (meaning “evening cafeteria for kids”) was established in December 2014 in Nerima, Tokyo. Twice a month, the organization provides nutritional dinner. This is also a welcoming community for children from single-mother households. Additionally, the organization offers study sessions to children whose parent(s) cannot afford them going to prep schools. Anyone can come to dinner, not just the children from single-mother households; the organization aims to establish a community with diverse people, not just the ones from the under served communities. The elderlies who live alone and young people also participate in the dinner events, making a home-like atmosphere.
Recently, the number of participants in Kodomo Shokudo has been increasing. The donation will be used for purchasing additional kitchenware and text books and paying commuting fees to the volunteers. Additionally, the organization is planning to host outdoor activities to strengthen the relationships between the participants.
2014年12月に設立された石神井ゆうやけ子ども食堂では、シングルマザーの家庭の子供たちや独身者を支援するために、月に二回夕食を提供する。また、塾に行けない子供たち、授業についていけない子供たちのための勉強会を行う。誰でも参加できるというルールは、子ども食堂の中でもめずらしく、ミッションとしては「貧しい人々のみ参加できる」ということではないコミュニティー作りをめざしている。最も多い参加者は、やはりシングルマザーの家庭の親子であるが、独居のお年を召した方々や若者も参加するようになってきており、年代を超えた和やかな交流の場所となっている。
近年、子ども食堂参加者がだんだんと増加している。寄付金は、増加している人数に合わせるための調理器具や勉強会で使用されるドリル代、ボランティアへの交通費の補助、そして、子ども食堂参加者たちの交流を深めるための野外活動に使用される。
GDM Fukushima
GDM Fukushima, which was established in January 2018, is an organization that aims to create a connection between the local people and the local agriculture. On March 11, 2011, when the earthquake hit Tohoku, residents of Namie city, Fukushima, had to evacuate quickly. Since after the evacuation order was lifted, convenience stores have been the only places where people could buy groceries. To get fresh produce, people in Namie city have to travel to the city nearby. Currently farming in Namie city is on a trial period, and it will take more time until people can go back to the original lifestyle. The organization was established after some nonprofits and the city hall of Namie consulted with the founder of GDM Fukushima whether they could start a new service so that people who cannot travel to the adjacent city, such as elderlies, can have easier access to fresh produce.
The organization participates in various events from operating farmers markets to hosting agriculture-related events. In addition, GDM Fukushima also offers vegetable delivery services to Fukushima Station and Namie city. The grant will be to fund the delivery service and for GDM Fukushima to travel 50 miles to Namie city.
2018年1月に設立されたGDMふくしまは、地産地消で地域の人が地域の農業を支えられる仕組みを福島でつくることを目指す。2017年3月31日に帰還困難区域を残して避難指示解除になった浪江町にはコンビニしかなく、生鮮食料品を買うには隣町まで行かなければならない。町内での農作物の栽培は現在、試験栽培の段階で、復旧までにまだまだ時間がかかる。役場の単身者向けの野菜セットや、隣町まで買い物に行くのが難しいお年寄りのための野菜を平日販売できないか、浪江町で活動するNPOと浪江町役場から相談を受けたのが設立のきっかけ。
生産者が直接販売する直産市場の運営から食や農業に関するイベントまで、活動内容は幅広い。福島駅前マーケットの主催や浪江町役場前での出張野菜販売などを行う。同団体は福島県福島市にあり、寄付金は、福島と浪江間を行き来するための交通費に使われる。
〈 2016 〉
Aozora Roudoku
Aozora Roudoku provides an online library of audibly read book. Initially, begun and read by professional announcers, the library has now expanded to include works read by those in the midst of learning professional audible reading.
- The audio books are handy in special education classes
- The Board of Education inquired about the possibility of making audio books into CD and to use it as a teaching material
- Elderly volunteers tend to contribute to making long videos, while professionals contribute to make short videos
- The organization has been working on a development of a software that link letters and readings.
- Planning to increase the variation of fairy tales. There is a need to increase the number of volunteers as well. Would like to use JWLIA Fund for buying recording tools, creating marketing materials for fundraising, and creating a user-friendly website.
インターネット上の図書館「青空文庫」の作品を朗読する「青空朗読」は、プロのアナウンサーによる社会貢献活動としてスタートし、最近は、朗読を学ぶ一般の方々からも作品を提供していただいています。2016年5月に一般社団法人となりました。
- 支援学級で、作品が重宝されてる。
- 教育委員会CD－化可否問い合わせ教材として使いたいという要望がある。
- 高齢の方のボランティアは長編作品に協力、プロは短編が多い。文字と朗読を連動させるソフト開発等もおこなってる。
- 童話や名作の作品を増やす予定。
- 朗読ボランティアも増やす必要がある。
- そのために録音機器購入、支援金集めのための広報ツール作成、利用しやすくするためにウエブサイトの改良などに、JWLIA基金くを使いたい。
Edible Schoolyard Japan
Edible Schoolyard Project, founded in 1995, aims to connect the experience of school to the real, lived experience of their students by prioritizing access to healthy foods integral in having a strong start at school and in life.
- Aiwa Elementary School, a model business, is located in Tama New Town. In this school district, 30-40% are single parent households or households on welfare. Many students are eating meals alone.
- After consulting repeatedly with the Board of Education, it started as a model business in 2014. Aiwa Elementary School currently is the only eligible school in Japan. The school does not have PTA.
- Creating a curriculum with the teachers to teach kids circulation of resources and symbiosis in nature.
- Need JWLIA Fund for dispatching lecturers with expertise and qualification to teach as an instructor.
私たちエディブル・スクールヤード・ジャパン（ESYJ）は、学校の校庭にエディブル・スクールヤード＝食育菜園を建設し、菜園を学びの場（教室）に変え、子どもたちのこころと手（体）そして頭（考える）をつなげ、食を通じて自然界と生命（いのち）のつながりを体験的に学ぶエディブル教育の実践を、公立校を含む教育機関への普及を目的に活動しています。すべての子どもたちが受けられるよう、国語、算数、理科、歴史、芸術などの必修科目と連携する学習ビジョンと手法を共有し、広げていきます。
- モデル事業をしている愛和小学校は多摩にゅータウンにあり、この学区では、３０－４０％がシングルマザーや生保対象などの家庭で、生徒は日常的に孤食が多い様子。
- 教育委員会とも検討を重ね、モデル事業として２０１４年に開始。愛和小学校（公立）が日本で現在唯一の事業対象学校。また当学校はPTAがない。
- 生命の循環と共生を学ぶ、教科横断型のカリキュラムを教育と協働で作成。
- 専門知識と資格（エディブルスクールヤードの指導者としての資格）をつ講師を派遣する必要があり、その経費にJWLI基金を使いたい。
〈 2015 〉
Women’s Eye
Women’s Eye, a nonprofit organization based in Miyagi, was established immediately after the Tohoku disaster in 2011. This grassroots organization supports women to become active in rebuilding their own lives and communities in Tohoku.
The grant was used to host events in Sendai on November 28th and 29th, 2015. The events focused on supporting single mothers facing significant financial difficulties while trying to rebuild their lives following the disaster. The specific activities at the events were:
- Exploring the current situations and issues surrounding single mother households in Tohoku
- Learning from successful cases where single mothers achieved financial stability.
- Providing resources to find jobs.
- Supporting women who were suffering or have suffered from domestic violence.
- Providing wellness and health tips and resources, including mental health.
- Connecting women with legal resources.
SP Japan
SP Japan, established in Tokyo in 2014, aims to foster social, community-based parenting. Their approach encourages the healthy growth of all children by bringing together people with and without kids through various activities. SP Japan uses stitching and quilting as a tool to bring women together to create dialogue and cultivates an environment of mutual support. Through stitching and quilting workshops, people can exchange ideas, experiences, and advice on parenting. They also provide a space for expecting mothers and/or mothers of newborn babies to enjoy conversations on concerns of childbirth and childcare. For women who had stillbirths, the organization provides support systems to help them overcome their losses.
This grant was used to support activities that brought together expecting and experienced parents:
- To open a café in a new location and use this café to host stitching and quilting events.
- To increase the number of hospitals with stitching and quilting workshops for their patients to gather and to create a sense of community.
- To create stitching and quilting pieces to commemorate stillborn children.
- To implement stitching and quilting events at hospitals in Tohoku.
〈 2014 〉
Yunomi Kai “With Us Project”
Established in Tokyo, Yunomi Kai manages and hosts study groups on various topics. In May of 2011, they started a project called “With Us Project” to help the recovery process of Tohoku. The With Us Project supports two activities in the devastated region:
- Revival of seaweed aquaculture at the Utatsuyoriki area of Minami-Sanriku in Miyagi Prefecture.
- Research of radiation exposure conducted done by Team Mamabeku, a volunteering mothers’ group at Iwaki City in Fukushima Prefecture.
The grant supported an event called Tarachine, held on July 5th, 2014 at the Iwaki Radiation Measurement Center in partnership with the Iwaki Radiation Measurement. This event reported on the following three areas:
- Overall levels of radiation exposure.
- Research by Team Mamabeku measuring radiation levels at 30 schools in Iwaki City.
- The status of decontamination of radiation.
KAFIN
KAFIN was founded originally to empower Filipino immigrants in Japan. Its service is now extended to other foreign wives to provide spaces where they feel comfortable to share their concerns and challenges, while also collectively searching for solutions and ideas. The group’s main activities are:
- Run a hotline for Filipino women who are married to Japanese men to share information and provide referrals for resources. Many wives from the Philippines tend to live with their Japanese parents-in-law. Due to cultural differences and language barriers these women live under tremendous pressure, and often have trouble communicating with their Japanese husbands and in-laws. This hotline also helps advise women with issues of raising children and/or domestic violence.
- Organize workshops on topics among the Filipino immigrant women such as stress management, and health and wellness. For instance, ten workshops were held in Tohoku, including five in Iwate, two in Miyagi, and three in Fukushima. These workshops explored topics including stress management and health examinations. The workshops also helped children in the Tohoku area through art therapy.
- Established other weekend classes for Filipino mothers and their children. In class Filipino mothers learn local laws, regulations and health management techniques so they can be confident about being independent. These classes alsoteach their children about the Filipino culture.
The fund was used to host events in Tohoku. In July 2014, KAFIN held a workshop in Fukushima about stress management, raising multiracial children, and group counseling for domestic violence. Similar workshops on the same topics were held in September and October 2014 in Miyagi.
Women’s Will Gunma
Women’s Will Gunma was established to promote active civic engagement of women in Gunma. The group formed when a few women attended a class to learn how to promote women’s political participation in Gunma’s prefectural government. This class was hosted by following the Basic Law for Gender Equal Society enacted in Japan. Women’s Will Gunmahas been deeply involved in the following activities to promote a society where women have equal political representation:
- Set up projects and workshops to promote active civic engagement.
- Make recommendations to the prefectural government about designating more women to become committee members for governmental councils.
- Host workshops for women on career development and job readiness.
- Offer lectures by former female cabinet members on successful women’s leadership.
- Organize various events about gender equality.
With the grant, Women’s Will Gunma held a lecture to support Tohoku on November 8th, 2014 in partnership with Gunma Fuyu Kai, another women’s organization in Gunma. The lecturer spoke about the reconstruction of the oyster farming industry and its importance for the region’s economy. Many women in the Tohoku region rely on this industry for part-time income and to contribute to their families’ financial stability.
I am OK
I am OK was started by a woman whose child was diagnosed with a mild developmental challenge. She created the I am OK program in order to provide services, classes, and social skill training for children who experience developmental challenges. The organization seeks to improve communication, build teamwork, and provide a fun space for children enrolled in the program. Mothers have also gotten involved by taking part in managing these activities.
The grant was used to offer transportation for children and accompanying teachers participating in a two-night camp program. The camp offered activities to encourage children to grow, be independent, and to learn.
Friends of the World
Friends of the World is an organization based in Chiba that has various programs empowering parents to become more confident in raising their children. The programs include:
- Establish the Baby Visiting Program in which public health workers and nurses visit households with babies up to 2 months old.
- Provide multilingual and multicultural services to help Thai, Chinese, and English speaking mothers to communicate their concerns with public health nurses.
The grant was used to establish the Baby Visiting Program. The program aims to:
- Continue providing free baby visiting services.
- Assist in covering the transportation costs for volunteers to approach mothers who are Thai, Chinese, and Caucasian.
Community Salon Hana
Project HANA was established after the passing of a flower arrangement teacher, in whose memory her home was renovated into a community center for residents in Kitami city, Hokkaido with purposes of strengthening local neighborhood relations.
The grant was used to create a place for people to gather and serve as a community for the elderly living alone. Specifically, the grant was used to:
- Establish a gathering place for local residents, regardless of age and gender.
- Host activities for the community such as flower arranging, calligraphy, and tea parties.
Materials
Events
- May 27, 2017 – Talk by Akiko Kuno
- November 12, 2016 – Reporting by 2016 Fellows
- September 04, 2016 – Talk by Masako Hiramatsu, 2007 Fellow
- July 23, 2016 – Reporting by JWLIA-Fund 2015 grantees
- February 27, 2016 – Talk by 2015 Fellows
- November 7, 2015 – Reporting by 2015 Fellows
- September 26, 2015 – Workshop on radiation in Fukushima
- July 12, 2015 – Reporting by JWLIA-Fund 2014 grantees
- March 29, 2015 – Talk by Yuka Matsushima, 2014 Fellow
- November 8, 2014 – Reporting by 2014 Fellows
- October 19, 2014 – Workshop on nonprofit operation 101
- June 14, 2014 – Workshop “Design that changes society”
- June 6, 2014 – Workshop on children in Tohoku
- April 19, 2014 – Workshop “First, Lead Yourself”
- March 1, 2014 – Talk on public health in developing countries
- November 9, 2013 – Reporting by 2013 Fellows