Founded in 1996, Japan NPO Center (JNPOC) acts as a national infrastructure organization for the growing nonprofit sector in Japan. With a variety of programs, JNPOC aims to support the civic activities of Japanese civil society and the growth of its nonprofit sector through the development of NPOs (nonprofit organizations) and NPO intermediaries, and the promotion of collaboration between nonprofits, the government and the private sector.

From the late 1980s to the early 1990s, there was a group of civic activity leaders who believed in the necessity of helping NPOs take root in Japan. As they researched NPO strongholds overseas and continued discussions with the involvement of corporate social contribution coordinators, they became convinced that “centers for the promotion of civic activity must be privately owned and independent from the government.”

Meanwhile, the Great Hanshin Earthquake, which occurred in January 1995, facilitated spontaneous social activities by citizens in what could be called the “first year of volunteers.” NPOs were recognized as a repository for the movement, and this accelerated the path toward the NPO Law.

Amid this background, the establishment of the Japan NPO Center was proposed in December 1995, and the next year, in November 1996, it began as private organization. In 1998, it incorporated as a specified nonprofit corporation (NPO).

Mission

As a national infrastructure organization for the nonprofit sector, the Japan NPO Center:

• - Works to strengthen the social, political and economic support base for voluntary nonprofit organizations in Japan; and
• - Builds new and innovative forms of partnership with the government and the private sector, encouraging them to act as co-creators of robust civil society

Vision

Mid-term Vision (from Japan NPO Center Mid-term Vision 2018-2022)

During the next five years, they will:

• - Strengthen their system to increase and to develop actors for NPOs,
• - Strengthen their collaborative ties with various partners,
• - Learn from the efforts made in regions affected by disasters such as the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and carry out programming based on our learning,
• - Expand their research and policy work, and address issues in the public systems and structures that influence the entire NPO sector,
• - Work on developing symbolic practices and projects where NPOs are offering insights into social problems and/or solving them, and
• - Strengthen their partnerships with NPO support organizations nationwide, and support active local initiatives.