Campaign Ended: [OFP New Business Support Donation Campaign] Harnessing the Power of Our Community to Foster Meaningful Connections for More People - From Small, Joyful Relationships to a More Tolerant Society as a Whole -

"I heard that kid speaks harshly."

My daughter said this about a foreign classmate. She added, "She says rude stuff, so the other kids don't like her. She doesn't have any friends."

After thinking for a moment, I asked my daughter.

"If you use incorrect Japanese or a bit rough language, your mom or dad will tell you, 'It's better not to say it that way.' But what if that child's mom or dad doesn't know Japanese? They might not even realize how that child is speaking. That child might not have any chance to correct themselves at all."

In that moment, my daughter's face lit up with realization, and she quietly nodded saying "Oh...yeah."

This exchange between a parent and children may seem like just ordinary conversation at home. However, we believe this is a challenge that resonates throughout our society. People often hastily conclude, "That's why foreigners..." after observing a certain behavior superficially , without trying to understand the person's background or reasoning. We feel that this tendency is a widespread phenomenon across Japan.

The truth is, behind many instances of “not being able to do something” lies the reality of “not having the chance to learn.” Without knowledge, someone doesn’t even have the opportunity to improve. At the same time, many Japanese people who wish foreign residents would better understand Japanese culture and customs rarely have opportunities to convey these things.

Why don’t these opportunities for mutual understanding exist? That’s because we haven’t built relationships where dialogue can happen.

Through our activities with the OFP program, we’ve realized that many of the difficulties foreign residents face living in Japan, as well as the anxieties and misunderstandings Japanese people feel toward foreigners, stem from a lack of understanding. Bridging these gaps in knowledge requires more than language skills or support—it requires building “dialogue-based relationships.”

The newly launched platform aims to expand "dialouge-based relationships" by going beyond solving everyday challenges through support.

We are confident that this platform as a first of its kind in Japan will bring a new form of mutual support to society . We will transform the divisions that arise from mutual "ignorance" into a future where we know, understand, and live together. We aim to fill the gaps in society that cannot be covered by government or business with the collective efforts of everyone. As a "investment in the future" towards the realization of a truly symbiotic society that only JII can achieve, we would greatly appreciate your consideration of making a donation.

Please help us in making this dream a reality.

This time, we would like to share more specifically what can be achieved with the newly established "Spot Otonari-san Platform," which focuses on solving the everyday challenges faced by foreign residents, and how it differs from the Otonari-san Family Friend Program (OFP).

These are the voices of foreign residents living in Japan.

"I received a notice about my child's vaccinations from the city office, but I didn't know that I could choose a clinic and make the appointment myself. A Japanese friend taught me how to do it, and I was able to successfully make the appointment."

The procedures at the government office are complicated, and most of the documents and processes are in Japanese. Having a Japanese friend accompany me was incredibly reassuring, and everything went smoothly. It would have been difficult to manage alone.

Thanks to my Japanese friend who inquired at the city office about the application for my child's enrollment in preschool, I was able to confirm the complex requirements and successfully enroll.

"In my country, when visiting a clinic, I first go to the general medicine department, and based on my symptoms, I am directed to the appropriate specialty. In Japan, I have to decide which department to go to myself, and when my child showed symptoms of atopy, I couldn't determine whether to go to pediatrics or dermatology. However, a Japanese friend helped me a lot by explaining that if it's clearly a skin condition, I should go to dermatology."

"When my son, who couldn't speak Japanese, was 11 years old, our family moved to Japan. Since both my partner and I were working, we struggled to find a place for our child. We were informed about after-school programs, but he didn't meet the age requirements to enroll. A Japanese acquaintance introduced us to another group where we could leave our child. There, my son made friends and was able to enjoy life. If we hadn't found that, I believe both the child and the parents would have felt much more stressed."

What may seem like ordinary daily matters to Japanese people can be challenging for foreign residents due to differences in language and social systems. Thanks to the connections with those who offered help, my stagnant daily life has started to move forward.

◆ Utilizing the Wisdom of Local Residents is a Feature of JII
In Japan's foreigner support policies, there is a tendency for government and experts to try to provide special services for foreigners. While multilingual support, opportunities for learning Japanese, and assistance for those in need are all important, there is a significant blind spot in these efforts.

When foreign residents face difficulties, they typically consult family first, followed by Japanese friends and acquaintances, and then foreign friends and acquaintances, which together account for 70-80% of their sources of support. For those without family, friends and acquaintances become the primary source of advice. Consultion with organizations, government agencies, or private groups comes later (R5 Immigration Bureau Survey).

In the society where we are born and raised, everyone lives supported by a network of family, friends, and acquaintances. However, for foreign residents living away from their familiar networks, what is lacks most is the connection with people and the real experiences and information about that society.

Most of the everyday challenges faced by foreigners are not areas that require professional expertise. What might seem routine for Japanese people can be significant hurdles for foreigners, each one presenting its own set of difficulties. Instead of being resolved, these issues often become more complex, leading to an increase in problems. As a result, more and more foreigners find themselves feeling "stuck" and "isolated," unable to ask anyone for help.

Such situations can be improved with connections to Japanese individuals who have extensive experience living in Japan.

We believe that foreign residents should not be confined to a world of only foreigners. If only the government and specialized support organizations serve as a safety net, foreign residents will remain difficult to integrate into Japanese society. By building connections within the general community and receiving help, they can gain a sense of security and develop the skills to solve problems on their own. When Japanese people assist foreigners with their challenges, it fosters direct engagement, personal bonds, and the joy of discovering new things for both parties.
Do you not think that engaging as individuals and deepening mutual understanding is the true form of Cultural synergy and a powerful driving force for creating a rich, harmonious society?

◆ Shall we create a future of coexistence together?
Through four years of OFP activities, we have realized that there are many Japanese people who want to support foreigners.

With that support, we have gained experience in solving the challenges faced by foreign residents and providing assistance to refugees.
This platform is designed to further expand the circle of mutual support that has been limited until now.
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[A Project Specializing in Solving the Everyday Problems of Foreign Residents: "Spot Otonari-san Platform"]
〜Those who can, offering as much help as they can, whenever they can.〜 *You can also understand the differences with OFP.

・A system that connects foreigners in need of assistance with Japanese individuals who can provide help on a one-time basis.
・There is no fixed duration of six months
A new way for foreign residents to find trustworthy people to help solve their problems.
・Clear tasks to assist (limited to welfare, childcare and education, healthcare, and living infrastructure)
・Foreigners will be able to resolve everyday problems more quickly than before.
Through concrete support experiences, Japanese people gain an understanding of the challenges faced by foreign residents and develop a more multifaceted perspective on society.
・If both parties are compatible, you can apply for an OFP pair.
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I believe this new initiative will be a significant step toward creating a society where we can all live with peace of mind.

Regarding the use of your donation,
- 500,000: You can start receiving support for short-term problem-solving by applying through the website.
- 1 million: By applying through the website, we can support 170 individuals annually with short-term problem-solving assistance.
・1.5 million: This covers the costs for programming design of the IT platform and server setup.
・2 million: Complete the IT platform and provide support for 300 people within a year.

By having capable individuals provide a little assistance when they can, many issues can actually be resolved. The more opportunities there are to deepen mutual understanding between Japanese and foreign residents, the more a society where everyone can live comfortably, rather than one filled with conflict and misunderstanding, will be formed.

We would be very encouraged if you could support our ideas as well.

Support starting from the cost of a single lunch is also possible.
We sincerely appreciate your support.