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JII Partners (Monthly
Supporters Wanted!
Your support fosters new "dialogue" instead of conflict
From"Shared Understanding",
Society Can Be Changed
With approximately 3.95 million foreigners living in Japan today, the reality is still not fully understood.
City, train, supermarket, school.
We still don't know much about the foreigners nearby—their backgrounds, why they are in Japan, and how they feel living here.
In Japan, where the population is declining, the number of foreign residents is increasing, and now about 3.95 million people live in Japan. While they strive to live as members of society, there is still a reality where they are not fully accepted.
"I don't know how to start a conversation"
"It feels troublesome because I don't really understand the culture."
"Scary because they look different"
— You might feel that way and end up avoiding getting involved.
It’s completely natural to feel confused or uneasy when encountering different cultures, values, or appearances. However, if we leave that “distance” as it is, misunderstandings and conflicts can arise.
The First Step to Coexistence Begins with "Shared Understanding"
For Japanese society, living together with new residents requires dialogue. However, currently, opportunities for individuals to connect, understand each other, and engage in dialogue are very limited.
Even a small conversation can change how we see and feel about others. That’s why we want to foster a society that begins not with conflict, but with dialogue.
We believe this is the first step toward people from diverse cultures living together harmoniously.
We create spaces where foreign residents and Japanese people can connect
Our mission is to make it easier for foreign residents to feel at home in Japan.
To achieve this, we engage in activities that connect foreign residents and Japanese people, fostering mutual understanding little by little.
What emerges through our activities are moments of "shared understanding" found in everyday life.
"I was a little scared to talk with Japanese people at first, but now I've made friends I can laugh with."
"Talking with someone from another country was much more enjoyable and made me feel they were closer than I had imagined."
Someone changes their perspective, and someone feels accepted—
These "shared understandings" gradually make society a kinder place.
Please join us in taking that first step to expand the circle of dialogue!
For those who wish to receive tax benefits through donation deductions,
Give One - Please consider making a donation
Otonari-san Family Friend Program: Creating Conversations
We connect foreigners living in Japan with local residents to create moments of "shared understanding" between foreigners and Japanese people"Otonari-san Family Friend Program" is operated by us.
A foreign resident and a Japanese partner gently share their daily lives with each other over the course of six months.
Talking about each other's countries, consulting on child-rearing, going shopping, and experiencing seasonal events together.
Gradually, you will start to see them not as a "foreigner" in your imagination, but as your very own Otonari-san, your neighbor right next door.
We are also expanding opportunities for foreign residents and local community members to connect in various ways. For example, volunteers provide one-time support to foreign residents facing daily life challenges. Spot Otonari-san We provide assistance with accompanying you during procedures and language support.
"Hanamaru Class" Supporting the Learning of Children with International Roots
For Children with Roots Abroad in Hanamaru Class, volunteers help children enjoy learning to read and write Japanese. Many foreign families are unable to teach Japanese literacy at home, so we support these children who may face challenges in the future and help build their confidence for school life in Japan.
"Daily Life Consultation Service" Collaborating with Experts to Solve Everyday Life Challenges Together
Also, "Daily Life Consultation ServiceWe collaborate with various experts to address and resolve the challenging issues faced by foreign residents.
Each of these initiatives"Getting to know each other and understanding one another" forms the foundation for nurturing a society of cultural synergy.
To expand this foundation to more regions and people, continuous support is essential.
Your step expands the circle of "shared understanding"
Your support helps create more opportunities for foreign residents to feel at home in Japan, providing someone with their first sense of security and comforting connections.
Shall we nurture a future of gentle coexistence where everyone can live with peace of mind?
For those who wish to receive tax benefits through donation deductions,
Give One - Please consider making a donation
Participant Feedback
We have received many comments from people who have participated in our activities.
Thanks to Otonari-san, I gained confidence in speaking Japanese and through meals and conversations, I was able to learn more about Japanese culture" (Male in his 40s, USA / Otonari-san Family Friend Program)
“Sharing meals and chatting about hobbies like watching movies gave me new perspectives and learning opportunities, making it a very stimulating and meaningful experience.” (Woman in her 30s, China / Otonari-san Family Friend Program)
"They were truly reliable, supporting us from booking a nursery school tour to the enrollment procedures afterward." (Couple in their 30s, Canada / Spot Otonari-san)
"I really appreciate the careful guidance on things parents can't teach, it has been a great help" (Woman in her 40s, USA / Hanamaru Class)
Other foreign participants' experiences can be found hereHere
Volunteer ExperiencesHere
Support Messages
Many foreigners live in Japan, and whether on the way to work or at shops, it’s rare not to see someone from abroad. While I often wonder, “Where are they from?” or “What kind of life do they lead?” and feel curious about different cultures, in my daily life, I rarely have opportunities to actually talk or interact with them. It takes courage to start a conversation, and without a chance to connect, we just pass by each other. That’s where the Otonari-san Project becomes a great help. Starting from small encounters between individuals, it fosters communication with reliable support, eventually creating mutual understanding that transcends race and language. I truly believe it’s a wonderful project, and I wholeheartedly support the growth of the connections born here.
Theater Unit Sin Titulo Representative, Sumiko Tamuro
When I lived abroad myself, the local people were incredibly kind to me. The "Otonari-san" program, which connects people from overseas with locals in Japan, is a wonderful initiative that was long overdue. I am confident it will create many more moments where both visitors and hosts say, "I'm glad I came to Japan" and "I'm glad you came to Japan." I fully support this effort!!
"Making working in Japan enjoyable and creating a new Japan: A gathering of the multicultural co-creation network" Organizer: Kei Suzuki
In an era where 1 in 20 Tokyo residents is a foreigner, many "foreign nationals" live right in our local communities. But how often do "foreigners" and "Japanese" truly get to know each other as individuals in their daily lives? To create a community where everyone coexists, it is essential to meet people from diverse backgrounds within the neighborhood, deepen mutual understanding, and build meaningful relationships. For this to happen, it becomes increasingly important for each of us to take an interest, participate, and take action. JII’s initiatives, including the Otonari-san Family Friend Program, embody citizen participation and equality based on the real experiences of foreign residents. These pioneering efforts are exactly what is needed today. We encourage you to continue expanding these activities to reach even more people. We support you wholeheartedly.
Tokyo Volunteer & Civic Activity Center Reiko Mori
The Otonari-san Project is a heartfelt initiative grounded in reality, aimed at building a truly inclusive society. By providing support from the perspective of fellow community members to those who have just arrived in Japan from abroad, it offers immense peace of mind to newcomers and creates opportunities for Japanese residents to connect with their new neighbors right from the start. We sincerely appreciate your warm cooperation in helping this important project grow and thrive in our communities.
Tomomi Tsubonoya, Vice Chairperson / Executive Director, NPO Mother’s Tree Japan
For those who wish to receive tax benefits through donation deductions,
Give One - Please consider making a donation
Your Support Matters
Expanding the Circle of Dialogue
Our activities are supported by participant membership fees (15%) and grants and donations from everyone (85%).
It is thanks to your ongoing support that we can continue our activities steadily and expand the circle of "shared understandings" to more people.
We can help solve one of the procedural challenges faced by foreign residents
We provide six months of support to help a foreign resident comfortably adapt to life in Japan.
10,000 yen → Can hold one local learning support class for children
30,000 yen → Provides opportunities for 10 foreign residents to connect with Japanese people
100,000 yen → Provides opportunities to learn about cultural synergy in the community
Please support us in expanding a circle of harmonious coexistence that is kind to more people and communities.
For those who wish to receive tax benefits through donation deductions,
Give One - Please consider making a donation
Bank Transfer Account
If you wish to make a donation via bank transfer, please transfer the amount to the account below.
Bank Name: Sumishin SBI Net Bank (Financial Institution Code 0038)
Branch Name: Corporate First Branch (Branch Code 106)
Account Type: Regular
Account Number: 1418300
Name: Kanji, Japan Intercultural Intelligence
Kana Tokuhai) Asian Cultural Exchange Association
We would like to express our gratitude to those who have made donations via bank transfer. We apologize for the inconvenience, but
info@j-ii.org orContact FormWe would appreciate it if you could contact us.
・Other Support OptionsHere
Let's attach and post! #SharedUnderstanding On Social Media
Share your story of experiencing a “small moment of understanding” on social media!
