おとなりさんボランティアに参加することで、どのような学びがありますか？

おとなりさんボランティアとして外国人住民と交流する中で、日本とは異なる文化や価値観に触れ、自分の視野が広がったという声が多く聞かれます。また、日本で暮らす外国人がどのような不安や困りごとを感じているのかを知ることで、相手の立場に立って考えるきっかけにもなります。日常的な交流を通して、異文化理解やコミュニケーションの大切さを学びながら、新しい発見や出会いを楽しむことができます。

登録したらどんな活動ができますか？

登録した方は、OFPはもちろんのこと、それ以外にも会員向け交流会、サークル活動、日本語学習支援、避難民支援、運営サポーターなどさまざまな活動に参加できるようになります。

マッチングが成立するまでどのくらい時間がかかりますか？

OFPは単に外国人住民を紹介するものではなく、できるだけ信頼関係を築きながら、継続的にコミュニケーションを深められるよう双方のニーズや条件など、さまざまな要素に合わせて丁寧にマッチングを行います。条件が合う場合のみご紹介するので、マッチング成立の時期や紹介の確約などのお約束はできませんので、その点をご了承ください。実際の待ち期間は数日から数ヶ月間とさまざまです。

どのような外国人住民とペアになるのですか？

ヒアリングの際に、ご自身の言語力、期待、参加条件、希望などについて詳しくヒアリングします。一人ひとりの具体的な状況に合わせてペアの候補者をご紹介します。ランダムにあてることはありません。

ボランティアなのに、なぜ登録費や会費が必要なのですか？

OFP活動を運営するにあたり、個人情報を厳重に管理するシステムをはじめ、説明会、マッチング、フォローなどの運営、管理には多くのコストがかかっています。現在、活動資金は主に単発の民間助成金、寄付金などに頼っており、まだ安定的に活動資金を得られる状況にありません。OFPの活動を継続するためには、参加者の皆さんの支えが欠かせません。現在、参加者による登録費及び会費により活動費の約13％を支えられています。

どのくらいの活動時間が必要ですか？

目安としては、チャットやビデオ通話などを含め週2－3時間程度を確保できれば活動できます。なお、2－3週間に一度直接会う機会を作れると信頼関係を築きやすくなります。コミュニケーションの頻度や時間帯、長さにやりづらさを感じた場合は、ペア同士で相談して調整することも可能です。

外国人参加者はどんな人が多いですか？

現在４０を超える国や地域からの外国人住民が参加しています。もっとも多いのは子育て中の外国人家庭で約４割、次に社会人、学生（日本語学校、大学・院生）などさまざまです。

日本語しか話せないけど参加できますか？

外国語を話せなくても大丈夫です。ペアになる双方の言語状況も考慮してマッチングを行います。また、日本語で話したい外国人参加者も多いので、日本語のみでの交流になることもあります。

これまで外国人と接する経験があまりないけど、大丈夫ですか？

大丈夫です。相手を尊重する気持ちと仲良くなりたい気持ちがあれば参加できます。ボランティア向けの研修やボランティア同士の交流会など、学ぶ機会を多くご用意しております。活動中、コーディネーターが常にサポートしていますので、困ったことやわからないことはいつでも相談できます。

活動期間中、外国人住民とどのように交流するのですか？

交流方法は、ペアになったお二人で相談して決めていただきます。そのため、交流の形はさまざまです。信頼関係を築きやすくするため、基本的には対面での交流をおすすめしていますが、お互いの都合に合わせて、オンラインと対面を組み合わせて交流するケースもあります。

これまでどのようなトラブルがありましたか？

ペア活動をしている６ヶ月の間、専任コーディネーターがフォローしています。月に一回活動状況アンケートに記入していただくことで、コーディネーターが活動状況を見守り、必要な時にサポートに入ることができます。このようなサポート体制によって、トラブルなどを未然に防ぐ役割を果たしています。体調不良や引っ越し、活動頻度が合わないなどによる中止やペアの変更はありますが、これまでは参加者同士のトラブルはなく、皆さんが安心安全に活動できています。

For Those Who Want to Become Otonari-san (Japanese Volunteers)

Currently, nearly 4 million foreigners live in Japan.How will Japanese society coexist with its new residents? This is a new challenge that we face in this era.
Foreign residents understand the culture and lifestyle of Japanese society, integrating into the community, while society deepens its understanding of the new residents.
Embrace and enjoy the culture as a part of it.
We dream of a society that embraces diversity, including foreign residents like these.
We launched the Otonari-san Family Friend Program (OFP).

The Otonari-san Family Friend Program (OFP) pairs foreign residents living in the community with Japanese volunteers (Otonari-san) for a six-month period. This one-on-one exchange provides communication support to help participants practice Japanese, acclimate to Japanese life and culture, and integrate more easily into the community.

Engage in direct activities for 6 months (Volunteer ⇔ Foreign participant)

Activities can be done from about 2 hours a week
Conveying information about daily life and Japan
Go out together to community activities and events
Converse in Japanese
A friendship-like relationship

Support for Volunteers (JII)

Regular follow-up
Consultation about support
Information Provision
Interaction Among Volunteers
Trouble Response

Support for Participants (JII)

Provision of Living Information
Consultation Desk
Expert Consultation
Exchange Events

Expert Team

Lawyers, administrative scriveners, doctors, tax accountants, labor and social security attorneys, teachers, nurses, and others

Volunteer Activities

[Interact and Support Foreign Residents]
・Secure about 2 hours per week for interaction (including messages, face-to-face, etc.)
・Providing information about Japan's customs, culture, and society
・Assist with learning Japanese and serve as a conversation partner
・Providing information about local life and events
・Enjoy spending time together
・Be supportive as a friend and provide emotional support, among other things

Brush Up
・Share activity status once a month during pair activities
・Actively participate in study sessions and networking events

Participation Requirements
・Living in Japan (Tokyo 23 wards + surrounding areas)
・18 years old or older (adult)
・I want to support, engage with, and interact with foreign residents.
・I want to build trust with foreign residents and become a good neighbor and friend.
・Abide by the Activity Rules and do not engage in actions that go against the purpose of the program
(Engaging in activities that violate the law, commercial, religious or political solicitation, dating, marriage hunting, sexual relationships, or causing disadvantage, inequality, or physical and mental burdens to others.)

1. Application

You will receive an invitation to the information session *Attendance at the information session is mandatory / Free of charge

2. Information Session & Hearing

After the information session, if you wish to participate as a volunteer, please register (Registration fee 1,000 yen/person)
After registration, you can participate in activities for OFP members.

3. Pairing-up

Introduce pair candidates based on registration details
After the interview, if both parties agree, the pair is formed
After the pair is established, pay the OFP membership fee (OFP membership fee 3,000 yen/person)

4. Activities

Activities as a pair for 6 months
Support from coordinators during the period
Expert support available as needed

Join the Program
(ForeignersParticipants(for)

For those who wish to volunteer as Japanese volunteersClick here

Participation Fee (Registration Fee and OFP Membership Fee)

● Registration Fee (One-time at registration): 1,000 yen/person
・You will pay at the time of registration after understanding the activities.
・After registration, you can participate in activities for OFP members. (Examples: various exchange meetings, refugee support, operation supporters, etc.)

●　OFP Membership Fee (Upon Pair Formation): 3,000 yen / person
・A pair is formed when both parties agree, and the OFP membership fee is paid.
・During the pair activity period (6 months), support from coordinators and experts is available.
・Please share your activity status once a month in the form of a questionnaire.
・Payment methods: Credit card, bank transfer, etc.

* Pair formation cannot be guaranteed as it varies depending on individual conditions.

Why are registration and membership fees necessary?

There is a Participation Fee Reduction System

A reduction and exemption system can be applied for those with special circumstances.
Examples of Application
– Refugees and Displaced Persons: Exemption from registration and participation fees
– Due to circumstances such as disabilities, illnesses, single-parent households, low-income households, and unstable employment, there is a significant financial burden: registration fees are waived, and membership fees are half off.
– Students with significant tuition burdens, such as those using scholarships: Registration fees and membership dues are half price
–Other reasonable accommodations needed: Individual consultation

Apply to be an Otonari-san (Volunteer)

Support Us with a Donation

What can I learn by participating as an Otonari-san volunteer?

Many volunteers who interact with foreign residents as Otonari-san volunteers report that they have broadened their perspectives by encountering cultures and values different from those in Japan. Additionally, learning about the anxieties and difficulties faced by foreigners living in Japan provides an opportunity to consider things from their point of view. Through everyday interactions, volunteers can enjoy new discoveries and encounters while learning the importance of cross-cultural understanding and communication.

What activities can I participate in after registering?

Registered members can participate not only in OFP but also in various activities such as member networking events, club activities, Japanese language learning support, refugee assistance, and operational support roles.

How long does it take for the pairing-up to be established?

OFP is not simply about introducing foreign residents; rather, we carefully conduct pairing-up based on various factors such as the needs and conditions of both parties, aiming to build trust as much as possible and deepen continuous communication. We only introduce matches when conditions align, so please understand that we cannot guarantee the timing of pairing-up or the introduction itself. The actual waiting period varies from a few days to several months.

What kind of foreign residents will you be paired with?

During the hearing, we will discuss your language skills, expectations, participation requirements, and preferences in detail. We will introduce candidates based on each individual's specific situation. We do not assign candidates randomly.

Why are registration and membership fees required even though it's volunteer work?

Operating OFP activities involves significant costs for management and administration, including a system that strictly manages personal information, briefing sessions, pairing-up, and follow-ups. Currently, activity funding mainly relies on one-time private grants and donations, and we are not yet in a position to secure stable funding. To continue OFP activities, the support of all participants is indispensable. At present, about 13% of the activity costs are supported by registration and membership fees from participants.

How much time is needed for the activities?

As a guideline, if you can allocate about 2-3 hours a week, including chat and video calls, you can engage in activities. Additionally, if you can arrange to meet in person every 2-3 weeks, it will be easier to build trust. If you feel any difficulties regarding the frequency, timing, or duration of communication, it's possible to discuss and adjust with your partner.

What types of foreign participants are common?

Currently, foreign residents from over 40 countries and regions are participating. The largest group, about 40%, consists of foreign families raising children, followed by working adults and students (including those in Japanese language schools and universities/graduate schools), among others.

Can I participate if I only speak Japanese?

It is okay even if you cannot speak a foreign language. Pairing-up is done considering the language situation of both parties. Also, since many foreign participants want to speak in Japanese, sometimes the interaction will be only in Japanese.

I don't have much experience interacting with foreigners. Is that okay?

It's okay. As long as you have respect for others and a desire to build good relationships, you can participate. We offer many opportunities to learn, such as training sessions for volunteers and social gatherings among volunteers. During activities, coordinators are always available to support you, so you can consult with them anytime if you have any problems or questions.

How do you interact with foreign residents during the activity period?

The method of interaction will be decided through consultation between the two paired participants. Therefore, the forms of interaction vary. To facilitate building trust, we generally recommend face-to-face meetings; however, depending on mutual convenience, a combination of online and in-person interactions is also possible.

What kind of troubles have you experienced so far?

During the six months of pair activities, a dedicated coordinator provides ongoing support. By filling out a monthly activity status survey, the coordinator can monitor progress and step in to assist when needed. This support system helps prevent potential issues before they arise. While there may be cancellations or changes in pairs due to health problems, moving, or mismatched activity frequency, there have been no conflicts between participants so far, ensuring everyone can participate safely and with peace of mind.

Apply to be an Otonari-san (Volunteer)

Support Us with a Donation

For Those Who Want to Become Otonari-san (Japanese Volunteers)

Otonari-san Family Friend Program (OFP)
System