For those of you who may be interested, David Slater of Sophia University in Tokyo has gathered the following information on volunteering opportunities in Japan:
Its that time of year when foreign-based academics descend upon Japan.
Volunteer work opportunities exist, as below.
There are still more than 350,000 Tohoku refugees, many in temporary
housing. Much of the work has shifted to “softer” care options that require
extended time commitments, and thus might not be suitable for just a short summer visit.
But all over, almost 90% of the rubble is still in the general areas that
they were when they were collected into piles that have to be moved or
maintained. And there are also all sorts of other chances to contribute
your manual labor.
Below are some of the easiest ways to do so. Different sorts of groups,
some commercial, with different foci, but all easy, cheap and all-inclusive
for just a couple of days of work, and based on my and my
students’ experience, all pretty organized. They have no full-on training
sessions like Peace Boat used to give and they won’t custom design anything
for you or your group. They are more bare bones, but short-term and
effective nevertheless. (You need to speak rudimentary Japanese or go with
someone who speaks Japanese.)
Volunteer Bus List–> http://b.volunteer-platform.org/vb/
Volunteer Bus Company –> http://www.amy-go.com/tour/volunteer/#volday
Volunteer Bus Company–> http://www.nanohanabus.com/bora_shihatsu.html
Volunteer Trip–> http://life-support-association.org/?page_id=1973
If you know of any other great volunteering opportunities, please let us know some information about it in the comments. Please feel free to spread this information around, too!
[EDIT: Please check out the comments for more information on volunteering at:
Japan Cat Network (JCN)
LYSTA (Animal rescue group)
Animal Refuge Kansai (ARK)
Habitat for Humanity Japan
Second Harvest Japan (2HJ)
Eyes for Fukushima (E4F)
Thanks to jeneko for the information!]
What can I do with a B.A. in Japanese Studies? 
Japan Cat Network (JCN):
Animal rescue group
Needs: food/supplies/money donations, volunteers, animal foster homes, event volunteers
JCN has had a shelter in the disaster area since 4/2011, and is still going on regular trips into the evacuated areas of Fukushima to do feeding, rescue and Trap/Neuter/Release (TNR). They work closely with local contacts to help both the animals affected by the disasters, and their human counterparts.
Main shelter is located in Hikone, Shiga. Disaster response location is in Inwashiro, Fukushima
Japanese and English are okay
On site accommodation and occasional food assistance is available
http://japancatnet.com/ , https://www.facebook.com/groups/japancatnetwork/ , volunteer@japancatnet.com (or contact me)
LYSTA
Animal rescue group
Needs: volunteers, donations, foster homes, big need for dog walkers
LYSTA is a small animal rescue that solely takes in animals from the Fukushima exclusion zone and also helps do regular feedings for the animals still living there.
Japanese best, knows some English
Located in Iwaki, Fukushima
http://ameblo.jp/lystoanimals/ and http://lysta.org/ (Japanese only)
call 080-5732-0377 to volunteer
Animal Refuge Kansai (ARK):
Animal rescue group
Needs: food/supplies/money donations, animal socializer, kennel care, dog walkers, groomers, animal trainers, foster homes, pet sponsors, fundraisers, and adoption event volunteers
ARK (NPO) aims to forming a network of people who love animals, believe in sharing their lives with them, and who work actively to rescue them from suffering.
Main location is in Osaka with a small branch in Tokyo
Email to set up and schedule volunteering
Japanese and English is okay
ark@arkbark.net (Osaka), tokyoark@arkbark.net (Tokyo), http://arkbark.net/, https://www.facebook.com/Animal-Refuge-Kansai-ARK/ (main) and has a few facebook pages and groups by regions and in English
Habitat for Humanity Japan
Assist rebuilding and recovery in Tohoku and other disaster related or poor areas
A Christian Philanthropy Organization to Eliminate Poverty Housing through Volunteering, Disaster Response, and Community Development.
Requirements: No construction skills/Exp. necessary, must be physically and emotionally ready for the work, must be current residents of Japan, must be able to communicate in Japanese enough to take part in the volunteer activities (Non-Japanese speakers may also join if they are accompanied by someone who can translate for them)
Email an application for specific upcoming projects in Miyagi or Iwate
High commitment level + participation/accommodation fees (1 to 3 days)
Office in Shibuya, Tokyo
03-6459-2070, info@habitatjp.org, http://www.habitatjp.org/, https://www.facebook.com/habitatjp/
Second Harvest Japan (2HJ):
Food bank and Soup Kitchen
Needs: food/supplies/money donations, drivers, volunteers to cook/serve/clean at the soup kitchens, and sponsors
Second Harvest Japan (NPO) collects and distributes food to soup kitchens, orphanages, the elderly, emergency shelters, single mothers, the homeless, migrant workers, and many others.
Based in Taito (Tokyo), regularly holds Friday and Saturday soup kitchens in Ueno park
Easy to sign up and schedule volunteer shift
Individuals, groups, and company sponsors are welcome
Japanese and English is okay
03-5822-5371, info@2hj.org, http://www.2hj.org/, https://www.facebook.com/2ndharvestjapan
Eyes for Fukushima (E4F): E4F seeks to foster ties between Japanese citizens and JET participants at the person-to-person level.
Needs: volunteers, event planners
Japanese and English is okay
eyes4fukushima@gmail.com , http://e4f.fujet.net/ , https://www.facebook.com/EyesForFukushima
P.S. I personally am a full time volunteer at JCN (live at the shelter) and have lived in Japan for a few years, so feel free to e-mail me with any questions
Thanks so much for this fantastic information!
No problem at all, I have dedicated my life to helping Japan recover, so sharing whatever information I have to offer is the least I can do.
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