Plan International Japan is a member of Plan International, an international NGO that works with children and girls in more than 80 countries toward a world where everyone is equal. Through donations, it works to solve the problems faced by children around the world, especially girls.
Its origins go back to 1937, to a committee set up by people who sheltered children orphaned in the Spanish Civil War. The Japan office was founded in 1983, authorized as a foundation in 1986, and approved as a public interest foundation by the Cabinet Office in 2011. Today, as an "international NGO that advances community development together with children," it values children's own views and opinions.
Its fields are broad, including education, child development, sexual and reproductive health and rights, livelihoods, child participation, child protection and emergency response, and recent reports cover emergency support after the Nepal floods and the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake. Ways to give include Plan Sponsorship, in which supporters follow a child's growth through letters (from 3,500 yen a month), and Plan Global Supporter (from 1,500 yen a month).
Key points
- The Japan office (founded in 1983) of an international NGO whose history began in 1937
- A focus on supporting girls, including the publication of the Girls' Report
- Varied ways to support, such as Plan Sponsorship, which follows a child's growth through letters
Why this organization deserves attention
Its distinguishing feature is that it advances development with local people, placing children's own views and opinions at the center. Using its worldwide network, it tackles a wide range of issues from education to emergency response.
Opportunities are also provided for people in Japan, including younger generations, to learn and take part, such as messaging around International Day of the Girl on October 11 each year, speaker dispatch and youth groups. It is useful for anyone looking for ways to get involved other than donating.
Editor's comment
So that everyone, regardless of the country they are born in or their gender, can learn and walk their own path in life. The wish Plan holds is very simple, and it feels like something that concerns each one of us.
The official website clearly sums up reports by country and how monthly giving works. Why not start by reading an activity report that catches your interest?