ICYE Japan (International Cultural Youth Exchange Japan Committee) is a nonprofit that began in 1958 as the Japanese committee of the ICYE Federation, which is headquartered in Germany. Aiming for international peace through mutual understanding, it sends and hosts young international volunteers and interns. It was incorporated in August 2002.
Its work rests on four pillars: long-term placements of 6 or 12 months, short-term placements of 2 weeks to 4 months, hosting participants who come to Japan, and public outreach in Japan. Programs include international work camps from one week, short-term ones such as child welfare in Vietnam, Japanese-language education in Nepal and Japanese cultural exchange in Indonesia, the mid-term "STePs" program from four weeks, and long-term volunteering of six months or one year. Participants live and eat together with local people and experience another culture.
Its record of participation is introduced as 774 people in short and mid-term programs (from 2010 to December 2025) and 859 in long-term programs (from 1959 to December 2025), with 51 countries to choose from. It also has university partnerships, and students at member schools are said to receive a discount on participation fees.
Key points
- Has sent and hosted young international volunteers since its founding in 1958
- Lets you choose the length and destination, from one-week work camps to six-month or one-year placements
- Participation record of 774 in short and mid-term programs and 859 in long-term programs, with 51 countries to choose from
Why this organization deserves attention
You can learn about life and values in other countries, which textbooks and the media alone cannot convey, by spending time with people on site. It has a long history of giving younger people the chance to see the world with their own eyes.
With programs of different lengths and themes lined up, even first-time overseas volunteers can easily pick a first step that suits them. Information sessions and individual consultations are also available.
Editor's comment
When you live with people from a different culture, what you once took for granted starts to look a little different. ICYE Japan's work seeks to turn such discoveries into an understanding of peace.
If you are interested in volunteering abroad, why not look at the program descriptions and participants' voices on the official website?