The Foundation for Welfare and Education of the Asian People (FWEAP) is a public interest corporation established in December 1969. It has worked on relief for orphans of the Vietnam War and on supporting the settlement in Japan of Indochinese refugees. Today it provides funding to refugee communities, supports convention refugees and resettled refugees, and invites welfare professionals from Asian countries to Japan.
Behind its founding was a situation in which orphans who had lost their parents in the Vietnam War were everywhere, and its founders believed it was important to share the hardships of people in need, not only economic benefits. This spirit lives on in its present refugee relief and settlement programs and its program of inviting Asian welfare professionals.
Its own programs include the "Gathering with Settled Refugees in Japan," which honors the achievements of refugees who have settled in Japan and recognizes employers and private support groups. It also holds exchange meetings with refugee settlers and a presentation contest, and provides grants for supplementary classes for refugee children and students. In May 2026 it also held an international forum where welfare professionals from Asia learned together.
Key points
- More than 50 years of international support that began with relief for Vietnam War orphans
- Funding for refugee communities and grants for supplementary classes for refugee children and students
- A forum that invites welfare professionals from across Asia to learn together
Why this organization deserves attention
It continues to walk alongside people who settled in Japan as refugees, so that they can live as members of local communities across generations. From the fields of welfare and education, it aims for a society in which diverse cultures and values are respected.
Its support extends beyond refugees to foreign residents facing difficulties. It also puts effort into creating places, such as exchange meetings and contests, where the voices of those concerned can reach society.
Editor's comment
People with many different backgrounds live in our own neighborhoods. The foundation's phrase "cherishing each and every person" gives us a chance to think of those neighbors.
Activity reports, publications and videos are available on the official website. Why not start by seeing what it does?