The Japan International Forestry Promotion and Cooperation Center (JIFPRO) is a public interest incorporated foundation under the jurisdiction of the Cabinet Office that has long worked on forest conservation and restoration overseas. Using the knowledge and networks gained while carrying out government projects, it aims to solve problems related to forests in developing countries. It states three attitudes: "JIFPRO thinks. JIFPRO explores. JIFPRO acts."
Its work is presented under five pillars: research, tree planting, human resource development, NGO support and publishing. Research covers a wide range, from international treaty trends and planting techniques to improving local livelihoods, and with support from companies and individuals it plants trees in many parts of Southeast Asia. For NGO support, it reviews grant applications and provides information to Japanese NGOs and NPOs working on forest conservation and tree planting around the world.
In human resource development, it holds seminars on the latest environmental issues and forest technology training, and an introductory course on carbon credits and tree-planting projects is scheduled for December 2026. It also publishes information anyone can use, such as a literature database on forest conservation and technical notes.
Key points
- Protecting forests through five pillars: research, tree planting, human resource development, NGO support and publishing
- Supporting Japanese NGOs and NPOs working on forest conservation worldwide through grant review and information
- Publishing information useful for forest restoration, such as a literature database and technical notes
Why this organization deserves attention
Forests contribute to mitigating climate change and conserving biodiversity, and are also essential to our daily lives through timber, food and water. To hand these forests on to the next generation, JIFPRO is involved broadly, from research to planting on the ground.
It does not only carry out its own activities but also supports the work of other NGOs and shares technical information, helping to widen the circle of forest-making. The fact that there are channels through which citizens and companies can support it also makes it easy to get involved.
Editor's comment
The phrase "green and water are a trust from the people of old, and a gift to you who will live in the future" left an impression on me. It reminds us again that faraway tropical forests are connected to our lives and the future of the planet.
The official website also has activity reports and training information. Why not take a small step toward the work of protecting forests?