Rainforest Foundation Japan (RFJ) is an international cooperation NGO working to protect the Amazon rainforest and support the indigenous peoples who live there. Founded in May 1989, its staff visit the area every year, live alongside indigenous communities and carry out projects based on what is needed on the ground.
Its area of work is the basin of the Xingu River, a tributary of the Amazon. The river is 1,979 km long, and 17 peoples live in its basin, where traditional cultures are said to remain strong. Current projects are carried out in the Xingu Indigenous Park (26,420 square kilometers) and the Kapoto/Jarina Indigenous Land (6,350 square kilometers) just to its north.
The core of its approach is support that puts indigenous initiative first. It runs a fire brigade project to prevent forest fires and a beekeeping project to build a sustainable, self-reliant economy. In Japan, it shares the situation in the Amazon through lectures, events, membership and donations, and goods sales.
Key points
- Long-running support in the Xingu River basin, working together with indigenous peoples
- A fire brigade project to prevent forest fires and a beekeeping project for a self-reliant economy
- Many ways to take part from Japan, including lectures, membership and buying goods
Why this organization deserves attention
A distinctive feature is its habit of visiting the area every year and living with indigenous people to learn what support is needed. Rather than bringing in solutions from outside, it backs the efforts of the people who live in the forest.
The organization acts on the view that changes in the Amazon forest are linked to our own lives and to the global climate. Announcements of lectures are regularly updated, giving people in Japan a chance to learn about the Amazon.
Editor's comment
The Amazon rainforest on the other side of the globe is connected to our lives in some way. The support carried out while living alongside people on the ground has a quiet persuasiveness.
The official website posts updates and information about lectures. Please take a look.