Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) established in 1987 by a group of NGO leaders who recognized the need for better coordination among Japanese NGOs. JANIC operates with no political, religious, or ideological affiliation.
JANIC focuses on promotion of dialogue and partnerships among NGOs, strengthened capacity and social responsibility, policy advocacy, promotion of citizen support, and collaboration among different sectors of society. In the past, JANIC has responded to disasters in Sri Lanka (2011), Pakistan (2010), Chile (2010), and Haiti (2010).
Direct Relief has supported JANIC since March 2011 with cash grants to fund earthquake and tsunami relief and recovery efforts in Japan. JANIC supports over 40 Japanese nonprofit organizations representing 200 sites in areas most severely affected by the earthquake and tsunami: Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima prefectures. Several of these partner organizations are also supported by Direct Relief’s Japan Recovery and Relief Fund.
Office Locations:
- Iwate Prefecture: Matsuzaki, Tono City
- Fukushima Prefecture: Matsuyama, Fukushima
- Miyagi Prefecture: Aoba-ku, Sendai
- Tokyo Prefecture: Nishiwaseda, Tokyo
TOTAL AMOUNT GRANTED: $698,709
- Emergency Relief Program Grant – Phase 1
- Emergency Relief Program Grant – Phase 2
- Linking Civil Societies with Nuclear Threat for Joint Advocacy for Future Disaster Prevention
Emergency Relief Program Grant – Phase 1
Project Dates: March 11, 2011 to March 10, 2012
Amount: $328,709
Based in Tokyo, the Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC) has played a central, specialized role in the relief and recovery activities of Japanese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) since the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster in March 2011. JANIC supports over 50 Japanese NGOs representing 200 sites in areas most severely affected by the disaster: Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima Prefectures. JANIC provides members with a platform to communicate and collaborate. JANIC’s efforts in Japan have helped to distribute resources, avoid duplication of efforts, and gather and share key data. JANIC aims to grow grassroots organizations that can take over responsibility for work currently being done by NGOs. According to Carl Williams, Direct Relief’s Japan Relief and Recovery Coordinator, “The great quality of work in the affected areas and the degree of efforts has clearly been a result of JANIC coordination functions of positive coverage and resource control.”
JANIC’s relief and recovery activities are detailed below:
- Meeting Coordination: Member NGOs are provided a forum in which to regularly meet one another, plan coordinated activities, and share information about best practices. The forum allows organizations to address demands and challenges from the field and operation centers. An average of 20 organizations are represented at each information-sharing meeting.
- Information Collection and Provision: Relevant information and updates of members’ activities are shared via JANIC’s website and mailings. Information is exchanged among key actors in the disaster relief effort, such as the Japan Platform. Over 100 organizations and companies participate in the mailing list. Emiko Fujioka, Coordinator for JANIC, reported, “Small-scale NGOs do not have good access to information and resources. We will put more emphasis on giving information to those small NGOs.”
- Pooled Relief Fund: JANIC has established an account to collect “all-in-one” donations related to the earthquake and tsunami. Over 1,500 donors have contributed over $1 million, distributed equally among JANIC’s member NGOs.
- Donation Matching: Donors offering funds and aid supplies are matched with JANIC members who need those funds and supplies. Matched support has included dishes, cell phones, computers, maps, staff, and funding.
Donors offering funds and aid supplies are matched with JANIC members who need those funds and supplies. Matched support has included dishes, cell phones, computers, maps, staff, and funding.
- Nonprofit Support: Member NGOs benefit from the consolidation of policy recommendations, coordination of external supporters, and mutual promotion.
- Policy Advocation: NGOs in the field desire that thier acquired experiences and lessons are reflected in government policies. In order to support this goal, JANIC issues appeals and recommendations to the government, and participates in the Japan Civil Network (JCN) as one of it steering committee members.
Emergency Relief Program Grant – Phase 2
Project Dates: March 11, 2012 to March 10, 2014
Amount: $270,000
JANIC continues to support over 50 Japanese NGOs working in areas most severely affected by the disaster: Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima Prefectures.
JANIC’s relief and recovery activities are detailed below:
- Information Collection and Provision: JANIC tracks members’ relief activities, maintains a master mailing list, and exchanges information between key actors.
- Coordiantion and Support of NGO Activities: On behalf of member NGOs, JANIC consolidated policy recommendations, coordinates external supporters, and promotes relief activities
- External Relations: JANIC has established relationships with Japanese officials and relevant agencies
Linking Civil Societies with Nuclear Threat for Joint Advocacy for Future Disaster Prevention
Project Dates: April 2014 to March 2017
Amount: $100,000
JANIC is partnered with local NGO FUKUDEN to promote networking among citizens of Fukushima, Japan, and the world. They aim to share the lessons of the nuclear disaster in Fukushima and promote enhancing public knowledge of radiation issues.
JANIC and FUKUDEN’s relief and recovery activities are as follows:
- Enhancing Public Knowledge of Radiation Issues: Other non-profit organizations and agencies comes together to join resources and share information about radiation issues. Initial collaboration led to the creation of fukushimaontheglobe.com.
- Create Linkages with Asian Nations: Networks of NGOs are employed in Asian countries with nuclear power plants (China, Korea, Taiwan, India, Pakistan) and Asian countries where nuclear power plants are planned (Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia)
