Japan
In the wake of World War II, a program called Licensed Agencies for Relief in Asia provided millions of dollars of food and relief items to the people of Japan. CWS was one of 11 agencies that participated in LARA.
Decades later, another crisis led us to re-establish our presence in Japan. In March 2011, the world watched in horror the East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and the resulting Fukushima nuclear disaster, struck. CWS Japan was soon formed, with a focus on making sure that what happened in Japan would not happen elsewhere.
Our team focuses on global advocacy for preventing and responding to disasters. We press governments and leaders to find ways to reduce disaster risks for their most vulnerable residents. We also serve as a resource hub for other programs, mobilizing funds to support work elsewhere in Asia and providing technical expertise.
The spirit of collaboration has defined our work in Japan for more than seven decades. We expect this same spirit will continue for many years to come.
Gifts from LARA
Explore related work
Latest Updates
Safe Spaces and Shared Stories: Honoring Pride and World Refugee Day in Japan
Igarashi Nozomi, CWS Japan Project Officer, shared about recent events hosted at the Community Cafe @ Okubo in celebration of World Refugee Day and Pride Month, where LGBTQ+ individuals and refugee community members could share stories, build understanding, and celebrate diversity through dialogue and collaborative art. CWS Japan operates the Community Cafe @ Okubo with ecumenical partners to aid the …
Measuring Impact: How Disaster Prevention Projects Are Changing Afghan Communities
Murakami Kotomi, a CWS Japan intern, recently interviewed participants in the “Enhancing Resilience of Afghanistan through Integrated Risk Reduction” project. This blog features her interviews with local community members about the impacts that the project has had in supporting disaster risk reduction efforts in Afghanistan. Impacts of Disaster Risk Reduction Projects Disasters can upend lives in an instant, but proactive …
Bringing Cultures Together: A Hands-On Tunisian Cooking Experience in Okubo
In January, CWS Japan hosted a hands-on Tunisian chapati cooking class, bringing together newcomers and local residents for a shared cultural experience. Through events like these, the cafe fosters deeper connections, promotes cross-cultural understanding and creates a welcoming space where the community can engage and learn from one another. The new year has arrived, and a month has flown by …