4 charities you can do for this Christmas in Japan

Christmas is a special annual event for Japanese children when they can receive what they want simply by asking for it. However, according to the national survey of Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in 2019, one in seven children in Japan lives in relative poverty, and children from such families and children in foster homes have difficulty having a normal life, let alone Christmas.

To support these children, here are some options where you can make a difference for these children and their Christmas.

Ashinaga Santa

Donations can generally take many forms, such as books, stationery, toys, etc. However, benefitting organizations often receive cakes in quantities that cannot be eaten or other unwanted items. In many cases, sending things is more of a nuisance.

Therefore, to give something that the children would actually want, the Japan Children’s Home Foundation runs “Ashinaga Santa Claus,” a cash donation program.

According to a survey they conducted among children’s homes in Japan, the average budget for Christmas gifts per child is about 3,000 yen in children’s home, less than half the average of 7961 yen for a regular family.

If you donate here, it will help facilities to make sure that those children have the same special and wonderful Christmas as children in ordinary homes.

Santa Claus for Everyone

Amazon is running Santa Claus for Everyone, a campaign to support financially needy families and children in orphanages by utilizing “Wish Lists” at Christmas. The Wish List is a feature that allows you to save items you want on Amazon.

Organizations in need can make this list available to the public, and when people who wish to donate purchase the items, they will be delivered directly to the recipients.

This campaign is available until Christmas, but you can support each organization throughout the year.

Book Santa

Book Santa is also a good option which started in 2017. In this project, children’s books purchased at registered bookstores are donated and distributed to those in need, such as families that struggle financially or have survived a natural disaster. 779 bookstores nationwide and about 250 child support groups are working together on this project. Donations can also be made through dedicated online bookstores and crowdfunding.

This year, children of Ukrainian evacuees in Japan are also one of the beneficiaries.

Donation Foster Parent Campaign

Japan Children Support Association’s Christmas Donation Campaign is designed to support foster parents raising their children financially.

In Japan, the foster parent system exists to provide a home environment for children unable to live with their parents for various reasons. However, since there are currently only 4,000 foster families in Japan, foster parents are rarely able to find someone close to them with whom they can feel free to consult when they have problems raising their children, and their isolation is a serious problem.

To support them, Japan Children Support Association operates an online community and holds parenting seminars. Donations are needed to increase this kind of support for foster parents in the future.

Donating for Christmas will not only help children in difficult situations but also bring a warm feeling to yourself. Do consider being the light of the children this Christmas!

If you would like to make a donation, here are the links: