Volunteer Work Opportunities in Japan: Different Types of Volunteering and How to Apply for Them

Author: Song-Ling Yip | Published date: 24 March 2020

Society as a whole is now paying greater importance towards the idea of “giving back to society”. Many companies are directing a portion of their profit towards creating Corporate Social Responsibility programs. For example, tech giant Google holds a community service event, GoogleServe annually to encourage its employees to join volunteering programs. Therefore, volunteering while at university will make your resume stand out as employers are interested in individuals who are passionate about serving the community. Besides, you will also have the opportunity to make new friends outside of university, gain new experiences and soft skills that will be useful in the working world.

As an international student in Japan, volunteering opportunities might seem scarce due to language barriers and insufficient searching resources. Do not worry! This article has got you covered! Below are a few interesting volunteering opportunities related to animal welfare, language and culture, social welfare and mental health. Thereafter, you can find websites containing other opportunities that might suit your preference.

Animal Welfare Volunteering Opportunity

Animal Refuge Kansai (ARK)

Animal Refuge Kansai (ARK) is a non-governmental private organization established in 1990 which aims to rescue animals from suffering. The organization currently offers volunteering opportunities in Osaka and Tokyo. Anyone is welcome to volunteer at ARK as there are no prerequisites to be a volunteer!

• helping at adoption fairs 
• walking dogs
• playing with cats
• cleaning kennels
• socializing with animals
• fundraising
• grooming

Osaka ARK
Tel: 072-737-0712
E-mail：ark@arkbark.net 

Tokyo ARK
Tel / Fax: 050-1557-2763
E-mail：tokyoark@arkbark.net

Language and Culture Volunteering Opportunity

Peace Boat

Ever dreamt of sailing across international waters, with onboard accommodation fully paid for?     Why not consider volunteering for Peace Boat to gain an experience of a lifetime and improve your communication skills at the same time? 

Peace Boat is an international NGO that organizes activities and projects onboard a ship. They also invite guest educators from around the world to give lectures during the voyage. 

As a volunteer interpreter, you will be responsible for translating materials for guest educators and passengers onboard the ship. Through translating and listening to onboard lectures and discussions, you will have the opportunity to learn about various global issues.

Peace Boat recruits student volunteers for their global voyages on a regular basis. They are currently looking for volunteer interpreters for their global voyages departing in August 2020.

Social Welfare Volunteering Opportunity

Second Harvest Japan

Second Harvest Japan is a food bank that was established in 2000. The organization carries out a range of initiatives such as accepting food donations, preparing meal boxes and distributing them to people in need. If you are interested in making a difference in others’ lives, volunteering at Second Harvest Japan might be the right choice for you. 

The organization currently requires volunteers for the positions listed below: 
　　・Delivery
This position involves picking up food donations and bringing them to warehouses and welfare institutions. In order to qualify for this position, you must be able to come regularly and hold a valid driving license.

　　・Soup kitchen activity
Volunteers in the soup kitchen make obento (meal boxes) and distribute them to people in need

　　・Office work
Volunteers will be in charge of answering phone calls and working with data. If you are interested in this position, you need to be able to come in regularly

　　・Pantry activities
Volunteers prepare food packages that will be sent out whereas others hand out food to people who come during pick up hours. Volunteers who wish to take up this position should ideally be able to speak English and be able to come regularly

Good news! No Japanese skills are required for most of the positions offered (apart from certain delivery positions)! Besides, you will immediately be enrolled in the organization’s insurance plan as soon as you sign up as a volunteer. See insurance plan details here

Find out more about Second Harvest Japan here

• Volunteers need to be at least 12 years of age

How to Apply:

1. Choose your desired volunteering position
2. Sign up through this form and witness how your actions can transform the lives of others!

Mental Health Volunteering Opportunity

TELL Japan

Founded in 1973 with the aim to prevent suicide, TELL Japan offers free, anonymous and confidential telephone counseling, professional face-to-face counseling and an extensive outreach program.

The following volunteering positions are currently available:

1. Lifeline

Lifeline volunteers will be responsible for answering calls from individuals who are facing any mental distress. Volunteers will listen and talk through the problems faced by the individual on the line. In order to be a Lifeline volunteer, volunteers will need to attend a nine-week training. After the training, volunteers have to undertake an apprenticeship on the Lifeline where they will receive additional support and guidance from experienced trainers and support workers.

Eligibility:

• Able to commit 10 hours each month for a minimum of 12 months (two four-hour shifts each month at times that suit your schedule and two hours of group support and supervision)
• Over 20 years old
• Relatively fluent in English
• You agree to remain anonymous and keep your role a secret from anyone who does not absolutely need to know. This is important as the revelation of your identity could make some reluctant to contact TELL themselves, depriving them of the access to such a valuable service
• You agree not to share your intention to apply for the TELL training course with others, except your partner, children, or someone who absolutely needs to know in order for you to be able to take the training.

To find out more about what it is like being a lifeline worker, click here

How to Apply:

Step 1: Send in your completed application form to training@telljp.com (The application form is not available at the moment so you should keep checking the website if you are interested or contact training@telljp.com to find out more!)

Step 2: If your application is accepted, you will be invited to an interview

Step 3: Attend a training session

2. Events

TELL’s events are essential in raising funds and raising awareness about mental health issues. Volunteers can help in various ways such as setting up, registration and cleaning up. There are no specific requirements for this volunteering position

If you are interested, sign up here

3.Office

Volunteers are welcome to help out at the TELL business office, especially when they have special projects ongoing. Anyone is welcome to take up this volunteering position!

If you are interested, fill up this form and TELL will send you more information about the latest events and volunteering opportunities available.

Websites to search for volunteering opportunities

If the volunteering opportunities above do not appeal to you, do not fret! There are many other volunteering opportunities in Japan that will match your preferences! Listed are two websites that contain a collection of volunteering activities in Japan.

American Field Service (AFS)

American Field Service, in short AFS, contains a wealth of volunteering opportunities in Japan and many other parts of the world! The organization was established in April 1915. After years of evolutions and improvements, the organization transformed from a wartime humanitarian aid organization into an organization that offers exchange programs, volunteering experiences, intercultural learning experiences.

All the volunteering opportunities included in this website only require an absolute beginner level of Japanese! The organization partners with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), schools, universities, humanitarian and peace groups, governments and NGOs.

Finding a volunteering opportunity on AFS is simple. Follow the steps below and you will be on your way to finding your desired volunteering activity. 

Step 1: Click on this link to be directed to AFS’s website. 

Step 2: Choose your preferred volunteering location. A list of options, volunteering timings, and contact information will be available. 

Step 3: Clarify your doubts by contacting the person-in-charge. Step 4: Sign up for the briefing session through this application form.

Hands On Tokyo

Hands On Tokyo was established in December 2006. The organization strives to make volunteer activities more accessible to the general public and promote volunteering in Tokyo.

In order to use the website’s service, you need to register your personal details. After that, you can log into the system with your personal ID and password to view the volunteering activities available. The website has a special feature that enables you to select dates that you are available and volunteering activities available on those specified dates will appear.

As a volunteer, you are provided with a volunteer insurance policy, free of charge. Compensation will be provided in the event of injury during the volunteer project. (5,000 yen for a hospital visit and 10,000 yen for a hospital stay, depending on the diagnosis.)

Click here to visit the Hands On Tokyo website.

Things to note before applying for a volunteering activity

1. Have a clear goal in mind

As there are many volunteering opportunities available, you need to determine your reasons for volunteering in order to choose the most suitable volunteering activity. Are you volunteering to learn a new skill? To develop your existing skills? To bring change to your community? Whatever your reasons are, choose a volunteering activity that is in line with the majority of your goals to ensure that you can gain the most out of your volunteering experience.

2. Identify your strengths and weaknesses

organizations usually have a few volunteering positions. In order to apply for the right position, you need to identify your strengths and weaknesses. If you need to undergo screening in order to qualify for the volunteering position, it is recommended that you apply for a position that utilizes many of your strengths. This will increase your chances of being selected. On the other hand, if screening is not required, you could apply for positions that utilize many of your strengths or positions that might “expose” your weaknesses. This will depend on your goal of volunteering. If you are volunteering to brush up on your current skills, you should apply for the former whereas if you wish to learn new skills, you should apply for the latter. 

Now that you have information at hand, sign up for any volunteering activity of your choice. No matter big or small, your actions have the power to change another person’s life! Go out there and be a changemaker!