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May 20, 2005
The Japanese NPO Debacle
This is an article I wanted to post up shortly after my blog went down. I found it again, and still feel it's important to mention.
Having worked for and with non profit groups in the states, it's pretty disheartening to hear how the Japanese government has blocked attempts by aid groups in Japan.
The government will be the first to point out how much it helps developing countries through aid and donations, the the frightening fact is that they pretty much ignore the needs of Japanese citizens who are in similar need. Homelessness in Japan is pretty much looked on as a voluntary condition. Well, with the economy shaping up the way it is now, this is a condition that's going to start getting a lot more popular.
In this Zeit Gist article, Melanie Burton writes about the plight of the Japanese NPO. There are some ridiculous statistics here. Here's a couple of scary numbers.
of over 16,000 non profit organization in Japan, only 23 have tax exempt statusonly 20 percent of NPOs have paid staff
While Japan spends billions each year feeding the poor in other countries (or more accurately bribing third world countries for consideration), food and shelter for the hungry is not only not provided, but aid from third parties is discouraged.
Social welfare programs in Tokyo are practically medieval, and with the newspapers filling more stories of robbery, murder, and violence, the "safe" Japan is a myth from another time.
I know I lock my door at night.
The Zeit Gist: Hurting Japan's hungry
Government greed, inaction hinders NPO efforts to help needy
Posted by Kakyou at May 20, 2005 04:58 PM