2011-2015 | The Nippon Foundation

March2011

Great East Japan Earthquake

The Nippon Foundation launches the ROAD Project to assist the relief effort following the Great East Japan Earthquake that struck northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011. Efforts include distributing monetary condolences to the relatives of family members who became missing or were killed by the disaster, promptly issuing emergency grants to nonprofit organizations, and launching the “Tsunapro” program to connect disaster victims with NPOs that can provide assistance. These activities, which draw on the Foundation’s capabilities as a private entity, are made possible by donations from individuals, organizations, and corporations, and the subsidy from motorboat races.

Photo of relief activity in a damaged area

April2011

Art Brut in Japan

The Foundation begins assisting projects that showcase outstanding works of art that transcend the boundary between disabled and able-bodied and help foster a diverse society. The projects include the evaluation of the works as art, organizing art exhibitions, and renovating historic structures for use as museums.

April2011

2013

June2013

Yohei Sasakawa Named Special Envoy of the Government of Japan for National Reconciliation in Myanmar

In June, The Nippon Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa is appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the Welfare of the National Races in Myanmar by the Japanese government. In October, the Foundation organizes a conference in Japan to assist Myanmar’s ethnic groups, and representatives of 10 ethnic groups participate.

Photo of The Nippon Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa delivering rice to grateful representatives of an ethnic group in Myanmar

August2013

Telephone Relay Service for the Deaf

The Foundation launched a Telephone Relay Service as a model project in 2013, enabling persons who are deaf or hard of hearing to access sign language interpreters via video phone at public facilities. This leads to the passing in October 2020 of the Act on Facilitating the Use of Telephones by the Hearing Impaired, etc., with the launch of the public service in July 2021.

Photo of graphic showing the telephone relay service, with a sign language interpreter acting as an intermediary between a user and a business representative

March2014

December2014

Palau Passenger Ferry

The Nippon Foundation constructs and donates a 60-passenger ferry, the Nippon Maru II, to the Republic of Palau to replace the Nippon Maru, which had also been donated by the Foundation and provided transportation between Koror and Peleliu states for more than 20 years, before being sunk by a typhoon in December 2012.

May2015

Paralympic Support Center

The Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center is established with offices in the Foundation’s headquarters building, to support para sports leagues and help para-athletes prepare for and compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. A “Para-Ekiden in Tokyo 2015” relay race is also held at Komazawa Olympic Park in Tokyo, featuring 171 athletes, including para-athletes, non-disabled athletes and guides, grouped into 19 eight-person teams competing in a roughly 20-kilometer race in front of approximately 14,000 spectators.

History

March2011

Great East Japan Earthquake

April2011

Art Brut in Japan

April2011

Foundation Renamed

2013

National Reconciliation Efforts in Myanmar

June2013

Yohei Sasakawa Named Special Envoy of the Government of Japan for National Reconciliation in Myanmar

August2013

Telephone Relay Service for the Deaf

March2014

Disaster Preparedness Fund

December2014

Palau Passenger Ferry

May2015

Paralympic Support Center