2021-Today | The Nippon Foundation

September2021

Establishes Infectious Disease Response Project at Osaka University to Limit the Impact of Future Pandemics

The Nippon Foundation – Osaka University Infectious Disease Project is launched to establish a center for general research on infectious diseases. The project pursues cooperative innovation between research institutions and the industrial sector in Japan and overseas. It's aimis to protect people during future pandemics, enabling countries to maintain social and economic activity.

September2021

"SignTown" Online Sign Language Game

SignTown, an online game for teaching sign language jointly developed by The Nippon Foundation and The Chinese University of Hong Kong in collaboration with Google and Kwansei Gakuin University, is officially launched in September incorporating improvements made since the beta launch in May. With the ability to recognize signs using a conventional camera attached to a personal computer, the game is intended to raise interest in sign language among the general population.

Photo: The Nippon Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa (left) and Osaka University President Shojiro Nishio at the press conference

March2022

Provides Support for Ukrainian Refugees Living in Japan, and for People with Disabilities living in Ukraine

Russia launches an invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In March, the Foundation establishes the Nippon Foundation Office for People Displaced from Ukraine and announces support totaling 5 billion yen (tentative), including assistance for travel and living expenses for evacuees coming to Japan and grants to NGOs supporting evacuees in Japan. In April, the Foundation extends support to persons with disabilities remaining in Ukraine and announces the dispatch of Japanese university student volunteers to neighboring countries, with seven groups totaling 101 volunteers sent between May and October.

November2023

Establishes the SPOGOMI World Cup, an event that turns Garbage Collection into a Competitive Sport

The first global “Spo-GOMI World Cup 2023,” planned, managed, and supported by The Nippon Foundation to raise awareness of ocean debris, is held in November in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. The sport, which originated in Japan, turns litter collection by citizens into a sport. Teams from 21 countries, selected through regional competitions involving more than 1,700 teams around the world, compete for the world championship. Britain wins the first World Cup, with Japan finishing second.

Group photo of 21 national champion teams, hosts, ambassadors, and other related individuals

January2024

Earthquake and Flood Relief

A magnitude 7.6 earthquake strikes Japan’s Noto Peninsula and nearby areas on January 1, 2024, and the region is further damaged by heavy rains from September 21 to 23.
After the earthquake, The Nippon Foundation uses marine transport to supply needed goods to areas made inaccessible by damage to roads, and after both disasters, the Foundation supports activities being carried out by NGOs and volunteers, as well as the rebuilding of environments for daily living including support for children’s education, social welfare facilities, and social welfare organizations.

Photo of a truck driving off of a RORO ferry

Support for Disaster Recovery Interim Report on 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake and Flood Damage Relief (as of December 2024)

History

September2021

Establishes Infectious Disease Response Project at Osaka University to Limit the Impact of Future Pandemics

September2021

"SignTown" Online Sign Language Game

March2022

Provides Support for Ukrainian Refugees Living in Japan, and for People with Disabilities living in Ukraine

November2023

Establishes the SPOGOMI World Cup, an event that turns Garbage Collection into a Competitive Sport

January2024

Earthquake and Flood Relief

June2025

Takeju Ogata Named Chairman