Introduction
The Japan NPO Research Association, JANPORA was founded in 1999. The objectives
are to strengthen the nonprofit, volunteering and philanthropy research,
to create wider networks, and to disseminate the Nonprofit study. Principal
activities include an annual conference, research seminars, publications,
and awards.
Brief History
In 1995, the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake hit Japan, and it was the time
that people began to pay attention to the role of the Non-profit sector
in the country. However, there was no sufficient scientific analysis and
discussion on issues surrounding NPOs' activities such as law, governance,
and sustainability. Moreover, there was a lack of communication between
researchers and practitioners. In order to improve the situation, in March
1999, the Japan NPO Research Association, JANPORA was established, supported
by many people from various back ground. Yuujirou Hayashi ithe president
of Japan Philanthropy Associationjwas elected as the first president.
At the time of establishment, the number of members was around 600, which
is now doubled.
Activities
Main activities are: holding an annual conference and regular research
seminars, distributing newsletters, publishing journals and awarding outstanding
research works. The first annual conference was held in March 1999 inviting
Professor Lester Salmon as a guest speaker. Since then, the meeting was
becoming more and more dynamic exploring latest issues, presenting the
research findings and bringing up stimulating discussions. Regular research
seminars, being held once a month, have been focusing on up-to date issues
such as civil society, social capital and CSR. The Association's journal,
"Non-Profit Review" has been published twice a year since 2001containing
the latest theoretical and empirical research work. Newsletters have been
published quarterly to provide interest articles and latest information
since 2000. In addition to these activities, JANPORA have been presenting
the awards to distinctive research works since 2002 to promote research
development. JANPORA also offers members to use Association's mailing list
for promoting communications between members. Structure and Governance
Currently (2009 at the present), JANPORA has about 1,200members, in which
20% of scholars, 18% of students, 14% of nonprofit sector workers, 10%
of business sector workers, 9% of think-tank based researchers, and 7%
of public sector workers. It has 25 boards of directors and 2 auditors.
In 2008, Naoto Yamauchi was elected as 5th president.
Funding
The annual budget has been around 12million Japanese Yen since the establishment, which is mainly funded by the annual membership fees.
Major Accomplishments
The major achievement of JANPORA is to bring all the researchers, students and practitioners together to create the community of the people who are dedicated to the research and dissemination of nonprofit studies for the purpose of improving public wealth. As there were no such organizations before, the establishment of this community had a significant impact on development of NPOs/NGOs activities and the research by creating wider and deeper networks.