Founded in 1951, we are committed to contributing to world peace, prosperity and human welfare — more powerfully and more flexibly. Spreading our vision to the world from Asia and Japan.
JIHDO — the Japan International Human Capital Development Organization — is a public interest incorporated foundation based in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. It grew from a 1951 pledge by volunteers from Asian countries to cooperate for peace.
Today we operate the J-cert Japanese proficiency test, receive and support technical intern trainees, award scholarships to international students, and organize international friendship exchange. Our work is, at its core, human resource cooperation and development for peace.
Post-entry training center of “Aizu Kogen International Human Capital Center” opened.
Relocated the head office to 3-6-14 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku.
Contracted with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology for “Development of Core Manpower in Regional Industries through Specialized Training College Education”.
Workshop on “Support of foreign students aiming to become qualified care workers” held.
Head office registered address changed to 1-20-3 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, from Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku.
Head office registered address changed to 2-17-17 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, from Asabudai, Minato-ku.
Registered as “Japan International Human Capital Development Organization”, a public interest incorporated foundation, and started operation.
Received authorization from the Prime Minister as a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation; corporate name changed from Asia Fellowship Society.
Hosted “Thai Loi Krathong & Mooram Festival 2013”, an event authorized by the Foreign Ministry to mark the 40th anniversary of friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and Asian countries.
Held a symposium on “Support of Foreign Students’ Human Resources”.
Held a party to celebrate the 45th anniversary of our foundation — “International Friendship and Multicultural Co-prosperity”.
Four programs that connect people, skills and cultures across Japan and Asia.
Activities carried out through international friendly competitions and the Asia New Era Forum:
Board of Directors
Auditors
From a 1951 pledge for “Asia as one” to a public interest foundation serving people across the region.
The association was founded by over 20 comrades at Shimbashi Kuramae Industrial Hall in Tokyo, pledging cooperation for the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia under the basic principle of “Asia as one”. To commemorate the visit to Japan of Dr. Radhabinod Pal, a judge at the Tokyo Trials, the “Dr. Pal Appreciation National Assembly” was held at Hibiya Public Hall.
A memorial lecture for Dr. Abdul, leader of the Iranian national movement, was held at Chuo University Auditorium during his visit to Japan, followed by a welcome party at Kojunsha.
The “National Rally for Reclaiming All the Chishima Islands” was held at Hibiya Public Hall. The 1st Asian Goodwill Rally was held at Sankei Hall in Otemachi, Tokyo — it became an annual event, continuing until 1999 with the 43rd rally.
The first Asian Goodwill Nationwide Campaign was held. It became an annual summer event, continuing until 1999 with the 43rd campaign.
The 1st Asian Summer College was held at Kuramae Kogyo Kaikan Grand Hall; the same event was held 12 times until 1970.
The “Asia Fellowship Society International Student Scholarship Fund” was established.
Approval as an incorporated foundation was obtained from the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The first overseas campaign was held: we traveled to India, Pakistan and other countries with a personal letter from the Governor of Tokyo. Nine campaigns followed until 1999, including one in Seoul, South Korea.
The 25th anniversary event was held at the Japan Industry Club in Marunouchi, Tokyo.
Mr. Uichi Noda was appointed Honorary Chairman.
The Asian Goodwill Folk Festival was jointly hosted in Seoul, South Korea.
The Asian Friendship Festival was jointly hosted in Bangkok, Thailand.
Support activities began for international students from Asia and South Pacific countries living in Tokushima Prefecture.
Based at the civil agency of the Asian Culture Research Institute in Sayama, Saitama, we promoted Mongolian culture and engaged in educational support in Tibet. A pottery workshop was established in Ono-machi, Ibi-gun, Gifu Prefecture as part of Japan–Korea cultural exchange, introducing Korean pottery and teaching techniques to local youth and seniors.
Based at the Japan–China Friendship Private Association in Funabashi, Chiba, we started goodwill activities centered on Chinese students at Chiba University and Chiba Institute of Technology.
Cultural exchanges such as friendship rallies and Korean pottery classes began at Nagano International Culture Academy, established in Suwa City, Nagano as an affiliated school of our association.
A Japanese language class was opened with the cooperation of Harbin Education University for young Chinese people who want to study in Japan.
The trainee support project was started.
A courtesy visit to Beijing, China was made, and a donation ceremony was held for the Asia Fellowship Hopeful Elementary School in Hebei Province.
The 1st International Student Field Trip and On-site Workshop were conducted.
The 1st International Conference for International Students was held.
The organization was reconstructed in view of changes in Asia and the world. Mr. Zenzo Handa was appointed the 5th chairman, and a goodwill rally was held for the 45th anniversary of the incorporated foundation.
The GNK Life Skills Japanese Language Test was started.
The GNK test spread to China, Vietnam and Myanmar. Operation began of an international student hall with living facilities and a training facility for trainees.
A free smartphone practice app for the GNK Life Skills Japanese Language Test and a PC mock test were launched worldwide at the same time.
The international student human resource support symposium was held at Tokyo Shigaku Kaikan.
We hosted “Thai Loi Krathong & Mooram Festival 2013”, an event authorized by the Foreign Ministry to mark the 40th anniversary of friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and Asian countries.
Authorization as a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation was received from the Prime Minister, and the corporate name changed from Asia Fellowship Society to Japan International Human Capital Development Organization.
On January 23, an agreement was concluded with the Hakodate Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the acceptance and support of foreign students.
On September 1, the contents of the “GNK Life Skills Japanese Language Test” were modified to meet international standards and renamed “J-cert Certificate of Japanese as a Foreign Language (for Living, Business and Professionals)”.
The head office relocated to Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku. A study session was held to support international students aiming to acquire care worker qualifications.
The head office relocated to Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku.
Contracted with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology for “Development of Core Manpower in Regional Industries through Specialized Training College Education”.
Held a study session supporting international students who aim to acquire care worker qualifications.
As a public interest foundation, we give great weight to the quality and content of practical training — aiming not simply to increase trainee numbers, but to deliver training whose skills are valued by trainees and useful in their home countries.
Perhaps because of this basic policy, the number of trainees has increased little by little, reaching over 100 in 2018.
JIHDO (Japan International Human Capital Development Organization) is a public interest incorporated foundation based in Tokyo, Japan. It began in 1951 as the Asia Fellowship Society and today runs the J-cert Japanese proficiency test, supports technical intern trainees, awards scholarships to international students and promotes friendship exchange between Japan and Asia.
The organization was founded on February 23, 1951. It became an incorporated foundation authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan on July 20, 1962. On April 1, 2014 it was registered as a public interest incorporated foundation and changed its name from Asia Fellowship Society to Japan International Human Capital Development Organization.
J-cert is the Certificate of Japanese as a Foreign Language for living, business and professional use, operated by JIHDO. It began in 2009 as the GNK Life Skills Japanese Language Test and was renamed J-cert in September 2017 after its contents were revised to meet international standards.
JIHDO receives technical intern trainees, operates and supports a post-entry training center (the Aizu Kogen International Human Capital Center), surveys and guides sending organizations in Asian countries, and audits implementing organizations in Japan. It places the quality of practical training before the number of trainees.
Yes. JIHDO awards scholarships to students who want to study Japan and deepen their understanding of Japanese people, including successful applicants entering a Japanese university or graduate school for the first time. It also offers an interest-free loan scholarship, and repayment may be exempted in special circumstances approved after the prescribed procedure.
JIHDO’s head office is at 1F Sankyu Building, 3-6-14 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0013, Japan. You can reach the office by email at info@jihdo.org or by phone at +81 3 6205 7739.
Questions about our programs, the J-cert test, trainee support or scholarships? Write or call our Tokyo office — we are happy to help.
info@jihdo.org
+81 3 6205 7739