What is ISSJ
International Social Service Japan (ISSJ) is a non-profit organization that helps individuals, children and families confronted with complex social welfare issues because of migration and crossing country borders.
In 1952, in order to help war orphans and mixed race children, The Japan-American Joint Committee for the Assistance of Orphans was established in Tokyo. Then in 1959, from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (now known as the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare), the organization was authorized as a social welfare service corporation.
We also joined the International Social Service (ISS) network, and have been the Japanese branch. The ISS is a worldwide NGO and international social welfare professional organization with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and is the advisory organization to The United Nation.
Not only with other branches of ISS, but we also work with various concerned governmental agencies, courts, hospitals, welfare institutions, and schools. Our counselling is handled by experienced social workers who study social work and/or psychology.
Values
- We practice social work with focus on the best interests of the child
- We practice international social work and respect diversity
- We provide professional assistance based on social welfare
Our Missions
ISSJ’s mission is to help people in need regardless of their nationality, race or religion, while respecting their dignity so that they can attain both physical and mental health and lead an independent life to the best of their ability. Specific areas of our services include the following:
- Adoption
- Family reunion across international boundaries
- Acquisition of nationality for stateless children whose births have not been registered
- Consultation support for refugees and asylum seekers
- Support for individuals, children and families dealing with social and personal problems arising out of forced migration across international borders
- Other consultation and projects related to child welfare