Notice of Revision to OFP Membership Fees

Thank you for always participating in JII's activities. We would like to explain the background and reasons for the recent review of membership fees.

Background of Membership Fee Review

Growth of OFP

Launched in 2020, the Otonari-san Family Friend Program (OFP) is a pioneering initiative in Japanese society that started from scratch. Beginning with initial uncertainties, we set the membership fee at a level that wouldn't be a concern if it turned out to be a failure—about the cost of a movie ticket—approaching it with a trial-and-error mindset.

　Over the past three years of trial and error, OFP has grown and gained acceptance from many, surpassing 1,000 applicants. To ensure that participants are paired up with the best matches and can engage in activities with peace of mind, the secretariat and supporters have continuously improved a series of operational processes, including explanations, hearings, pairing-up, and follow-ups. Additionally, various measures have been implemented to enhance data management safety, including the introduction and improvement of a database system.

Demonstration of Results and Necessity

To date, we have welcomed foreign residents from over 40 countries and regions, with approximately 700 participants involved in our activities. We maintain a high satisfaction rate of 97% among foreign resident participants. Not only have we addressed the everyday challenges faced by foreign participants, but many pairs have continued their relationships as good friends and neighbors even after the activities have concluded. Centered in Tokyo, OFP has directly connected many Otonari-san with foreign residents, fostering trust and friendship within the community, demonstrating the necessity and usefulness of OFP.

Economic Issues

With the increase in participants, the program fee set at the time of establishment (1,500 yen per person per year upon pairing) only covers about 4% of the operating costs. (※2022 fiscal year) Last year, we began soliciting donations and supporting members, and we were fortunate to receive more donations than expected, which has been a significant encouragement for the secretariat. However, it is still challenging to support the operations of our activities. Until now, we have relied on private grants from organizations such as The Toyota Foundation, Chuo Labour Bank, Kirin, and pal system Tokyo, using these funds for our operations. However, grants have expiration dates, and after the grant period ends, they are based on the premise of establishing independent projects, making it unlikely for us to be repeatedly selected for funding.

Rising Prices

Recent increases in prices are also impacting operational costs, further increasing the burden of organizational management. It is necessary to reassess the burden of maintaining and improving the resources and facilities required for activities and to implement appropriate pricing.

Reasons for Membership Fee Review

Sustainable Management

The board recognized that if the system enabling OFP activities is not sustainable, it will be difficult to achieve the principles of OFP and its social impact. As part of strengthening the organizational foundation, the board has concluded that reviewing membership fees is an unavoidable choice in reassessing the financial balance of our activities.

Supplementing Activity Costs

With the revision of membership fees, income from OFP membership fees is planned to support 15-20% of the overall activity costs. The remaining 80-85% will continue to be supplemented by grants, donations, and income from new projects. This diversification of business income will enable more stable operations.

Enhanced Support

In the future, we plan to invest in improving our operational processes and strengthening our support systems to ensure higher quality and safety for more OFP participants.

New Activities

We began supporting refugees last year, and in response to the various challenges we've identified through our activities, we are planning to launch new initiatives and expand existing programs. While this will incur additional costs, we believe it will contribute to the further development of OFP.

Addressing Risks through Membership Fee Review

Introduction of the Fee Waiver System: To assist those for whom financial burdens are a barrier to participation, we will establish a fee waiver system to minimize the impact of membership fees on participation.

Examples of Application

• For refugees and their families: Waiver of membership and participation fees
• If you are facing economic hardships due to disabilities, illnesses, single-parent households, non-taxable households, or unstable employment: Membership fee waiver and half-price membership dues.
• Students with significant tuition burdens, such as those utilizing scholarships: Membership and enrollment fees are half price.
• Other reasonable accommodations may be necessary

Thank you very much for reading to the end. This concludes the explanation of the reasons and background for the membership fee review. We sincerely ask for your understanding and cooperation.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the office at (info@j-ii.org). We appreciate your continued support of OFP.

October 2023

Otonari-san Family Friend Program (OFP) Management Team

*Reference: 2022 Activity Report Activity Report Activity Financial Statement (PL)