What we do

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Activities(1981~2023)

The Nihon Chukinto Africa Fujinkai (NCAF) was founded in 1981 by Japanese women seeking to build friendship with the Middle East and African countries, and today it consists of more than 100 members. The main objective of this group is to promote friendship with women from African and the Middle Eastern countries residing in Japan, and to understand each other’s cultures. Furthermore, through activities such as charity bazaars, NCAF is continuing to raise funds for people in need of assistance in these regions.

[1] Introducing the Middle East and African cultures

*NCAF has pioneered in introducing the Middle East and African cultures in Japan since the 1980’s.

We have organized seminars entitled “Getting to Know Africa I”(1987), “Wanting to Know Africa II”

(1990) at the National Women’s Education Center. Along with the wives of ambassadors and embassy

staffs, NCAF have invited Africa related researchers and musicians to hold lectures, exhibitions,

debates, concerts, etc. on various themes such as African history, music, cooking, fashion, lifestyle

and women’s roles in society. It has continued to deepen the understanding and relations amongst

the Middle East/African countries through events such as “Get to Know Arab Countries”, “Introducing

African Myths”, “Introducing African Culture – Marriage” etc.

*NCAF has organized seminars with the ambassadors and wives of the Middle East and African

countries to introduce their countries and their connections with Japan.

*NCAF has held concerts, fashion shows and cooking classes coming from the Middle East and African

countries.

*NCAF has published African and Arab cooking books: “African and Arab Cooking (1991)” and “New

African and Arab Cooking (2001)” with recipes provided by the ladies of African and Arab Embassies

in Japan and with Japanese translations. Over 10,000 copies have been printed so far, and sales

profits have been donated to UNICEF, UNHCR and others.

*NCAF has published books of traditional lullabies sung across Africa.

“African Lullaby”(1983) and “African LullabyII (2007). It also recorded lullabies sung by ladies of

African Embassies and transcribed them into musical scores and added Japanese translations.

[2] Interaction with ladies of the Middle East and Africa living in Japan

*Classes regularly held: ・Japanese Language ・Ikebana ・Chorus ・Knitting

* Small group activities: ・Handicraft Group・Cooking Group・National Costume Group・Food Products Group

*WakuWaku: Outings and gatherings to extend friendships amongst ladies through understanding

each other’s history, culture, arts, lifestyle, education, environment and health,

* Introducing Japanese culture

Japanese ancient myths (old tales of “Kojiki”), Japanese marriages, Japanese cooking, Japanese tea

ceremony and Origami.

Traditional events (New Year’s Mochi-tsuki, Hinamatsuri Festival, Hanami, Tanabata Festival),

wearing kimono experience etc.

*Visits and excursions

Social/economic facilities: The Diet Bldg. (House of Parliament), Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Office, factories, markets, social welfare facilities, hazard prevention centers

Cultural/sports facilities: sumo stables, museums, Kabuki, English Rakugo

Experiencing seasonal events: picking fruits, digging sweet potatoes, summer river cruise, dragnet

fishing

Scenic and historical sites: Nikko, Kamakura, Hakone, Mashiko, Nagatoro, Choshi, various

sightseeing spots in Tokyo etc.

* Visiting Nobeyama Branch of the Women’s Association of Minami-Makimura Village, Nagano

Prefecture

NCAF has visited Nobeyama ten times since 1986, to greet the local ladies in the village and

specifically to Minami-Makimura Minami Elementary School whereby Arab and African ladies

introduced their countries to the students.

[3] Charity Activities

*Charity Bazaar

Since 1981, NCAF have held Charity Bazaars every other year, commemorating the 21st occasion in 2023. The Imperial family has been present alongside approx.. 2,000 visitors at each event. African and Arab Embassies (21 embassies and ADIWA participated in the 21st Bazaar) sell crafts and national dishes at their tables, in addition to sales of hand-made crafts made by NCAF members. The tables are provided for enterprises and individuals generating revenues for the charitable cause.The total amount of donations made through Charity Bazaar 1981 ~ 2023 ¥192,145,000

¥58,090,000

To UNICEF, Red Crescent, Red Cross Japan, UNRWA, UNHCR, etc. 

To institutions for women and children of Arab and African countries that participated in Bazaars: Treatment of cancer/ AIDS/ heart disease,orphans/autistic children/children with disabilities children’s education/living, women’s independence/vocational training, etc. (*1)

¥61,702,000

To NGO, NPO: Campaign for the Children of Palestine,CARA, SUPA,Saidia Fraha, Medecins sans Frontieres, ROCINANTES, ILFAR, etc.(*2)

¥32,595,000

Plan International Japan (Foster Plan Japan) , Japanese Committee for the Children of Palestine -- Have supported 387 children since 1988 (*3)

¥30,118,000

Other donations, emergency assistance: Sudan Civil War, Earthquakes in Morocco and Algeria, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, COVID-19, Explosion in Lebanon, etc. (*4)

¥9,640,000

*1 Recent donations: protection of women with unwanted pregnancies abandoned by their families,provide hospitals with supplies to fight Covid infection, to a hospital for victims of sexual violence(doctor later won the Nobel Peace Prize).

*2 As of 2023, continuously supporting 4 NGO/NPOs in Japan.

*3 As of 2023, supporting 7 children in Africa and 1 Palestinian child in a Lebanon refugee camp to improve education and living environments. NCAF members are exchanging letters with these children.

*4 In 2011, donated 1.1 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross as emergency support for the Great East Japan Earthquake, and in 2012 at the request of the Middle East and African embassies a donation of 2.5 million yen was given to five social welfare groups in the Tohoku region to assist reconstruction.

*Participation and cooperation with other charity groups

*NCAF has participated in African Festa held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Global Festa held by the Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC) by performing African fashion shows, booth for trying on costumes and photo-shoot.

*NCAF has participated in the African Fair organized by JETRO on the occasion of TICAD IV (2008).

Made bags, clothes and interior decoration accessories under the theme "Using African material and making things which suit Japanese taste”. NCAF presented them to the African side as samples of what would be attractive to the Japanese people.

*NCAF has participated in various events held by AWAAJ (The Association of Wives of African Ambassadors in Japan) and SWAAJ (The Society of Wives of Arab Ambassadors in Japan), Yokohama Town FestivalY154, etc.

*NCAF has donated clothes, blankets, vegetable seeds, stationery, etc. to African countries.

*Upon request from various organizations and municipal offices, NCAF has introduced culture/cooking of African and Arab countries, rented out national costumes and helped out in elementary/junior high schools and college extended classes, etc.