About Rotary

📊 Global Scale of Our Organization

● Worldwide: Over 200 countries and regions / Approx. 46,000 clubs / Approx. 1.4 million members

● Japan: Approx. 2,200 clubs / Approx. 80,000 members

📜 1. The Birth and History of Rotary

Rotary was founded in Chicago, USA, in 1905, centered around a young attorney named Paul Harris. Experiencing a sense of loneliness in the big city, Paul Harris held a strong desire to "build a warm circle of business friends who could trust one another, just like back in his hometown."

To achieve this, they adopted a system where members represented different vocations ("one representative from each business or profession"). Because they met in rotation at each other's offices, the name "Rotary Club" was born.

In 1974, our own Rotary Club of Katsuta was founded here in Hitachinaka City (formerly Katsuta City), Ibaraki Prefecture, and we have proudly continued our community-focused activities ever since.

🏛️ 2. Core Activities and Programs

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[ What is Rotary? ]

● Rotary International (External Link)

One of the world’s largest private foundations, administering humanitarian initiatives and cross-border scholarship programs.

● The Rotary Foundation (External Link)

One of the world’s largest private foundations, administering humanitarian initiatives and cross-border scholarship programs.

● Our Challenge to End Polio (External Link)

Since 1985, Rotary has consistently provided vaccines, reducing global polio cases by over 99.9%. We are now just one step away from complete eradication.

● Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation (International Student Support) (External Link)

Japan’s largest private scholarship organization for international students. Members engage deeply with scholars as their "host families/counselors in Japan," nurturing leaders who bridge nations.

● RYLA & Rotary Youth Exchange (External Link)

We foster future global citizens through RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards)—a leadership training program for youths in their teens and twenties—as well as year-long study abroad programs for high school students.

● Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus to Save the World (External Link)

We carry out sustainable global initiatives centered on seven defined areas: Promoting peace, Fighting disease, Providing clean water and sanitation, Saving mothers and children, Supporting education, Growing local economies, and Protecting the environment.

● "Vocational Service": Contributing to Society Through Our Profession

We are a gathering of professionals with high ethical standards who strive to improve society through our daily work. Here, you will find opportunities for both business growth and cross-industry exchange.