Currently, we are facing various borderless, worldwide problems such as poverty, refugees, and environmental destruction.We, Bridge Asia Japan (BAJ), are searching for solutions to these global problems by thinking and acting locally.We provide assistance to develop self-reliance among socially vulnerable and disadvantaged people such as children, women, disabled persons, refugees, returnees, people with limited access to water, education, jobs and so on.Promoting mutual understanding through exchanging views and sharing experience is BAJ’s underlying principle, and we wish to build bridges of heart among Asian people by overcoming the differences of race, ethnicity, political affiliation, religion, language and culture.

At present, BAJ carries out its activities in three countries in Asia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. And at BAJ Headquarters in Tokyo, we conduct a wide variety of domestic activities for achieving the above mission.

1.1　Introducing Tailoring Products and Handicrafts
In Maungdaw, Rakhine State, Myanmar, we have held tailoring training courses for women including Muslim returnees from Bangladesh since 1999, and the trainees and graduates are making blouses, skirts, bags and small handicrafts there. Besides selling these products at local markets, they send some of them to BAJ Tokyo and we introduce them at various bazaars and fair trade shops.

1.2　Holding Various Classes
In order to disseminate information on BAJ activities to more people in Japan, we have held Myanmar Language Class, Vietnamese Cooking Class and Myanmar Tailoring Class in which unique and beautiful cloths from Myanmar are used. By talking about people’s life in the countries where BAJ operates through language lessons, cooking and tailoring, we wish to raise interest in our activities in these countries.

1.3　Holding Reporting Sessions
BAJ holds reporting sessions to inform about the latest situations at our project sites when staff members and experts sent abroad come back to Japan. In some reporting sessions, we serve popular dishes of the country on which reporting is done. And at this kind of session, you can hear about hardships encountered while carrying out projects as well as about thinking and attitude required for continuing field activities, which you can seldom do at other occasions. BAJ put up information on these reporting sessions on this website, so don't miss it.

1.4　Events and Study Tours
For gaining understanding on BAJ activities from more people in Japan, we hold various events such as bazaar and charity concert and organize study tours to show our project sites abroad to our supporters. We also take part in many events held in our domestic network for international cooperation for PR purpose.

1.5　Receiving Volunteers and Interns
Activities at BAJ Tokyo are supported by many volunteers. At present, around 200 persons with different age groups and occupations are registered as volunteers, and some regularly come to our office to assist administrative work and others hold sewing classes utilizing their sewing skills, etc. BAJ holds Volunteer Seminars on Wednesday evening of the first week and on the Saturday afternoon of the third week. Whoever interested are welcome to these seminars. BAJ also receives Interns, so please consult us beforehand if you are interested.