Tokyo offers some interesting opportunities if you’re looking to do some volunteer work. This may be with organisations such as Amnesty International, Greenpeace, the Red Cross or the World Wildlife Fund. You can look up any specific organisations on the internet to see if they have openings, or try the following website about volunteering in Japan:

• http://www.4icj.com/jp/10-seasonal-jobs-volunteering.htm

Volunteers For Peace organises volunteer projects around Japan of two to three weeks in duration, from May to September. Their projects are diverse in nature, ranging from construction and renovation of low-income housing or community buildings, historic preservation, archaeology, environmental education, wildlife surveying, park maintenance and organic farming, to working with children, the elderly, the physically or mentally handicapped, as well as in arts events and festivals. You will work in groups of eight to twelve people and must be over 18. You can apply as an individual or as a couple. For more information:

• http://www.vfp.org

Concordia is a small UK-based charity which organises volunteer projects in the same areas as Volunteers for Peace but is only open to UK residents. Their aim is to promote inter-cultural understanding. Again you must be over 18, although a number of programmes also exist for 16 and 17 year olds. For more information:

• http://www.concordia-iye.org.uk

Oxfam International works in over a hundred countries around the world combating poverty and lobbying for policy changes at both the national and international levels. Oxfam Japan is still very small and is in need of committed volunteers:

• http://www.oxfam.jp/english