History
History of Japan Asian Association & Asian Friendship Society (JAFS)
Kimihiko Murakami, the founder of JAFS (now the Executive Director) was studying in India in his early 20s. When he was traveling in the rural areas of southern region of Bangalore and his bodily fluids was depleted by the scorching sun, he met a farmer and was kindly given the water from a jar by the farmer. It was cold and delicious and cured the young Murakamiʼ s thirst.
After a few weeks, he found himself lying in the hospital in South India. He got typhoid fever. That “water” was dirty and pumped from the pond.
While he was lying in the bed, the Indian friends whom he met in the school visited him and talked about problems in the rural areas of India. He, then, realized the importance of the water and urged him to do something about it.
In 1970, he founded EPOS Club, predecessor of JAFS, then the earthquake hit West Bengal in India and saw the devastation. In the situation, he re-affirmed that the safe water has been the most important and needed. Eventually in 1979, he founded JAFS, and the history goes on.
Chronological table
- Feb. 1972
- Organized The Epos Club (Founded by Rev. K. Murakami)
- Oct. 1979
- The Epos Club is reorganized into Asian Friendship Society (Founded by Rev. K. Murakami)
- May. 1980
- The first well was constructed by JAFS in Ghogali Village, Nagpur, India.
- Aug. 1981
- The 1st workcamp was held in India, and has been continued now in several Asian countries.
- Aug. 1984
- The 1st Earth, Water and Green Summer School was held in Takada, Shingu-City, Wakayama Pref. and has been continued for 20 years as of 2003.
- Oct. 1986
- JAFS was awarded with “Regional Exchange Promoting Award” by The Japan Foundation.
- Apr. 1988
- JAFS has become the first corporation aggregate in Osaka Pref.
- Apr. 1988
- Mr. Sadao Shibatani (President, Hankyu Corporation) was elected as the first President of JAFS.
- July. 1988
- JAFS was awarded with Osaka Governors Award for our contribution and promotion in the international exchange programs.
- Aug. 1989
- JAFS has held the 1st Asian Afforestation Training program, and continued for 11 years as of 2000.
- May. 1990
- Mr. Katsumi Yokoi (President, Matsushita Refrigeration Inc.) was elected as the second President of JAFS
- Oct. 1990
- The 1st Asian International Network Seminar was held in Thailand and has continued for 14 years as of 2003.
- Apr. 1994
- JAFS began the Pandan Pipeline water supply project in Philippines and completed in April 1999.
- Jan. 1995
- JAFS made reconstructing support for the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.
- July. 1996
- JAFS held Kumano International forestry and cultural exchange conference.
- Apr. 1999
- JAFS has begun International Water & Green Day Campaign (also known as Green Scout).
- June. 1999
- The first International Green Scout Campaign was held in Bangkok, Thailand.
- Sep. 1999
- JAFS has celebrated the 20th Anniversary.
- May. 2000
- Mr. Toshiharu Shibata (President, Asahi Broadcasting Inc.) was elected as the third President of JAFS.
- July. 2002
- The first Korea-Japan International Cultural Exchange Seminar was held in Miyama, Kyoto.
- Nov. 2002
- JAFS Watershed Project has begun and has continued to today.
- Mar. 2003
- JAFS International Symposium on Water was held in Osaka.
- Apr. 2005
- JAFS joins the Japan Platform for Disaster Emergency Assistance. JAFS sent experts to Indonesia and Pakistan when they had earthquakes and dt tsunami.
- May. 2005
- JAFS undertakes a project in Japan-China Forestation Fund funded by the Japanese government
- Dec. 2006
- JAFS sent experts for Indonesia
- Aug. 2007
- The first Friendship Youth Summit was held in August in India and in December in Japan.
- Nov. 2007
- JAFS assisted in the relief work of Bangladesh at the time of the cyclone “Sidr.”
- May. 2008
- Preparing to assist Myanmar for the cyclone “Nargis” and China for the major earthquake in Sichuan.
- Oct. 2009
- The 30th Anniversary of JAFS
- Nov. 2009
- The First Asia Youth Summit
- Apr. 2010
- Mr. Hagio Senri becomes 4th President of JAFS
- Oct-Mar. 2010
- Indonesia Padan Earthquake Relief Activities
- Oct-Mar. 2010
- Philippines Typhoon “Ondoy” Relief Activities
- Mar. 2011
- Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan Relief Activities (Continue)
- Apr. 2012
- JAFS becomes Japanese Government Recognized association.
- Aug. 2013
- The 3rd Friendship Youth Summit was hold
- Nov. 2013
- Philippines Typhoon “Haiyan” Relief Activities
- Nov. 2014
- “Haiyan Concert” was hold in Manila, Philippines
- Apr. 2015
- Nepal Earthquake Relief Activities