I wish you all the best in the new year.
Nearly 15 years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, and during that time, numerous large-scale natural disasters have occurred both in Japan and overseas, making long-term mental health support for affected areas a common challenge.
Kokorogake began its activities immediately after the earthquake, and in 2015 it became the ninth certified NPO in Iwate Prefecture. Following the first in 2020, it passed its second renewal audit in 2025. We are deeply grateful for your understanding and support. We hope to share the long-term support know-how we have accumulated so far with new disaster-stricken areas.
On the other hand, with the 10th anniversary of the earthquake, subsidies and grants from the public and private sectors have been reduced, making it time to select and focus our activities. From 2023, we have been developing two projects: a resident participation salon and support for the next generation of leaders. However, from 2026, we plan to return to Inazo Nitobe's philosophy of "Think Globally, Act Locally," which Kokorogake inherits, and shift our focus to activities that address environmental change on a global scale.
Environmental change brings about the experience of loss, where something that was there before disappears. The basis of long-term mental health support can be said to be empathy for loss and collaboration to strengthen resilience. Environmental change is not limited to natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires, and floods. The frequent political upheavals, wars, conflicts, riots, and divisions occurring around the world are also environmental changes that weigh heavily on the mind.
Kokoro-gake's parent organizations are JAMSNET Tokyo (renamed JAMSNET Japan two years ago), an NPO supporting Japanese people living overseas, and the Japanese Psychiatric Emergency Society, which specializes in providing support during sudden changes in the environment. Immediately after the earthquake, mental health professionals affiliated with both organizations took the lead in establishing a disaster relief team with support from the Japan Society of America and the Japanese Medical Association of America. This is why Kokoro-gake's articles of incorporation include a commitment to international cooperation. At the 2024 general meeting, the articles of incorporation were amended to change the scope of activities from "domestic disaster areas" to "domestic and international disaster areas," and preparations have been underway to expand activities that will lead to the development of the next generation of leaders, including Japanese people living overseas.
The year 2026 will be a major turning point for Kokoroga. We appreciate your continued support.
We wish you all happiness and good health.
Certified NPO Corporation Kokoro-no-Kakehashi Iwate (Bridge of Hearts) Chairman Suzuki Mitsuru
