About Our Foundation

Outline

  • Date of Establishment
    October 4, 1990
    (We made a new beginning as the Public Interest Incorporated Univers Foundation, effective on April 1, 2012.)
  • Background
    By the wishes of the late Master Shinjo Ito, the founder of Shinnyo-en, the Univers Foundation was formed in order to promote the enhancement of elderly welfare from an international viewpoint.
  • Contact Information
    • The Univers Foundation
      YPC Bldg. 5F, 2-14-8 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004 Japan
      Tel.+81) 3-3350-9002 Fax.+81) 3-3350-9008

    • KOBE office
      Eishin Bldg. 5F, 4-2-27 Gokodori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 651-0087 Japan
      Tel.+81) 78-221-5901 Fax.+81) 78-221-5902

Mission Statement

The 21st century will soon begin, ushering in what may be called the “super aging society.” According to the forecast of the Institute of Population Problems of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, such a society in which the elderly represent one-fourth of the population is close at hand.

The realization of a society in which people enjoy long lives is something everyone has probably wished for. However, as this is our first encounter with this situation, there are many issues that we must deal with. Now is the time to concentrate our energy and knowledge to prepare for the arrival of this age so that we can celebrate humanity increased life span.

We have seriously considered what we can do to effectively deal with the aging society, especially welfare for the elderly.
Eventually, we all must face this issue as our own personal problem.

Individuals, groups and administrations with foresight have already commenced concentrating their efforts on activities to handle this issue. However, the accumulation of academic information regarding trends in other countries and international exchange in the area of welfare for the elderly is as yet, insufficient.

For this reason, we decided to establish a now foundation that would act as a channels of information and a facilitator for serious activities and research that examine this issue that faces all of humanity and will lead the way in the 21st century.

The Univers Foundation strives for the creation of an affluent and joyful aging society by 1) contributing to international surveys and research regarding welfare for the elderly; 2) supporting the international exchange of researchers of welfare for the elderly; 3) encouraging and increasing the volunteer activities performed by the elderly and promoting international exchange in these activities.

UNIVERS means humanity or the world in French. Through its various activities, the Univers Foundation will devote itself to investigating aspects of the aging of society, an issue that can be called humanity problem, and thereby make an effective contribution to society.

October 4, 1990

  • We received Public Interest Corporation Authorization from the prime minister and we made a new beginning as the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, effective on April 1, 2012.
    Approaching issues of aging from a global perspective, the Univers Foundation contributes to the promotion of social welfare in an aging society – with a falling birthrate and declining population – by providing grant programs, human resource development, and opportunities for international exchange.

    In order to accomplish this end, we shall carry out following projects:
  1. Grant programs for International Surveys and Research, and Civilian Activities
  2. International Exchange among Researchers and Human Resource Development
  3. International Exchanges in Volunteerism
  4. Raising Awareness of Volunteerism
  5. Other Projects Essential to Achieve the Foundation’s Aim