ABOUT US
About us
Someone to turn to when things get tough. A chance to help when you can. We want that kind of mutual support to be part of everyday life.
OUR MISSION
Everyday experiences. Better support.
Not enough money. No one to talk to. Bokyu means preparing before these worries become serious hardship. We connect people who listen to everyday experiences with researchers to find better ways to help.
With communities, universities, local governments and businesses, we research, learn together and make support easier to find. Step by step, we work to help it reach the people who need it.
RESEARCH
Our research labs
Community Research Lab
We study local communities and ways to make community voices visible.
Inclusive Society Research Lab
We research and share Bokyu training, an educational program that helps protect lives when hardship arises.
Rethinking Rest Research Lab
We run pilot projects and workshops exploring new ways of working.
MEMBERS
Directors and auditor
Chair
Koichiro Shiratori
Takushoku University
Director
Isahiro Kamatani
Otani University
Director
Misao Kikuchi
Representative Director, Amayadori (public interest incorporated association)
Auditor
Toshiaki Mochizuki
Advisor and Fundraiser, Grameen Nippon
OUR HISTORY
Our journey
- 2020
Activities begin under Shiratori’s leadership, with volunteers forming a poverty research group.
- 2021
The group becomes the Inclusion Research Group. Planning begins for Bokyu training workshops.
- 2022
NHK features our Bokyu workshops. We begin presenting at academic conferences and developing apps.
- 2023
The Institute of Poverty Prevention is established and registered as a general incorporated association in June. Our team wins the top prize at the Tokyo Governor’s Cup Hackathon.
- 2024
The Bokyu Research Group is established. We co-organize Bokyu Summit 2024 and sign a partnership agreement with Fujimi City.
- 2025
Joint research with GovTech Tokyo is published. Bokyu Summit 2025 takes place in Fujimi City.
Mutual support in our logo
The hermit crab and sea anemone symbolize a mutually supportive relationship. The golden stars they hold express our hope that, together, we can create a society where everyone can have dreams and aspirations.
ORGANIZATION
Organization profile
- Name
- Institute of Poverty Prevention (general incorporated association)
- Representative
- Chair: Koichiro Shiratori
- Registered
- June 2023
- Address
- Shiratori Laboratory, Takushoku University, 3-4-14 Kohinata, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8585, Japan
- Partners
- proj-inclusive (civic tech group), Bokyu Research Group