Volunteer Attraction Special Class "Bogaku" for Junior High Students, Attended by Over 20,000 in 145 Schools Nationwide, Recruiting Implementing Schools
The Nippon Foundation Volunteer Center is recruiting schools for "Bogaku," a free volunteer outreach program for junior high school students for the 2026 academic year. Since its start in 2022, over 20,000 students in 145 schools nationwide have participated, learning the joy and significance of social contribution through volunteering.
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Nippon Foundation Volunteer Center (hereinafter Nippon Foundation Volasen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Chairman Yasushi Yamawaki) is recruiting schools for "Bogaku" (ボ学), a volunteer outreach program for junior high school students, for the 2026 academic year.
"Bogaku" is a special class where experienced volunteers visit junior high schools nationwide to convey the joy of volunteering, how to engage with a diverse society, and how to participate in society in ways they can do themselves, through their real experiences and video materials.
Since its inception in 2022, a total of 21,377 students from 145 schools nationwide have participated by the 2025 academic year, and the number of schools continuously adopting the program each year is increasing.
What is "Bogaku"?
"Bogaku" is an outreach program developed for junior high school students, lasting approximately 45-50 minutes.
Lecturers are experienced volunteers who have been active in various fields such as disaster relief, sports events, environmental conservation, community activities, and overseas support. They clearly convey their real-life experiences using photos, videos, and actual goods they have used.
Experienced volunteers visit schools as lecturers, sharing their personal experiences and using videos to convey the appeal, enjoyment, and social significance of volunteering.
Click here for the Bogaku introduction page
Three Features of "Bogaku"
① Class content aligned with curriculum guidelines
It conveys the importance of compassion and the significance of social participation, which are also described in the moral education curriculum guidelines. Furthermore, as a class connected to career education, it helps students realize the meaning of work and consider their future career paths.
② Adjustable according to school and community needs
We listen to the requests of each school and adjust the program to be implemented with suitable lecturers and content tailored to their needs. It can also be held in conjunction with school events, local events, or current affairs.
③ Lecturers, materials, and facilitation all provided free of charge
All necessary items for conducting the class are provided by the Nippon Foundation Volunteer Center. This minimizes the burden on teachers and allows for smooth implementation.
Implementation Results (2022-2025 academic year)
Schools implemented: 145 schools
Number of students participated: 21,377 people
Prefectures implemented: Ibaraki Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, Tokyo Metropolis, Kanagawa Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture
Implementation Overview
Target: Junior high schools nationwide (arrangements for elementary and high schools are also consultable)
Format: In-person outreach class
Time: Approximately 45-50 minutes (adjustable)
Cost: Free
Application method: Accepting applications via the official website (https://www.volacen.jp/project/vogaku/)
Participant Voices
Students:
"They taught me that volunteering can be enjoyable, and I felt encouraged to start volunteering."
"I started an activity for someone else, but through that activity, I learned about the local people and businesses, and I realized it would eventually be helpful to myself."
Teachers:
"It was a very good opportunity for the students. The content was easy to understand, and they understood that volunteering not only helps others but also leads to their own growth."
●Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Nippon Foundation Volunteer Center (Nippon Foundation Volasen) Overview
The Nippon Foundation Volasen was established in 2010 as the NPO Nippon Student Volunteer Center, starting its support for student volunteer activities, and dispatched over 12,000 students to disaster-stricken areas of the Great East Japan Earthquake by March 2022.
In 2021, it changed its name to "Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Nippon Foundation Volunteer Center" and is now implementing volunteer-related projects targeting a wide range of generations, not just students. For the Tokyo 2020 Games, it was involved in training and development projects for volunteers, and since then, it has also conducted volunteer training for large-scale events such as the World Athletics Championships, and supported volunteer organizations, having concluded partnership agreements with 120 universities nationwide. The number of registered users on its operated volunteer platform site "Bokatsu!" currently numbers approximately 54,000.
Location: Nippon Foundation Second Building 4F, 1-11-2 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001
Representative: Chairman Yasushi Yamawaki
"Bogaku" is a special class where experienced volunteers visit junior high schools nationwide to convey the joy of volunteering, how to engage with a diverse society, and how to participate in society in ways they can do themselves, through their real experiences and video materials.
Since its inception in 2022, a total of 21,377 students from 145 schools nationwide have participated by the 2025 academic year, and the number of schools continuously adopting the program each year is increasing.
What is "Bogaku"?
"Bogaku" is an outreach program developed for junior high school students, lasting approximately 45-50 minutes.
Lecturers are experienced volunteers who have been active in various fields such as disaster relief, sports events, environmental conservation, community activities, and overseas support. They clearly convey their real-life experiences using photos, videos, and actual goods they have used.
Experienced volunteers visit schools as lecturers, sharing their personal experiences and using videos to convey the appeal, enjoyment, and social significance of volunteering.
Click here for the Bogaku introduction page
Three Features of "Bogaku"
① Class content aligned with curriculum guidelines
It conveys the importance of compassion and the significance of social participation, which are also described in the moral education curriculum guidelines. Furthermore, as a class connected to career education, it helps students realize the meaning of work and consider their future career paths.
② Adjustable according to school and community needs
We listen to the requests of each school and adjust the program to be implemented with suitable lecturers and content tailored to their needs. It can also be held in conjunction with school events, local events, or current affairs.
③ Lecturers, materials, and facilitation all provided free of charge
All necessary items for conducting the class are provided by the Nippon Foundation Volunteer Center. This minimizes the burden on teachers and allows for smooth implementation.
Implementation Results (2022-2025 academic year)
Schools implemented: 145 schools
Number of students participated: 21,377 people
Prefectures implemented: Ibaraki Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, Tokyo Metropolis, Kanagawa Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture
Implementation Overview
Target: Junior high schools nationwide (arrangements for elementary and high schools are also consultable)
Format: In-person outreach class
Time: Approximately 45-50 minutes (adjustable)
Cost: Free
Application method: Accepting applications via the official website (https://www.volacen.jp/project/vogaku/)
Participant Voices
Students:
"They taught me that volunteering can be enjoyable, and I felt encouraged to start volunteering."
"I started an activity for someone else, but through that activity, I learned about the local people and businesses, and I realized it would eventually be helpful to myself."
Teachers:
"It was a very good opportunity for the students. The content was easy to understand, and they understood that volunteering not only helps others but also leads to their own growth."
●Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Nippon Foundation Volunteer Center (Nippon Foundation Volasen) Overview
The Nippon Foundation Volasen was established in 2010 as the NPO Nippon Student Volunteer Center, starting its support for student volunteer activities, and dispatched over 12,000 students to disaster-stricken areas of the Great East Japan Earthquake by March 2022.
In 2021, it changed its name to "Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Nippon Foundation Volunteer Center" and is now implementing volunteer-related projects targeting a wide range of generations, not just students. For the Tokyo 2020 Games, it was involved in training and development projects for volunteers, and since then, it has also conducted volunteer training for large-scale events such as the World Athletics Championships, and supported volunteer organizations, having concluded partnership agreements with 120 universities nationwide. The number of registered users on its operated volunteer platform site "Bokatsu!" currently numbers approximately 54,000.
Location: Nippon Foundation Second Building 4F, 1-11-2 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001
Representative: Chairman Yasushi Yamawaki