Location Tokyo Founded 1919 | Country Japan Membership 33,593 | |
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Headquarters Nishihara 1-40-3, Shibuya-ku Affiliation World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts | ||
The Girl Scouts of Japan (ガールスカウト日本連盟, Gārusukauto Nippon Renmei) is the girls-only Scouting organization serving Japan, founded in 1919. It became a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 1952 and had 33,593 members as of 2014.
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History
Girl Scouting was first introduced in Japan in 1919 by Miss Muriel Greenstreet, a British missionary teacher. The movement gradually spread, and in 1920 took the name Nihon Joshi Hododan (Girl Guides of Japan). In 1928 Japan became a founder member of WAGGGS. Girl Scouting was banned by the government during World War II, restarted in 1947, and was officially recognized as Girl Scouts of Japan in 1949.
In 2000, Her Highness Princess Sayako attended a variety of events in the Tokyo metropolitan area and in regional Japan, including the ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Girl Scouts of Tokyo, and the opening ceremony for the Togakushi Girl Scouts Center to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Girl Scouting movement in Japan.
The Girl Scout program in Japan focuses on three major points – self-development, human relations, and nature. Some of the Girl Scout activities include working with the disabled, planting trees, and protecting the environment from floods and air pollution.
Program and ideals
The Girl Scouts are divided into
The Girl Scout emblem incorporates a sakura, a cherry blossom. May 22 is Girl Scout Day.
Law
- I am cheerful and courageous at all times.
- I respect all living things.
- I am a friend to all, and a sister to every Girl Scout.
- I am courteous.
- I use time and resources wisely.
- I think and act on my own.
- I am responsible for what I say and do.
- I try to be sincere.