Facts on Scouting in Japan

Scouting was first introduced to Japan by a professor in Hiroshima College in 1909. However, it was not until 1915 that Scouting started to spread around the country.

The Federation of Boy Scouts of Japan was formed in 1922 and became one of the founding members of the International Scout Conference. In 1944, due to the war, the Federation was dissolved, but Scouting continued. After the war in 1946, the National Association of the Boys Scouts of Nippon was established and resumed the full membership of the World Scout Conference in 1951.

In 1971, Japan was host to the 13th World Scout Jamboree which was held at Asagiri Heights in the foothills of Mount Fuji. The Jamboree was attended by 23,758 Scouts from 87 countries.

The 23rd World Scout Conference was held in Tokyo after the World Jamboree.

The National Association was re-named as Scout Association of Japan (SAJ) in 1995. SAJ has opened the doors to the girls/female youth in all Sections at the same time.

A National Jamboree is held in Japan every four years, attended by Scouts from all over the world.

For older Scouts named Venture Scouts, a National Camp called "Nippon Venture" is held every four years between National Jamborees since 1983.

Scouting in Japan has four training sections for the boys and girls.

* Beaver Scout aged 6-8
* Cub Scouts aged 8 - 11 years
* Scouts aged 11 - 14 years
* Venture Scouts aged 14 - 18 years
* Rovers aged 18 - 24 years

The first four sections have a progressive badge system.

The first badge in each section is for "orientation", to allow a new member a period in which he can learn about the section.

To develop individuals' own interest and specialties, each section has a choice of Proficiency Badges.

Beaver Scout

Promise:
1. I get along with everybody else.
2. I follow the Colony Laws.

Colony Laws:
1. Beaver Scouts play cheerfully.
2. Beaver Scouts take good care of things.
3. Beaver Scouts do good deeds.

Uniforms:
The Beaver Scouts’ uniform consist of a brown vest with pocket coloured light blue, short trousers, blue socks, chief with the ring and a light blue cap.

Age(Progress) Badges: Beaver Badge, Big Beaver Badge

Skill Awards: Leaf Award (38 details) and Twig Award (5 Subjects)

Cub Scouts

Cub Scout Motto: Always, Be in High Spirits

Promise:
I promise to behave honestly and steadily, and to follow the Pack Laws.

Pack Laws:
1. Cub Scouts obey
2. Cub Scouts look after themselves
3. Cub Scouts work together
4. Cub Scouts help younger ones
5. Cub Scouts do good deeds

Uniforms:
The Cub Scouts' uniform consists of a blue shirt and shorts or long trousers, a Group scarf and a
blue Cub cap.

Age (Progress) Badges: Risu (Squirrel) Badge for orientation period, Usagi (Hare) Badge, Shika (Deer) Badge, Kuma (Bear) Badge

Skill Award: Challenge Awards (38 Subjects)Badges:

Scouts to Scouters

Scout Motto: Be Prepared

Promise:
On my honor, I promise I will do my best to do
my duty to God (or Buddha) and the country,
and to obey the Scout Laws, to help other
people at all times, and to keep myself
physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

Scout Laws:
1. A Scout is faithful
2. A Scout is friendly
3. A Scout is courteous
4. A Scout is kind
5. A Scout is cheerful
6. A Scout is thrifty
7. A Scout is courageous
8. A Scout is thankful

Uniforms:
The other sections wear a khaki shirt with either khaki shorts or trousers, a Group scarf and an
old style Scout hat. Senior Scouts and Rover Scouts can wear green shorts or trousers, by the
decision of each Unit.

Badges:
the classes are: Scout (orientation), Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class and Kiku
(Chrysanthemum).

The Rover Section does not have a badge system. Instead, the section helps each Rover
to develop through outdoor activities and service to others.

Progress Badges:
In the Scout section, there are four badges to encourage Scouts to perform character-Building
and skill-development activities in Patrols. They are Sho-Kyu (Tenderfoot), Ni-Kyu (2nd Class),
Ikkyu (1st Class), Kiku (Chrysanthemum, the highest lank in Boy Scout section)

The four classes in the Senior Scout section are:
Green Senior (orientation), Senior, Hayabusa (Falcon) and the highest class, Fuji, the name of Japan's highest mountain.

Skill Award:
Skill Awards (21 subjects) for Scouts, and Proficiency Badges (72 subjects) for Venture
Scouts. After obtaining 2-Kyu Badge, Scouts can also challenge Proficiency Badges
Additional information about Japan may be obtained from: http://www.scout.or.jp/e/index.html

Membership of the Scout Association of Japan

Beaver Scout Section (aged 6-8) : 2,203 Colonies 13,962 7,268
Cub Scout Section (aged 8-11) : 2,638, Packs 32,086 14,492
Scout Section (aged 11-15) : 2,658, Troops 31,700 10,071
Venture Scout Section (aged 15-19) : 2,411, Units 15,217 5,087
Rover Scout Section (aged 18-24) : 1,585, Crews 10,709 2,420

Group Committee 2,763

Groups 26,519
Scout Club 120
Clubs 858
(Japanese Scout Parliamentary Association) (203)
Prefectural Scout Councils 47
Councils 114
National HQ 168

Total 103,674 66,897

Grand Total 170,571 (as of September 2006)

Scout Association of Japan (SAJ)
4-11-10, Osawa, Mitaka-shi

Tokyo 181-0015

Japan
Tel: +81-422-31-5161

Fax: +81-422-31-5162

Inside Japan

Open a world map and look at the extensive Asia/Pacific region. Almost at the very center, you’ll discover the Japan archipelago stretching north to south along the eastern edge of the Asia continent. Japan has lured untold numbers of adventures since Marco Polo first introduced it to the world back in the 13th century as “Zipangu – the Land of Gold.” Though the Japan of today may not be a land of gold, the “Neo Zipangu” does possess powerful and magnet-like attractions: great cultural variety, colourful and inspiring natural attractions beautifully interwoven by distinct four seasonal changes, not to mention the overflowing hospitality of its people. As such, Japan is vigorously gaining in popularity as a tourist destination that is easily accessible from any part of the word. A destination any can enjoy on a reasonable budget and with a sense of compete security.

This is where the past literally greets the future. This is where they both mingle. Japan has a long history of absorbing advanced cultures from the Asian Continent from ancient times through the Middle Ages. Later it began to assimilating these many cultural influences, the country has successfully added rich new dimensions and depth to its indigenous culture. Thos marvelous harmony between the refinement of things and concept “Oriental” blended with the leading-edge technology and the often Ultramodern urban lifestyle you find in Japan today proof of a long and eloquent history.

Beautiful, relaxing, nostalgic, profound, fashionable, mouth-watering, exciting, succulent, historic, cultural, just name it! Japan, Japan, Japan! Which would you like to meet? Intertwined with a genuine and heart-warming hospitality, Japan awaits you. Yes! Welcome to out Japan!

Total Land Area: About 378,000 sq. km., an archipelago of over 6,800 islands

Population: 127 million

Capital: Tokyo, with a population of some 12 million.

Official Language: Japanese; English is taught in schools from the 7th grade on.

Religion: Shintoism and Buddhism are two main religions.

Climate and Weather of Japan

Autumn (September - November)
• Light breeze & cool temperature
• Chrysanthemums at parks and gardens
• 9.5°C – 17.3°C
• Clothing (light jackets, light sweaters, etc)

Winter (December - February)
• Temperature rarely drops below 0°C.
• Quite dry & very often sunny.
• Winter sports.
• Southern part, mild & pleasant in winter.
• 4.6°C – 12.3°C
• Clothing (Overcoats, sweaters, etc)Weather

Time Difference: Singapore +1

Money