What is the Young Men's Christian Association in Japan?

The YMCA is a Christian organization.
At its center are Christian laypeople who fulfill part of their obligation to Christian service in the local community and throughout the world through the YMCA. The YMCA, however, is aligned with no one Christian confession or denomination. Its members are drawn from all faiths and walks of life.

The YMCA is a voluntary organization.
Each YMCA is managed through the cooperation of volunteers and professional staff, and volunteer leaders are central to the success of its programs.

When the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake hit in 1995, record numbers of people joined the YMCA's volunteer activities for emergency relief and reconstruction for six months. The earthquake energized volunteerism in Japan, and the YMCA has gained a reputation as an organization that can raise and coordinate volunteers.

The YMCA is a legally recognized (nonprofit) foundation.
YMCAs in Japan are managed as nonprofit corporations, and almost all are legally recognized foundations, particularly in the areas of social welfare or education.

The YMCA is not only for youth, but for all generations.
Alongside of Volunteerism, Wellness, and Internationalism, Lifelong Learning is one of the four key areas of YMCA programs and services. Education and fitness programs are available to members and non-members alike, of all generations and genders, in a commitment to the development of people throughout their lives.

At its center, however, is the YMCA's commitment to the upcoming generation. As symbolized by the Y's red triangle, the YMCA's purpose is to help develop balanced spirits, minds, and bodies in young people.

The YMCA is an international organization.
YMCAs may be best known at the community level, where they are local branches associated together under City YMCAs (the main branch usually being located in the largest city in the prefecture), which are also called Local Associations. These associations are united nationally under the National Council of YMCAs of Japan. In turn, the Japan YMCA is grouped regionally, as through the Asia Alliance of YMCAs, and internationally, through the World Alliance of YMCAs. Through membership in a variety of groups and alliances, as well as through direct relationships, each local YMCA is connected to a web of other YMCAs and organizations throughout the world.

For more about what the YMCA stands,
see "The Japan YMCA Statement of Basic Principles"