#Japan #Tokyo #Child Abuse Prevention #ORANGE WALK #Home Start Japan

ORANGE WALK 2025: A National Push for Child Abuse Prevention

In a collective effort to combat child abuse, 21 organizations have come together for ORANGE WALK 2025, an initiative led by the recognized non-profit, Home Start Japan. This event will run from November 1st to November 30th, during the designated Child Abuse Prevention Month. Participants will engage in a charitable walk, contributing to various child support organizations based on their step count.

The concept of #ZeroChildAbuse guides ORANGE WALK, turning everyday walking routines into meaningful support for vulnerable children. Launched in 2022, the event has witnessed a tremendous rise in participation with over 87,000 individuals joining in previously. Last year alone, 16 organizations rallied together, and more than 40,000 participants set new records, solidifying ORANGE WALK as one of Japan’s largest child welfare events.

For its fourth year, the initiative aims for a remarkable turnout, aspiring to attract 50,000 participants from across the nation, with 21 organizations collaborating this year to extend their reach further. The movement focuses on preventing child abuse before it occurs, championed by Home Start’s unique support method.

The Home Start Approach

Originating from the UK, Home Start is a home-visiting parenting support initiative aimed at fostering community connection and preventing isolation among parents and children. Trained volunteers with parenting experience visit families with young children or expectant mothers, providing about two hours of support a week over several visits (around 4-6 times). This approach allows parents to share their concerns and receive assistance with household chores and child-rearing tasks, all free of charge. Such preventive measures address minor stressors before they escalate into more significant issues like abuse.

Since its establishment in 2009, Home Start Japan has worked tirelessly to make this supportive framework accessible across the country, now impacting over 120 locations in 33 prefectures as of October 2025.

The ORANGE Campaign

In tandem with ORANGE WALK, Home Start Japan will launch the Orange Campaign, aimed at broadening awareness of their parenting support services across the nation. Participants can join by engaging in various activities that include:

• - A charity walk open to all across Japan
• - Sharing photos and supportive messages on social media platforms, including YouTube
• - Recruiting 50 monthly supporters to ensure continued operational funding. More details on the campaign can be found here.

The Significance of Orange

The color orange symbolizes child abuse prevention, and running the ORANGE WALK from November 1st to 30th serves as a pressing reminder to the community about the ongoing issues surrounding child maltreatment and its long-term effects on children.

The event will be hosted using a smartphone-friendly format, allowing individuals to easily participate in walking for a cause. It captures both the convenience and the critical social mission intertwined within this movement.

Kenichiro Iwasaka, the representative of the initiative, stated, "Child abuse robs precious lives and futures. By collaborating with organizations that share our goals, we can deliver a powerful message to society on this matter." This emphasis on accessibility and social significance lays the groundwork for a new model of awareness.

Getting Involved

The ORANGE WALK 2025 is set to kick off with a user-friendly platform for participation, inclusive of 21 supporting organizations across the nation.

• - Walking Period: November 1 (Sat) 0:00 - November 30 (Sun) 24:00
• - Registration Period: October 17 (Fri) 10:00 - November 30 (Sun) 24:00
• - Participation Method: Join via the smartphone app minpo or Green Ponta Action. For more detailed registration steps, participants can navigate to the official site of ORANGE WALK here.

Collaborative Campaigns with Yogibo

During ORANGE WALK, a special campaign is being launched in partnership with Yogibo, the official sponsor, fostering further engagement.

• - Challenge: Walk 100,000 steps to win 5,000 yen worth of Yogibo gift cards, selected via lottery from those who reach this goal.
• - Special Merch: Participants fulfilling two conditions—following ORANGE WALK’s official X account and reposting specified content with hashtags like #ORANGEWALK and #ZeroChildAbuse—will have a chance to win exclusive ORANGE WALK Yogibo merchandise.

Keep an eye on the official X account for more campaigns and detailed updates as the event progresses.

Participating Organizations

The cause is supported by various organizations, including:

• - Asu e no Chikara (Osaka)
• - M-STEP (Chiba)
• - Kamonohashi Project (Tokyo)
• - and many more across the country.

For a full list and more information, visit NPO Japan Children Support Association.

By joining ORANGE WALK 2025, you contribute to a vital cause while promoting community health and awareness about one of society's pressing issues. Let’s walk together for a brighter future for our children!