#Japan #Fukuoka #Borderless Japan #Social Issues #Borderless Foundation

Borderless Foundation: Pioneering Social Change

In a groundbreaking move, Borderless Japan, an established leader in social entrepreneurship, has launched the "Borderless Foundation," a non-profit organization aimed at tackling pressing social issues through innovative strategies and collaborative efforts. Founded by CEO Kazunari Taguchi in Fukuoka, Japan, Borderless Japan has been active since 2007, operating social businesses in 13 countries and managing over 50 impactful initiatives aimed at addressing a variety of social challenges.

Vision and Mission

The core mission of the Borderless Foundation is to transform the desire to enact social change into actionable frameworks that tackle systemic issues head-on. By engaging with the underlying structures of society such as culture, values, and institutions, the foundation aims to create profound and lasting change in concert with businesses and communities. The foundation positions itself as an "operating foundation," which means it will not only devise projects but also implement them directly in collaboration with relevant sectors.

History and Rationale for Establishment

Since its inception, Borderless Japan has sought to leverage business solutions to address societal challenges. However, as the organization has matured, it recognized that some social issues cannot be entirely resolved through business approaches alone. With the increasing trend of companies engaging in social responsibility, it became clear that there remains a pressing need for action in the non-profit sector to address issues like education inequality and poverty, which are often deeply intertwined with cultural and institutional frameworks.

The Team Behind Borderless Foundation

With Taguchi at the helm, the foundation’s leadership believes that understanding the causes of social challenges and forming partnerships across sectors is crucial for effecting true change. They aim to harness their business acumen and operational experience to create a robust framework for tackling societal issues. The foundation is determined to design initiatives that go beyond the typical boundaries of corporate social responsibility, focusing on collaborative and visible impact.

Foundational Overview

• - Organization Name: NPO Borderless Foundation
• - Establishment Date: December 24, 2024
• - Location: Fukuoka, Chuo Ward, Tenjin 3-1-1, Tenjin Futatabi Building 4F
• - Leadership: Kazunari Taguchi
• - Website: Borderless Foundation

Message from the Representative

Kazunari Taguchi expressed that while the Borderless Group has made strides through social business, there are areas and challenges that require more direct engagement. He advocates for a model where they do not delegate change but instead actively participate in confronting the root causes of social problems. This new non-profit structure marks an exciting new chapter where they envision themselves as catalysts for change, utilizing speed and execution capabilities honed in the business world to foster societal improvements.

Upcoming Projects

The Borderless Foundation has outlined several key initiatives for its inaugural year:
1. Connecting Atomic Bomb Experiences to Future Generations: In 2025, they will host the "How to Create Peace" exhibition in Hibiya, Tokyo, emphasizing the importance of peace and how individuals can contribute to it.
2. Raising Awareness on Nuclear Armament Issues: This initiative will involve planning exhibitions to design frameworks that enable collaborative actions on nuclear weapons awareness.
3. Maximizing Corporate Social Contribution Impact: The foundation plans to move beyond traditional methods of charity and volunteerism to create models of social contribution that connect individuals, organizations, and broader communities.

These projects aim to tackle the structural aspects of social issues by engaging deeply with the surrounding cultural and institutional contexts. Utilizing a vast network and expertise built over years of experience, the foundation is committed to developing effective models that will drive significant change.

Future Aspirations

The vision for the Borderless Foundation is clear: to become a bridge connecting goodwill and action. They recognize that many individuals and organizations wish to contribute positively to society but often lack the mechanisms to transform this goodwill into tangible results. By focusing on both profit-driven and non-profit initiatives, they aim to create a holistic approach to social change.

Conclusion

The Borderless Foundation stands at the forefront of a new wave of non-profit engagement in Japan, employing strategies traditionally associated with successful businesses to address pressing social challenges. The organization invites everyone passionate about societal improvement to join in their mission, emphasizing that together, they can create the necessary structures for lasting change.