Labo would like to share and celebrate with you a recent accomplishment of great meaning and importance to us. The Labo International Exchange Foundation has been a non-profit organization sanctioned by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1973. In 2008, the Japanese Government enacted the “Act on Authorization of Public Interest Incorporated Associations and Public Interest Incorporated Foundations” as a part of their structural reforms for Japanese nonprofit organizations. As a result, within 5 years any Japanese organization that was previously considered to be an “Incorporation” or a “Foundation” are now required to be defined as either a “Public Interest Incorporated Foundation” or a “General Incorporated Foundation” by the Japanese Government. Any organization that fails to meet this new requirement must be disbanded. In light of these structural changes, the Labo International Exchange Foundation applied for the new status of “Public Interest Incorporated Foundation” (known in Japanese as 公益財団法人, pronounced “kōeki zaidan hōjin”), which is the more prestigious and difficult to obtain option, and submitted the necessary documents to the Cabinet Office of the Public Interest Incorporated Committee. On 13 January 2012, the Public Interest Incorporated Committee announced that the Labo International Exchange Foundation had been accorded “Public Interest Corporation Authorization”. Consequently, the Labo International Exchange Foundation will officially be recognized as a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation from the date of 1 April 2012. The Public Interest Incorporated Foundation status that will be issued by the Japanese Government means that the Labo International Exchange Foundation’s Youth Exchange has been officially recognized as a long-standing program of high quality which continues to greatly contribute to the public. The Labo International Exchange Foundation will continue to advocate on behalf of youth development and international exchange for the benefit of the public and the realization of a vibrant society.

 

What is LABO?

Labo is a family-based Japanese youth organization

Children in Japan between the ages of 3 and 18 join Labo in order to improve their English-language ability as well as to learn about other cultures and expand their personal horizons.

Using international bilingual songs, stories and plays from around the world, members learn about the world and about working with one another. At weekly Labo Party meetings, children of all ages work together to bring these stories and plays to life. At seasonal camps, Labo members also enjoy practicing and performing their plays in addition to hiking, games,and other outdoor activities.

Labo is volunteer-driven. Thousands of Labo Tutors, trained by local Labo offices,recruit young people from their neighborhood to join their Labo Party club. Tutors often remain an important part of their members’ lives into adulthood.

Labo International Exchange Foundation

A non-profit part of Labo, has been organizing homestay and academic exchange programs since 1972 (see our history), primarily for young people between the ages of 12 and 18, but also for young adults.

The exchange of students between Japan, North America, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and China, provide children and their families opportunities to experience a new culture, learn a new language and become international citizens. Labo families welcome a foreign child into their family in order to make friends, learn about a new culture, introduce their own customs and practice a new language.

During the summer, Labo staff, Canadian and US university Interns, and bilingual Labo Tutors are available to assist both the families and the exchangee with problems, question or concerns. (current list of Labo board of directors)
Labo International Exchange Foundation sponsors several language programs in Japan for both international visitors and Japanese students.

Labo's Exchange Programs

IN Japan

Nihongo and Homestay

Children age 12-18 come to Japan for 1 or two months during the summer to study the language or just live with a Japanese family and learn about the culture.

Intern

Programs for young adults involve living in Japan for one year, studying the language, working and/or living with a Japanese Labo family.

IN North America, Australia and New Zealand

Homestay

Japanese children age 12-18 come to the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia for a month during their summer. They live with a host family who has a child the same age and sex.

Year-long High School

High school age children from Japan come to the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia to live with a host family and attend high school for one year.

Language Programs

Labo International Exchange Foundation sponsors several language programs in Japan for both international visitors and Japanese students.

 

 

Expanding Boundaries: Hosting a Japanese student Western families and Japanese youth have first hand experience in learning about each others culture, making new friends through the LABO Exchange program.	Discover Japan: Travel to Japan LABO offers youth an opportunity to experience Japan from the INSIDE, not as a tourist. The youth will experience daily life in Japan by living with a Japanese family.
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