Social Activities - Our Main Social Programs

Wings of Love (Fureai no Tsubasa)

Through JAL Group’s Wings of Love program, students from children’s homes across Japan are invited for a three-day trip to Tokyo. The program originally started in 1988, and to date about 1,900 children have participated. For the program’s 20th anniversary this spring, 29 elementary school pupils from six regions in Japan came to Tokyo. Originally devised by our employees, Wings of Love is funded by staff contributions and run by volunteers from our staff. The JAL Group manages the overall project, offers support and provides free air tickets.

JAL Global Citizens Month

Following the participation of the JAL Group in the UN Global Compact at the end of 2004, the company has declared June of each year, JAL Global Citizens Month. Staff are encouraged to look at social and environmental issues affecting their local communities or the world, and asked to think of ways in which they can provide some form of help.

In 2007, the JAL Group conducted a "Volunteer J Field Trip" to Saga to the tidal flats of the Ariake Sea. Ten members of staff who volunteered for the trip increased their knowledge of the local environment by viewing the tidal flats close up, and talking to local conservationists.

JAL Origami Hikoki Activity

A fun children’s course called the JAL Origami Hikoki was launched in 2007. JAL Group volunteers from airport and city offices throughout Japan visit local kindergartens, and schools and attend special events to teach youngsters how to make paper airplanes (hikoki) using origami. The children have great fun learning and practicing the Japanese art of paper-folding, making different types of paper airplanes, and seeing how well they fly. The course is conducted by 175 employees who have received special training from the Origami Airplane Association (OAA).

Pink Ribbon Campaign

Since 2004, JAL has supported the Pink Ribbon campaign, which serves to highlight the importance of early detection and treatment of breast cancer. On two of our domestic routes, we initiated Pink Scarf Flights, on which Pink Ribbon badges and cards are distributed to passengers. A total of 2,000 Pink Ribbon neck straps were also sold to staff in 2007 and part of the proceeds donated to Breast Cancer Patient’s Network Japan.

“Sending Books to Children” Campaign

The Send Picture Books to Laos and Cambodia campaign began in 2003 and was conducted four times in fiscal 2004, collecting 114 picture books. In 2005, the campaign was held 10 times in seven locations throughout Japan, resulting in 477 donated books. The campaign was conducted by the Shanti Volunteer Association.Pasting translated text into the books gives participants the experience of engaging in an activity promoting international cooperation. JAL employees were able to appreciate something about living conditions for children in Laos and Cambodia and learn the true meaning of volunteer activities. Participants paid part of the participation costs to the Shanti Volunteer Association, the balance being covered by the Volunteer J Fund.

Knowing More About Fair Trade

To help developing nations achieve sustainable growth, we participate in fair trade activities held jointly by local producers and NGOs. In March 2007 we held a “Knowing More About Fair Trade” event at the JAL Headquarters Building supported by five international NGOs. Several hundred JAL Group employees attended, purchasing folk crafts and food, and learning about the significance of fair trade and fair trade activities.

JAL Sky School in Hong Kong

The 24th JAL Sky School was held by JAL’s Hong Kong office on 4th November 2007. Over 240 children, including under-privileged from local charitable organizations, took an one-hour sightseeing flight over Hong Kong territory. The program is co-organized by TVB - the Hong Kong TV station - which features the event on its children's programme “After School” as well as Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong SAR Government. It is also sponsored by Chevron Corporation-Global Aviation., Worldwide Fueling Service Refueling (HK) Ltd., LSG Lufthansa Service Hong Kong Ltd., Hong Kong Airport Services Ltd., and China Aircraft Services Ltd.

JAL Group Young Green Squad

Every year, young employees from the JAL Group engage in a variety of volunteer activities, learning how to plan and participate as volunteers in the process. In fiscal 2006, 50 employees representing 42 group companies participated in the following activities:

Cooperation with UNICEF

Provision of transport assistance for UNICEF-related seminars Collection of UNICEF 'Change for Good' donations on all JAL international flights. Transportation of coins collected by JAL on behalf of the UNICEF 'Change for Good' campaign Assistance with collection of street donations for UNICEF's 'Hand-in-Hand with Children' campaign Dissemination of information on UNICEF activities to passengers. Painting of the UNICEF symbol on our aircraft. Sale of UNICEF postcards onboard.

Supporting the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

Running advertisements in the JAL inflight magazine
Collecting in-house donations
Hosting seminars for board members
Educating our Narita staff about endangered flora and fauna

KIDS Project

JAL offsets the participation costs of employees who volunteer to take part in the KIDS Project (hosted by KIDS, an NPO) and donates prizes. In this project, volunteers spend time at Tokyo Disneyland with mentally and physically disabled children.

Environmental Donations and Assistance

We donate every year to the following environmental organizations.- Wild Bird Society of Japan
- Japan National Trust
- Japan Society of Aerospace and Environmental Medicine
Every year, we co-sponsor the Grand Prize for the Global Environment Award with The Nihon Kogyo Shimbun, Ltd. (published by the Fujisankei Communications Group)

Local-Community Activities

‘Santa Claus on the Airplane’ is a special program supported by cabin crew and maintenance personnel who don Santa outfits and bring gifts to children and elderly people in the Narita area.
At Osaka Airport, members of Love-Wing, a group of volunteers from the JAL Group, visit children’s homes and hold charity bazaars.
Charity concerts by employee volunteer group Ensemble J

Marunouchi Citizens’ Environmental Forum

The JAL Group, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance and Mitsubishi Corporation cosponsor this ecological forum.

Maintenance-Facility Tours and Aviation Classes

The JAL Group organizes tours of its maintenance facility at Haneda Airport and holds aviation classes throughout Japan.

Cooperation with International Aid Organizations

Maintenance-Facility Tours and Aviation Classes The JAL Group organizes tours of its maintenance facility at Haneda Airport and holds aviation classes throughout Japan. Cooperation with International Aid Organizations
The JAL Group provided air tickets for Chinese who raised Japanese war orphans left behind in China so they could visit those children who later returned to Japan
Transport for the Lee Su Hyon scholarship fund
Providing air tickets to NGO staff attending training courses connected with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Use of the JAL Building for the Japan Association for Refugees for advanced training courses and providing air tickets for overseas seminars
Help with the World Food Programme essay contest
Hosting in-house volunteer programs for Caring for Young Refugees, an NPO
Amnesty International Japan conducted a lecture for Narita Airport staff, "Coexisting in a Multicultural Environment"; JAL assisted with transport for speakers at domestic seminars
Children Without Borders: JAL provides air tickets for staff engaged in constructing schools in Cambodia
Fair-Trade Learning Activities for Employees
Spoiled-Postcard Collection campaign: the JAL Group contributed unusable postcards with prepaid stamps to Shapla Neer (Citizens' Committee in Japan for Overseas Support)
Citizens towards Overseas Disaster Emergency (CODE) conducted a lecture for Osaka Airport staff on reconstruction support for victims of the October 2005 Pakistan earthquake
The JAL Group exempts wheelchairs from excess-baggage fees

Volunteer Activities by JAL Group Staff

The JAL Group maintains a volunteer organization for staff called Volunteer J. The Volunteer J Tsushin (mail magazine) goes out to 1,000 group employees. Funds from donations and proceeds from charity bazaars and charity concerts are forwarded to the Volunteer J Fund and used to support staff volunteer activities and cover participation costs.

The Volunteer J Emergency Support Fund makes donations to humanitarian groups and purchases aid material to be sent to disaster areas. The JAL Group supports the activities of Volunteer J and makes air tickets and company facilities available to staff participating in social activities planned by the organization.