--AFWJ FAQs--

What kind of activities do you organize?

Everything from playgroups for children to workshops, book discussions or coffee mornings, luncheons, ladies nights-out or family events are held on a local level. Each area has different activities, depending on what members in that area organize. On a national level, a convention is held every year in a different part of Japan.

How much does membership cost?

Membership costs ¥7,000 per year. New members who join after July 1st can take advantage of our half-year membership offer, and there is a special, lower fee for new members who join after September 1st.

What kind of special interest groups are there in AFWJ?

There are several on-line groups in which members may participate. These include a group for general discussion, diet/healthy lifestyles, infertility support, new moms, DINKS, parents of children with special needs, and political issues among many others. There are also SIGS for people speaking languages other than English. (German and French so far- we hope that more lanaguages SIGS will be created in the future.

Do you know about other groups for foreign women in Japan?

Please refer to the Links page for a list of several groups that may be of interest.

How many members are in each area?

Naturally, the wider Kanto area has the highest number of AFWJ members, followed by the Kansai area (Osaka/Kobe/Kyoto). However, AFWJ members live in all corners of Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, as well as overseas. Many of our members live in remote countryside areas and communicate with other AFWJ members through the AFWJ Journal or through AFWJ e-mail lists. For members out in the countryside, AFWJ provides a network of communication and support through which members can keep in touch with each other even if they are not able to meet up, or to participate in events.

How many different nationalities are represented?

At present, AFWJ has members of 45 different nationalities. Foreign wives of Japanese of any nationality are welcome. While the language of communication in AFWJ and in the AFWJ Journal is English, AFWJ members from non-English speaking countries often find each other and enjoy communicating in their own language.

Does AFWJ have members who speak Chinese, Tagalog or other languages?

Although few in number, we have members who speak Chinese, Tagalog, Malay, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, German and other languages. If you are a foreign wife of a Japanese and would like to hear about AFWJ in your own language (or if you know of a woman in this situation), please contact the and ask her to put you into contact with one of our members who speaks the language, and who can introduce you (or your friend) to the group. We can't promise that someone is available at all times, but please try!

Are there playgroups for English speaking kids?

Yes, several local districts and chapters hold playgroups. Contact your district representative or chapter leader for more information.

Are there any groups for men married to Japanese women?

The group, United for a Multicultural Japan (UMJ), may be of interest. It can be found in the Links section.

Where can I get legal advice?

TELL Life Line can provide information on where to get legal or medical advice for those within or outside of the Tokyo Area: 03-5774-0992

AMDA International Medical Information provides introduction to doctors/clinics through volunteers who speak several languages. Tokyo: 03-5285-8088 Osaka: 06-636-2333

UMJ (United for a Multicultural Japan) provides a collection of articles on legal issues in Japan on its website.

The Human Rights Counseling Center for Foreigners has branches in several cities in Japan. See website for a list of locations.

The Center for Multicultural Information and Assistance (CMIA), founded after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and based in Kansai, assists foreigners with legal, medical and other information in several languages.