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ABOUT B&G
The Role of the B&G Foundation: In Response to the Needs of the Times
The B&G Foundation was established to help mental and physical development of the young generation who can create Japan's prosperous future
The B&G Foundation, formally known as the Blue Sea and Green Land Foundation, was founded on March 28, 1973, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Motorboat Racing Law. It was founded by the Chairman Ryoichi Sasakawa, based on his passionate belief and philosophy: "to help develop young people who are mentally and physically healthy, polite, respectful and willing to work for other people, so that they can create a bright future".
The "B&G Plan ", the underlying principle of the B&G Foundation, is a grand design for pursuing its overarching goal of helping citizens live fit, healthy, and happy lives. It encourages our nation's young generation to experience nature and actively participate in marine sports, in order to develop physical fitness as well as healthy, rich mind. Its four main areas are: "building facilities", "development of leaders", "creation of organizations", and "providing marine recreation", which are expected to lay the foundations for the success of the plan. Initially, using funds raised through motorboat races, a great emphasis was placed on building "B&G Marine Sports Centers" in 480 cities and towns across the country. These were equipped with swimming pools, boathouses, gymnasiums, and other athletic facilities, which cost around 140 billion yen in total, and are now used by about 11 million people each year to enjoy marine sports and other activities.
Moving on to the Phase 2 of the B&G Plan: Sports, Health & Fitness, and Enhanced Human Development
In 2003, the B&G Foundation marked its 30th anniversary. In response to Japan's falling birthrate and aging population, B&G Foundation has made a major shift from "hardware" projects, centered on building B&G Marine Sports Centers, to "software" projects, developing and implementing a variety of programs so it could better respond to social changes facing the country. The new slogan of "sports, health & fitness, and human development" was advocated.
At the same time, "hands-on experience" has become a key phrase also in national governmental measures, suggested by the establishment of the Basic Act on Ocean Policy and the Comprehensive Plan for Hands-on Activities for Youth. In response to this, the B&G Foundation has launched a wide range of new programs, such as collaborative programs with schools that help them incorporate contact with nature into their curriculums, programs for parents and children that are designed to help parents and children strengthen their bonds through experiencing nature together, fitness programs that offer many different exercise activities according to the development stages of young children, and marine sports-based international exchange programs.
In addition to these initiatives, the B&G Foundation will also actively provide on-the-water safety workshops as a part of its efforts to enable people to enjoy their contact with nature more safely and prevent accidents on water.
Following the recent reform of the Public Interest Corporation System in Japan, B&G Foundation has officially been certified as a Public Interested Foundation as of April 1st, 2012. B&G Foundation will further enhance the "B&G Plan" by working in close cooperation with B&G Marine Sports Centers, Marine Clubs and B&G leaders across the country.
Profile
| Name | Blue Sea and Green Land Foundation (B&G) |
|---|---|
| Address | 9th Floor, Toranomon 35 Mori Bldg., 3-4-10 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8480, Japan |
| Phone | 81-3-6402-5310 |
| Fax | 81-3-6402-5315 |
| infobgf@bgf.or.jp | |
| Founded | March 28, 1973 |
| Endowment | 6.56 billion Japanese yen |
| Annual Budget | 1.298 billion Japanese yen |
| Chairman | Isao kajita |
| Exective Director | Satoshi Sugawara |
| Managing Director |
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