In recent years the growth of civil society in Japan has attracted considerable attention. The invaluable contributions of Japanese volunteers in Kobe following the 1995 earthquake lead to legislation in 1998 that facilitates establishing nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations. In the ensuing years these groups have developed substantially as evident in Tohoku where volunteers have made a major difference in relief efforts.
In June, the Diet made it easier for these groups to be designated as organizations that people can donate to and receive a tax benefit for doing so. This tax reform is expected to help fundraising and boost prospects for often underfunded and understaffed organizations.
While in Kobe 1995 government officials were clueless in dealing with volunteers, it now relies on them to assist in disaster response and expects them to play a crucial role in helping people and communities recover from 3/11. Overall, in the first four months after the Tohoku earthquake, there were 499,300 registered volunteers, while 1,305,000 people volunteered in the first four months after the Kobe Earthquake.