Publications
The Foundation for the Welfare and Education of the Asian People (FWEAP) annually publishes two public relations magazines, 、"Ai" (Ai means Affection in Japanese) and the Supplementary volume of "Ai," as well as occasional booklets covering the FWEAP's activities.
"Ai" and the Supplementary volume of "Ai"
We first published a magazine titled "Ai" in October 1976, and since then a total of 44 issues have been published as of February 2021. The first issue of "Ai" was presented in an A5 black-and-white format with a total of 28 pages, which is quite different from the most recent issue Vol. 44 in A4 color format with a total of 68 pages. Still, our purpose behind publishing remains the same: to report on the FWEAP's annual activities and to obtain widespread public understanding.
The Supplementary volume of "Ai" is relatively new; its first publication was in February 2016. The Supplementary volume of "Ai" is a report prepared with a more flexible editorial policy compared to "Ai,” and it covers a wide range of topics, such as interviews with distinguished individuals, articles contributed by diplomats on Asian countries, and commentary on refugee issues in “Manga” format.
Actually, it is unclear why the FWEAP's public relations magazine was named "Ai," but the first issue contains these words: "Extending warm hands of compassion for the orphans in Vietnam and other Asian countries in line with the FWEAP's original intentions." Also, in the eulogy delivered at the funeral of Mr. Takechiyo Matsuda, the first President of the FWEAP, on December 19, 1980, the second President, Mr. Seisuke Okuno said, "The power of your actions full of love and justice for humankind..." This represents the FWEAP's original philanthropic spirit of "reaching out to disadvantaged people, such as orphans, mothers and children, and refugees in Asian countries." The title from the first to the eighth issue was "Extend Your Hands of Affection," which was changed to "Ai" later.
Also, the FWEAP’s logo is designed to have the kanji character "Ai" in a circle representing the earth, universe, and harmony. The kanji "Ai" slightly extends over the edge of the circle to express our wish to "fill the world with love!"
"Ai" and the Supplementary volume of "Ai" have been issued by grants from Japan Lottery Association since 1995 and 2016, respectively, as social contribution PR projects, and they are widely distributed to government offices, research institutions, libraries in Japan, and refugee support organizations, among others.
50-year History of the Foundation for the Welfare and Education of the Asian People and its Future
(the FWEAP's 50th and the RHQ's 40th anniversary)
This book was published in December 2019 to commemorate the FWEAP's 50th anniversary and the RHQ's 40th anniversary as indicated in the book's title. This book covers 50 years of the FWEAP's activities, since the time it operated under the name of the "Foundation for the Welfare and Education of the Vietnamese Orphans" 50 years ago, and the movements that led to the establishment of the Refugee Assistance Headquarters (RHQ) in 1979, 10 years after the FWEAP's establishment, to promote the settlement of Indo-Chinese refugees in Japan as a consignment project from the Government of Japan, as well as details of the subsequent progress in its activities featuring photographs and charts.
50-year History of the Foundation for the Welfare and Education of the Asian People and its Future
(the FWEAP's 50th and the RHQ's 40th anniversary)
Other booklets
In addition to the above, the FWEAP has published many booklets. The following are the major recent publications. If you wish to obtain these booklets, including the latest issue of "Ai" and the Supplementary volume of "Ai," please contact the FWEAP secretariat.
- ・ Discussion Meeting with Refugee Settlers (The 41st “Tsudoi” Festival for Refugees in Japan), November 2020
- ・ REFUGEE ASSISTANCE HEADQUARTERS (RHQ), September 2020
- ・ Learning by comics: "Refugees and Japan 1," February 2013
- ・ Learning by comics: "Refugees and Japan 2," February 2014
- ・ Learning by comics: "Refugees and Japan 3," February 2015
- ・ Illustrated Japanese: Introductory Textbook
- (English, French, Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodian, Burmese, and Chinese versions), October 2009
