Japan Child and Family Research Institute (JCFRI)

The Japan Child and Family Research Institute (JCFRI) start anew in April of 1997, under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The Institute had been known as the "Nippon Aiiku Research Institute of Maternal-Child Health and welfare" since 1964.
The dramatic reduction in the Japanese birth rate in recent decades is resulting in contemporary and future changes in family functioning, childrearing, and social-economical issues. JCFRI is involved in the study of problems and policy impacting children and families, primarily in the areas of maternal-child health, and child & family welfare.
The departments of JCFIR include Research Center, Information section, Child & Family Counselling and Guidance Clinic.

Activities at the JCFRI

* Research Center
Conducting a research on child & family health and welfare policies and problems.

* Information Section
Publishes the JCFRI Bulletin and other journals.
Managing child & family Date-bank and Homepage.
Library.

* Aiiku Child & Family Counselling and Guidance Clinic

* Other Activities
Child & Family Service Network for researchers, educators, child welfare workers, and administrators.

History

The Imperial Gift Foundation "Bosi-Aiiku-kai", the Aiiku Association for Maternal/Child Health & Welfare, was established in March of 1934. It was funded by a donation by the emperor of Japan in celebration of the birth of the Crown Prince(the current Emperor) on December 23, 1933. For over six decades, the Association has engaged in a wide range of activities aimed at promoting education, health and care of children and mothers. The Nippon Aiiku Research Institute for Maternal-Child Health and Welfare has been one of the Association's main divisions.
Since 1964 the Institute has received government funding and has chosen research themes in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The two main themes of research have been maternal-child health and child & family welfare.
Now that the Institute has been rebuilt with the support of Ministry of Health and Welfare, it has changed its name to the Japan Child and Family Research Institute(JCFRI). This name change is indicative of JCFRI's renewed and enriched mission.