About us
Rainforest Foundation Japan (RFJ) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and supporting the Amazon rainforest and its indigenous people. RFJ was founded in 1989 when Kayapo Chief Raoni and musician Sting came to Japan as part of their Rainforest World Tour to raise awareness of deforestation in the Amazon.
Destruction of the Amazon forests is closely linked to our lives in modern society. Our RFJ staff members visit the area every year for several months to live with the people and to coordinate projects that are in accordance with the current needs of the local people. In August 2008 RFJ was incorporated as a Specified Nonprofit Corporation under the Japanese NPO Law.
Message from Kenko Minami
The Amazon rainforests are disappearing at blistering speed, and the causes of this
deforestation have much to do with our daily lives in civilized society. Though they may
seem far away, destruction of the Amazon rainforests breaks the balance of Earth’s natural
environment, accelerating global warming and threatening the survival of future
generations. It is time to rein in our economy-first mindset, promote the SDGs in our own
lives, and live in accordance with the true laws of nature.
We strive to continue our projects to protect the rainforests by visiting local areas every
year, working together with the Indio people who have been living in the jungles for tens of
thousands of years. Please join us in this essential work.
About Kenko Minami
Kenko Minami is Executive Director of RFJ. After graduating from Joshibi University of Art and Design, Kenko worked on the creative staff of children’s TV programs (Hyokkori Hyoutanjima, etc.) at NHK (Japan’s only public broadcaster). She also has experience in concert production and stage design.
In 1989, she met Kayapo Chief Raoni when he was visiting Japan as part of Rainforest World Tour with musician Sting, and this inspired her to start Rainforest Foundation Japan in May of the same year. She has been visiting the Amazon rainforest every year since then, spending several weeks each time sharing the lives of the indigenous people in order to learn how to better support their needs in the rapidly changing Amazonian environment.