Girl Scouts of Japan


The Girl Scouts of Japan is the girls-only Scouting organization serving Japan, founded in 1919. It became a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 1952 and had 33,593 members as of 2014.

History

Girl Guiding was first introduced in Japan in 1919 by Miss Muriel Greenstreet, a British missionary teacher. The movement gradually spread, and in 1920 took the name Joshi-Hodo-dan. In 1928, Japan became a founder member of WAGGGS. Girl Guiding was banned by the government during World War II, restarted as Girl Scouting in 1947, and was officially recognized as Girl Scouts of Japan in 1949.
In 2000, Her Highness Princess Sayako attended a variety of events in the Tokyo metropolitan area and in regional Japan, including the ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Girl Scouts of Tokyo, and the opening ceremony for the Togakushi Girl Scouts Center to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Girl Scouting movement in Japan.
The Girl Scout program in Japan focuses on three major points: self-development, human relations, and nature. Some of the Girl Scout activities include working with the disabled, planting trees, and protecting the environment from floods and air pollution.

Program and ideals

The Girl Scouts are divided into 6 groups/ranks. Troops, around 5 years old; a creme yellow neckerchief.
Brownies focus on learning more about themselves, their capabilities, and how much they matter. When a girl becomes a Brownie Scout, Leaders read the "Brownie Book" to the girls, sometimes even performing the story. It tells of two children who hear about magical creatures that help keep the house nice and clean. In order to help their parents the two children venture into the forest at night in search of the Brownies, only to discover at the end that they are Brownies and they can help their parents.
Juniors begin to focus on their friend group and other scouts. The idea is to encourage girls to not think just about themselves, but of what they can do for and with their friends.
The Girl Scout emblem incorporates a sakura, a cherry blossom. May 22 is Girl Scout Day.

Promise

Law

  1. I am cheerful and courageous at all times.
  2. I respect all living things.
  3. I am a friend to all, and a sister to every Girl Scout.
  4. I am courteous.
  5. I use time and resources wisely.
  6. I think and act on my own.
  7. I am responsible for what I say and do.
  8. I try to be sincere.