Background
The January 1, 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake inflicted immeasurable damage on the lives of local residents. Beyond the widespread physical destruction—from collapsed homes and buildings to severed lifelines like roads and water systems—the greatest loss was the personal plans and dreams of every citizen. On New Year's Day, many would have envisioned the year ahead, only to have their hopes and goals shattered just hours later by the seismic event.
This was a particularly devastating blow for high school seniors preparing for university entrance exams. An estimated 80% of affected students were unable to take the national university entrance exam (Common Test for University Admission) held on January 13th and 14th. We have heard that some students have given up on attending university entirely due to economic hardships. The earthquake has, in effect, stripped away a part of the lives and futures of these promising young people.
Our Mission
The Iwaki Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to fostering international friendship and education, has launched an emergency scholarship fund to provide direct support to students impacted by the Noto Peninsula earthquake.
The Noto Peninsula is one of Japan's most rapidly aging and depopulating regions. In many municipalities, over 50% of the population is aged 65 or older. If young people are forced to abandon their studies and leave the area, it could jeopardize the region's entire recovery. This earthquake has pushed an already vulnerable community to the brink. We believe the younger generation will become the "bearers of hope" and the ones who rebuild Noto's future.
Our goal is simple: to provide these students with the financial stability they need to continue their education without interruption.
Your Impact: A Direct Path to Recovery
Every donation to this fund will go directly to students in the form of a scholarship. A gift of ¥1,200,000 (approx. $8,000 USD) provides one student with a full year of support, helping to cover tuition, books, and living expenses.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, we have already provided scholarships to 20 students over the past two years—13 in 2024 and 7 in 2025. This momentum has been crucial in helping these young people get back on their feet and continue their education.
Your contribution is more than a donation. It's an investment in a student's future. It's a message that their dreams matter. It's a hand reaching across the globe to help them get back on their feet. Now, we need your help to expand this circle of support and reach even more students whose lives have been impacted by this disaster.
Together, we can ensure that the dreams of Noto’s students are not another casualty of the earthquake.
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About US
Established in March 1985, the Iwaki Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering friendly relations between Japan and other Asian nations. For decades, it has fulfilled this mission by providing vital scholarships to Asian students pursuing higher education at Japanese universities. In response to the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, the foundation recently expanded its commitment to education by launching a new scholarship program specifically for students impacted by the disaster, ensuring they can continue their studies and contribute to the region's future.
