SOME PRACTICAL ISSUES OF FORMATION OF LEGAL STATUS OF CIVIL SOCIETY INSTITUTIONS IN CONTEMPORARY JAPAN

Abstract

The non-governmental organizations in Japan refer to such non-profit organizations that are involved in the implementation of assistance programmes abroad, for example, development or liquidation of the consequences of natural disasters. They are voluntary, non-profit, self-governing, apolitical (i.e. their main goal is not to support candidates in elections), not leading any preaching organizations dealing with international issues. From the point of view of classical political science, they should be called international non-governmental organizations. But in Japan, this title is almost never found. Most Japanese non-governmental organizations are non-corporate associations and do not have any legal status and state registration. The complex legal status of Japanese non-governmental organizations demonstrates the considerable diversity of non-governmental organizations, as well as the extent of control exercised by the state over various forms of civil activity.