Japan Down Syndrome Society

What Japan Down Syndrome Society does

Japan Down Syndrome Society (公益財団法人 日本ダウン症協会, JDS) is a Tokyo-based public interest incorporated foundation that supports people with Down syndrome and their families in Japan through consultation, information dissemination, research, public awareness, and rights advocacy. The organization operates as a membership body of approximately 5,200 members nationwide, including about 500 supporting members, served through a national network of branches and quasi-branches. Its origins trace to the parent-led "Koyagi no Kai" support group, which was later rebranded to its present form and incorporated as a Public Interest Foundation; JDS became a full member of Down Syndrome International in 2011 and held the first Japan Down Syndrome Congress in 2017.

JDS's service portfolio is information- and community-led rather than technology-based. Core offerings include the quarterly JDS News newsletter (distributed to roughly 5,800 recipients), the Down Syndrome Mini Book Series, phone consultation, a book and DVD lending library, the (+Happy しあわせのたね) child-rearing handbook, support seminars for professionals, the Japan Down Syndrome Conference, and World Down Syndrome Day events each March 21. The organization also conducts life-conditions research surveys and provides information and counseling on prenatal testing without recommending specific choices. Distribution runs through the official website (jdss.or.jp), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, email, branch events, and major conferences.

JDS's revenue model rests on three streams: annual membership fees capped at 5,000 yen per member, donations and corporate sponsorships (named sponsors include Taiyo Seimei, ASICS, Zenkyoren, Ogura Megane, and doTERRA), and one-time sales of publications such as JDS News back issues at 300 yen each. No revenue figure is publicly disclosed. Governance is provided by Representative Director Tamai Hiroshi (玉井浩), a pediatric professor appointed January 2022, and Managing Director Hiroko Seino (清野弘子). The organization does not pursue venture or private equity funding and is not part of a larger corporate group.

Name

Japan Down Syndrome Society

Legal name

公益財団法人 日本ダウン症協会

Website

https://jdss.or.jp

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Japan Down Syndrome Society (JDS) is a Tokyo-based public interest incorporated foundation supporting people with Down syndrome and their families in Japan through consultation, information, research, advocacy, and community events, operating as a national membership organization with approximately 5,200 members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Advocacy and Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

Keywords

• Down syndrome support
• Disability advocacy services
• Family consultation services
• Nonprofit disability education
• Disability awareness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo (Toshima-ku, Minami-Otsuka)

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Primary revenue from annual membership fees from approximately 5,200 members nationwide
2. Donations and Sponsorships: Donations from individuals and corporate sponsors including Taiyo Seimei, ASICS, Zenkyoren, Ogura Megane, doTERRA, and others
3. Publication Sales: Sale of JDS News back issues (300 yen per copy including shipping) and various publications and books

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

JDS provides consultation, information, advocacy, research, and support services for people with Down syndrome and their families in Japan. Its core deliverables include the quarterly JDS News newsletter, the Down Syndrome Mini Book publication series, phone consultations, lending library of books and DVDs, support seminars for professionals, the Japan Down Syndrome Conference, World Down Syndrome Day events, and life conditions research surveys. The organization also publishes a (+Happy) childcare handbook and provides information and counseling related to prenatal testing.

Product overview

The Japan Down Syndrome Society (JDS) operates as a non-profit public interest corporation offering a portfolio of informational, educational, and support services rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include: the JDS News monthly newsletter (now published quarterly in color format), the Down Syndrome Mini Book Series covering health, childcare, and education topics, the Kagayaku Mirai donation fund for welfare initiatives, phone consultation and book/DVD lending services, life conditions research surveys, Down Syndrome Support Seminars for professionals, the Japan Down Syndrome Conference as a major advocacy event, World Down Syndrome Day activities, and educational documentary videos about living with Down syndrome. JDS also provides prenatal testing information and the (+Happy) childcare handbook. These services are primarily informational and support-focused rather than technology-based products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• JDS News (JDSニュース) JDS's official newsletter publication containing organizational news, articles on Down syndrome, conference and event information, and member updates. Distributed to members and circulated at approximately 5,800 copies per issue.
• Down Syndrome Mini Book Series (ダウン症miniブックシリーズ) A series of small-format guidebooks providing practical information on Down syndrome for families and supporters, covering health management, understanding the condition, childcare, and education topics.
• Kagayaku Mirai Fund (輝くみらい基金) A dedicated donation program supporting JDS's welfare initiatives for people with Down syndrome, accepting general, designated, and special donations from individuals and corporate supporters.
• Phone Consultation (電話相談) Telephone-based counseling and consultation service for families and individuals affected by Down syndrome, providing advice and informational support.
• Book/DVD Lending Service (図書・DVD 貸出) Lending library service offering books and DVDs about Down syndrome to members and the general public to support information access.
• Life Conditions Survey (生活実態調査) Joint research study with the Japan Down Syndrome Society Association on the living conditions of people with Down syndrome and the subjective well-being of their families.
• Down Syndrome Support Seminars (ダウン症支援セミナー) Educational seminars for supporters and professionals working with people with Down syndrome, ranging from basic knowledge to advanced support techniques, including topics such as aging, health management, and adult support.
• Japan Down Syndrome Conference (日本ダウン症会議) A major national conference bringing together people with Down syndrome, families, professionals, and other stakeholders to exchange views and advance understanding toward an inclusive society.
• World Down Syndrome Day Events (世界ダウン症の日イベント) Annual awareness events and activities held around March 21st (World Down Syndrome Day), including kickoff events in cities such as Okayama and global music video releases promoting the theme 'You Are Not Alone' / 'ひとりじゃないよ。'
• Living with Down Syndrome Videos (ダウン症のある人の暮らし動画) Documentary video series produced with subsidies from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, depicting the daily lives of people with Down syndrome across infancy, school age, and adulthood.
• Prenatal Testing Information and Counseling (出生前検査情報提供・相談支援) Information and counseling service regarding prenatal testing (including NIPT), presenting JDS's basic stance on prenatal screening while supporting families regardless of the choices they make.
• (+Happy) Child-rearing Handbook (+Happy しあわせのたね 子育て手帳) A practical handbook designed for families raising children with Down syndrome, providing guidance and information for the early child-rearing years.

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Japan Down Syndrome Society (日本ダウン症学会)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership with the academic/scientific organization for research, education, and advocacy. Jointly conduct life surveys, publish research, and organize conferences.
• Down Syndrome International (DSi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational federation; JDS is a full member since January 2011. Collaborates on global advocacy and information sharing.
• Asia Pacific Down Syndrome Federation (APDSF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional organization under DSi; JDS collaborates on Asia-Pacific regional initiatives.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS): The leading US national Down syndrome advocacy and support organization. Directly comparable to JDS as a membership-based national body delivering information, advocacy, programs, and community events for people with Down syndrome and families.
• National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC): US-based national Down syndrome organization focused on resources, education, and advocacy. Comparable to JDS in mission (family/professional support, education, policy advocacy) and operating model (membership-driven nonprofit).
• Down's Syndrome Association (UK): The principal UK charity supporting people with Down syndrome and families. Directly comparable to JDS as a national information, helpline, and advocacy organization serving the same Down syndrome constituency.
• Canadian Down Syndrome Society: Canada's national Down syndrome advocacy organization. Comparable mission, membership/community model, and program mix (information, advocacy, awareness) to JDS, but operating at a different (Canadian) national scale.
• Down Syndrome Australia: Federated national Down syndrome organization in Australia. Highly comparable to JDS in structure — a national umbrella coordinating state-level affiliates — and in delivering information, advocacy, and community programs.

Broad incumbents

• Down Syndrome International (DSi): Global federation of which JDS is a full member. Comparable as a Down syndrome umbrella/advocacy body and as a coordinating partner in World Down Syndrome Day; broader scope (global) and not a direct national competitor to JDS.
• European Down Syndrome Association (EDSA): Pan-European Down syndrome umbrella organization. Comparable to JDS in advocacy and information-distribution role for the Down syndrome community, but operating at a continental rather than national level.
• Asia Pacific Down Syndrome Federation (APDSF): Regional Down syndrome federation under DSi with which JDS has a Core strategic partnership. Directly comparable in mission (regional advocacy and information sharing) and overlaps with JDS's international engagement.

Regional players

• Down Syndrome Ireland: National Down syndrome organization in Ireland. Comparable mission and service mix to JDS (information, advocacy, family support), but serves a different geographic market.

Emerging players

• Down Syndrome Education International: International Down syndrome organization focused on education, research, and evidence-based resources. Comparable to JDS in its research and educational content mission, with a stronger international academic orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFRzKXl-eumMp_tXZX-tQMg
• Facebookfacebook.com/JapanDownSyndromeSociety
• Instagraminstagram.com/japan.down_syndrome_society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Japan Down Syndrome Society