Scout Association of Japan

What Scout Association of Japan does

The Scout Association of Japan (公益財団法人ボーイスカウト日本連盟) is a public interest incorporated foundation founded in 1922 that operates Japan's national scout organization as part of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, which spans 176 countries and over 60 million members globally. The federation runs a structured youth education program across five age-based divisions: Beaver Scouts (grades 1-2, ages 6-8), Cub Scouts (grades 3-5, ages 8-11), Boy Scouts (grades 6-9, ages 11-15), Venture Scouts (ages 15-18), and Rover Scouts (age 18+), emphasizing outdoor activities, leadership development, cooperation, and community service. Operations are delivered through a federated model of 47 prefectural scout federations (都道府県連盟) and thousands of local troops (団), supported by trained volunteer adult leaders, with national headquarters at Scout Kaikan in Suginami, Tokyo and outdoor facilities at Nasu Campground (Tochigi) and Takahagi Scout Field (Ibaraki).

The federation's product surface includes the five age-based programs, the Scout Shop physical and online retail channels for uniforms and supplies, the Museum Library historical archive, and the recently launched Scout UP! mobile application (February 2026) for member engagement. Financially, the organization is funded through three documented streams: per-member registration fees (加盟員の登録料), brand licensing royalties paid by the affiliated General Incorporated Foundation Scout Enterprise, and donations (including sustaining membership, legacy giving, the SoftBank Tsunagaru Fund, and Coca-Cola vending machine partnerships). Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Distribution relies on the prefectural federation network, direct troop-level recruitment, social media presence (X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), the official website, and word-of-mouth from existing member families. The federation maintains a broad corporate supporter network including Canon, AEON, MIZUNO, Panasonic, Daiwa House, Uniqlo, snow peak, and mont-bell.

Name

Scout Association of Japan

Legal name

公益財団法人ボーイスカウト日本連盟

Website

https://scout.or.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Scout Association of Japan is a non-profit public interest foundation founded in 1922 that runs Japan's national scout movement, delivering age-based youth education programs (ages 6 to adult) across 47 prefectural federations through outdoor activities, leadership training, and community service, funded by member fees, brand licensing, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Education Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA), Physical Activity & Motor Development Programs (Health-Focused) (EDACAMAI)

Keywords

• Youth education programs
• Scouting movement
• Outdoor activities training
• Membership organization
• Character development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Registration Fees: Revenue generated from加盟員の登録料 (member registration fees) paid by scout members and their families
2. Scout Brand Licensing: Revenue from 一般財団法人ボーイスカウトエンタープライズ (General Incorporated Foundation Scout Enterprise) for use of Scout brand on merchandise and products
3. Donations and Support: Financial support through donations, sustaining membership fees (維持会員), legacy donations, and special funds including SoftBank Tsunagaru Fund and vending machine partnerships

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Scout Association of Japan operates a structured, age-tiered youth education movement through five scout divisions — Beaver Scouts (ages 6-8), Cub Scouts (ages 8-11), Boy Scouts (ages 11-15), Venture Scouts (ages 15-18), and Rover Scouts (age 18+) — delivering outdoor activity-based character, leadership and cooperation programs organized through 47 prefectural federations and thousands of local troops across Japan.

Product overview

Scout Association of Japan operates a structured youth education program across five age-based divisions, from Beaver Scouts (ages 6-7) through Rover Scouts (age 18+). The organization provides outdoor activities, skill development programs, and offers digital tools including the Scout UP! mobile application for members. Additional offerings include facility access (Scout Kaikan, Nasu Campground, Takahagi Scout Field, Museum Library), a Scout Shop for uniforms and supplies, and support programs for members and donors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Scout UP!: Mobile application for Scout activities

Products and services

• Beaver Scout Program (ビーバースカウト)

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo Commemorative Fund (2026年度日本万国博博会記念基金)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026The 19th Japan Scout Jamboree was adopted as a subsidized project by the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo Commemorative Fund, providing major financial support for the 2026 national scout event.
• CanonOthersCanon is listed as a supporter of the Scouting movement, providing backing for scout activities and programs.
• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council Japan)OthersFSC Japan supports sustainable forest practices in scouting, aligning with environmental education goals.
• ICOM (International Council of Museums)OthersICOM supports scout museum and heritage activities.
• AEONOthersAEON supports scouting through corporate sponsorship of activities and programs.
• AEON MALLOthersAEON MALL provides retail sponsorship and support for scout activities.
• MIZUNOOthersMIZUNO provides sporting goods and equipment support for scouting activities.
• GoGo Curry ( ごごカレー)OthersGoGo Curry provides food service and catering support for scout events.
• Seven-Eleven Japan Foundation (セブンイレブン記念財団)OthersSeven-Eleven Japan Foundation supports youth activities and community programs including scouting.
• VICTORINOXOthersSwiss knife manufacturer VICTORINOX supports scouting with quality outdoor tools.
• Yakult (ヤクルト)OthersYakult supports health and wellness aspects of scouting activities.
• Rio TintoOthersRio Tinto supports sustainable resource development education in scouting.
• Uniqlo (ユニクロ)OthersFast Retailing/Uniqlo provides clothing and textile support for scouting.
• International Aerial Photography (国際航空写真)OthersIAP provides aerial photography services for scout activities and events.
• Daiwa House (大和ハウス)OthersDaiwa House supports housing and facility aspects of scouting programs.
• PanasonicOthersPanasonic provides electronics and technology support for scout programs.
• mont-bellOthersmont-bell provides outdoor apparel and gear for scouting activities.
• Pacific Vision CorpOthersPacific Vision Corp supports visual and optical aspects of scout programs.
• snow peakOtherssnow peak provides camping equipment and outdoor gear for scout activities.
• Mitsui Uroko Vessel (ミツウロコヴェッセル)OthersMitsui Uroko Vessel provides energy and heating solutions for scout facilities.
• glicoOthersglico supports food and nutrition aspects of scout activities and camps.
• General Incorporated Foundation Scout Enterprise (一般財団法人ボーイスカウトエンタープライズ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScout Enterprise manages the Scout brand licensing and merchandise operations, paying brand usage fees that support the Scout Association's activities.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Camp Fire (formerly Camp Fire Boys and Girls): US-based youth development organization with club-based programs focused on outdoor activities, leadership, and community service. Comparable in mission and non-formal educational approach, though smaller in scale.
• 4-H (USA): US youth development organization operating club-based programs for ages 5-18 with a focus on hands-on learning, leadership, and community engagement. Comparable in mission and age-tiered club model, though broader in programming.

Direct peers

• Girl Guides Association of Japan (日本ガールスカウト連盟): Japanese counterpart youth organization for girls, similarly structured as a non-profit providing age-based outdoor and character-development programs. Direct domestic peer in the same youth-development category.
• Ring deutscher Pfadfinder*innen (German Scout Associations): German Catholic Scout association (DPSG) and the affiliated Ring deutscher Pfadfinder*innenverbände deliver the same age-tiered Scouting program in Germany. Direct peer of comparable scale and federation structure.
• Scouts Australia: Australian national Scouting organization with Joeys, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, and Rovers. Uses the same WOSM curriculum and is one of the closest international peers by program structure.
• Girl Scouts of the USA: US national girl-focused youth development organization with comparable age-tiered programs, troop structure, and recreational/outdoor programming. Comparable in mission and operation model.
• The Scout Association (UK): UK national Scouting organization with Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorer/Network sections. Operates the same WOSM-aligned program model in a developed market and is a direct international peer.
• Scouts Canada: Canadian national Scouting organization with Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venturer Scouts, and Rover Scouts. Operates the same age-tiered outdoor and character-development model.
• Scouts BSA / Scouts of other national WOSM members: Other national WOSM member organizations (Scouts of France, Scouts of Korea, etc.) operate the same youth Scouting model. The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) is the umbrella body that connects Scout Association of Japan to these international peers.
• Boy Scouts of America (Scouting America): National Scouting organization in the US with the same age-based progressive program (Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing) and WOSM membership. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and membership model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/scoutingjapan
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ScoutingJapan
• Facebookfacebook.com/scout.or.jp
• Instagraminstagram.com/scout_association_of_japan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scout-association-of-japan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Scout Association of Japan