The Arigatou Foundation was established on October 12, 1990 by Myochikai, a Japanese Buddhist organization which has been working for peace since its establishment in 1950. The Arigatou Foundation is dedicated to defending the rights of children and facilitating their sound physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and spiritual development. The Arigatou Foundation has its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan and supports programs in four areas:

The Arigatou Foundation contributes to the well being of countless children the world over, often working with United Nations agencies or other NGOs. In 1991, the Foundation made a significant donation to the UNICEF Gulf Crisis Aid Fund, and provided assistance for educational reconstruction in Iraq in 2003 through UNICEF. It provided continuous assistance from 1998 to 2001 to UNICEF projects in Bhutan, Mozambique, Peru, and the West Bank and Gaza, and conducted a similar program from 2001 to 2003 in Afghanistan, East Timor, Mauritania and China.

Active in education, it built the Salyansthan Primary School in Nepal, which will soon be self-sufficient. These are but a few examples of its assistance activities.

In February 2003, the Foundation established an international liaison office in Geneva, Switzerland.

In February 2004, in recognition of the global impact of its work for children, the Arigatou Foundation was granted special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Arigatou Foundation programs are entirely supported by the voluntary contributions of Myochikai members, who offer donations as a means of putting into practice their prayers for world peace. These offerings are a fundamental part of their Buddhist practice. The Japanese word “Arigatou” means “thank you.” The very name of the Foundation expresses the gratitude which members feel for the opportunity to help children around the world.