| The
Scout Movement spread to Japan in 1913 soon after it was founded in England in
1907 by Lord Robert Baden-Powell. In 1922 the National Association was organised
in Japan, and the organisation became a founder-member of the International Conference
of the Boy Scout Movement during its inaugural meeting in Paris, France. After
short disruption during World War II, the national association was readmitted
as a full member of International Conference of the Scout Movement in 1950. The
Movement has steadily grown on the social, cultural and traditional soil of our
country, and established an eminent place for itself in social education for young
people. The National Association is re-named as Scout Association of Japan, and
abbreviated as SAJ. SAJ has opened the doors to the girls/female youth in all
Sections in 1995. In 1971, SAJ hosted three major World Scouting events, 13th
World Jamboree and 1st World Scout Forum in Shizuoka, and 23rd World Scout Conference
in Tokyo.
From 1974, SAJ has continuously invited some 45 Scouts from
Scout Associations in the Asia-Pacific Region every year aiming to provide opportunities
to take part in major international events such as Jamborees, Ventures, Agoonorees
and Rover Scouting events. SAJ celebrated its 75th Anniversary of founding
of the National Scout Association in 1997 and hosted the 2nd Asia-Pacific Regional
Top Leaders' Summit Conference in Gotemba and Tokyo. In recent years, SAJ
held several international events which include 6th Nippon Agoonoree in Ehime
in August 1999, 5th Nippon Venture in Oita in August 2000, National Rover Moot
2001 in Aichi in August 2001, 23rd Asia-Pacific/13th Nippon Jamboree in Osaka
in August 2002. Scouts are actively involed in the international understanding
and co-operation programmes such as ORT twinning project by Rovers with the Bangladesh
Scouts and nation-wide fund-raising activities for the refugees of UNHCR camps. | 
