Foreign Minister of Japan awarded JB Line, Inc. his commendation

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On Tuesday, July 17, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, awarded his commendation to JB Line, Inc. for its dedicated efforts in extending help to Japanese immigrants and their families throughout six states of New England. It is our great privilege to share this joyful news with all people related to Japan in New England.

Taking this occasion, the Consulate-General of Japan in Boston would like to express its respect and sincere gratitude to the members of JB Line, Inc. and to the outside agencies, organizations, individuals that have supported its acts of kindness.

In the fall of 2010, JB Line, Inc. took a first step toward improving the well-being of Japanese residents by offering a 24/7 Hotline. Thanks to the help of qualified and certified volunteers, the total number of calls to the hotline marked 20,000 in July, 2018. When issues extend beyond a phone conversation, JB Line, Inc. arranges in-person meetings with clients to discuss how to best proceed. Staff refer clients to local resources and also provide direct support from colleagues and/or volunteers, if needed.

JB Line, Inc.’s activities and its partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations and experts have greatly contributed to solving a broad range of issues that the Japanese or related people in New England are concerned with.

The Consulate General of Japan in Boston has worked closely together with JB Line, Inc. from the outset in order to further strengthen its partnership. Since 2013, the two stakeholders have been building upon an agreement in place, designed to offer assistance for Japanese survivors of domestic violence. JB Line, Inc. is one of nine organizations in the world which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan is aligned with on Domestic Violence issues. It not only gives advice to survivors from New England but also to those throughout the United States.