Officially Certified as a Specified Non-profit Organization by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government

We are pleased to announce that ASHA (Specified Non-profit Corporation), based in Minato-ku, Tokyo (Co-Representative Directors: Yoshifumi Nin and Sandeep Shakya), was officially certified as a Provisionally Certified NPO Corporation by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on January 13, 2023.

As of February 24, 2023, out of all NPOs registered in Tokyo, there are 312 Certified NPOs, and only 3 Provisionally Certified NPOs, including ASHA.

• Certified Specified Nonprofit Corporation System (Certified NPO Corporation System)

This system was established to support the activities of NPO corporations by encouraging donations, offering tax benefits. It also allows NPO corporations established within five years to receive provisional certification if their organizational operations and activities are deemed appropriate, with the potential to contribute to the healthy development of their specific non-profit activities and the public good. NPOs meeting certain criteria are exempt from the Public Support Test (PST) and can receive tax incentives for a limited time, under the Provisionally Certified NPO Corporation System.

ASHA, at its five-year anniversary, has been granted provisional certification by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The certification is valid for three years, and within this period, ASHA will work to meet the requirements of the Public Support Test (PST) and prepare for full certification.

• What is the Public Support Test (PST)?

  The Public Support Test (PST) is a criterion used to assess whether an NPO is receiving broad support from the public. It is a key point in the certification standards and requires NPOs to meet one of the following criteria: Relative Standard, Absolute Standard, or Individual Designation by Local Ordinance. Due to recent tax reforms, more NPOs, including those with significant membership or grant income, or small-scale organizations, are now eligible for this system. However, NPOs that meet the requirements and are certified account for less than 3% of all NPOs.

  Relative Standard: The proportion of donations in relation to total income must be 20% or more. Absolute Standard: There must be an average of 100 or more donors contributing 3,000 yen or more annually. Individual Designation by Local Ordinance: The NPO must be individually designated by a local ordinance of the prefecture or municipality.
  

  These criteria aim to ensure that NPOs are genuinely supported by the public, ensuring their activities have a broad base of community involvement.

• Tax Measures for Donations

  By becoming a Provisionally Certified NPO Corporation, the following tax benefits are available: For Donations by Individuals: When individuals make a donation, they can claim a deduction on their income tax by filing a tax return and choosing either an income deduction or a tax credit. For Donations by Corporations: In addition to the general limits on deducting donations, corporations that donate to certified public interest-enhancing NPOs can also include the donation amount within a special limit for expense deductions. For Donations of Tangible Assets from Individuals: If an individual donates physical assets (e.g., land, buildings, or stocks), and certain requirements are met, capital gains tax on appreciated assets (the tax on any value increase from the time of acquisition to the time of donation) is exempt.

  
  

  For more detailed information, please refer to the Cabinet Office NPO Homepage: https://www.npo-homepage.go.jp/kifu

• Comment on the Special Certification ASHA Representative Director, Yoshifumi Nin We are deeply honored that ASHA has been granted Provisionally Certified NPO Corporation status by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

  
  

  For several years, we have been focusing on strengthening our organizational foundation and governance, and we are truly grateful for this recognition.

  
  

  As a result of this certification, donors will now be eligible for tax deductions on their contributions. We hope this will encourage you to consider registering as an annual supporter and contributing to our cause.

  
  

  In recent years, ASHA has gained significant support and participation from many members, and our activities are expanding. We are committed to improving "access to healthcare" in Nepal and would like to reach as many people as possible with this important work. We sincerely appreciate your continued support.

  
  

  Donate to ASHA here: https://www.asha-np.org/donate

• ASHA's Activities With the mission of "Basic Health Rights for All: Create a world where everyone can live healthy and stay healthy." ASHA is supporting the improvement and efficiency of healthcare in rural Nepal by implementing medical information management systems to ensure proper management of healthcare data.

  (1) Creating a Digital “Healthcare Delivery System” in Remote Areas of Nepal In regions with limited geographical access to healthcare facilities, ASHA is providing a support application for non-medical health workers, employed locally, to communicate correctly with patients, provide essential knowledge, and detect dangerous situations through a screening process.

  Additionally, in Nepalese healthcare facilities, paper-based medical records are given to patients, and patients often fail to bring them for follow-up visits, making it difficult to review past medical history. This, along with a lack of data accumulation at healthcare facilities, is a significant problem. To address this, ASHA is supporting the introduction of medical information management tools that allow for the provision of medical care based on patient histories and the quantitative tracking of healthcare needs. To date, over 25,000 residents in select rural areas have been issued IDs, and the system is now in use.
  

  (2) Health Education in Remote Secondary Schools in Nepal ASHA has developed and provided training programs for secondary school students in remote areas who have limited opportunities to learn about health. Approximately 200 students have participated in these programs so far.