Oct. 27, 2025
ASHA Has Become a Certified NPO
ASHA (Certified NPO; Co-Representatives: Yoshifumi Nin and Sandip Sakya; Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo) is pleased to announce that it was officially recognized as a Certified NPO by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on September 24, 2025.
ASHA had previously received “special certification” status, but with this official certification, donations from individuals and corporations will continue to be eligible for tax incentives, and new forms of contributions, including bequests, are now also eligible for tax benefits.
ASHA operates as a community that brings together the efforts of supporters and members to make society a brighter place. By expanding this community, we will continue to transform the goodwill of our supporters into meaningful action for the people we serve on the ground.
About Certified NPOs in Japan
A Certified NPO is an organization that meets the strict standards set by the relevant authorities and is officially recognized for its proper governance and contribution to the public good. Certification is reviewed and renewed every five years.
As of the end of August 2025, there are 49,259 NPOs in Japan, but only about 2.6% (1,297 organizations) are Certified NPOs (Cabinet Office statistics).
ASHA has been recognized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for the soundness of its governance and the social impact of its activities.
As a Certified NPO, ASHA will continue to enhance its credibility and work sincerely to address the challenges of healthcare access in remote areas of Nepal.
Message from ASHA Co-Representative Yoshifumi Nin
“We are delighted to have been officially certified as a Certified NPO by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. ASHA will celebrate its 10th anniversary in October 2025, and receiving this recognition at such a milestone is truly gratifying.
Since obtaining the special certification three years ago, we have worked diligently to strengthen our organizational foundation and governance. ASHA is primarily run by pro bono members, and thanks to the support of our community, we have expanded our network and solidified our organizational base.
With this official certification, donors will continue to receive tax deductions for the next five years. We encourage everyone to consider registering as annual supporters or contributing in other ways.
ASHA now has more than 70 members, and our activities are rapidly expanding. By broadening the circle of people involved, we aim to increase access to healthcare both in Nepal and Japan. We sincerely appreciate your continued support.”
Tax Incentives for Donations
Since January 2023, ASHA has held special certification status, allowing donors to benefit from the following tax incentives:
For Individuals:
Donations can be deducted from income tax through either income deduction or tax credit upon filing.
For Corporations:
Donations are eligible for deduction from taxable income within the special deduction limits for contributions to designated public interest promotion organizations, in addition to the general limit for charitable donations.
Non-taxation of capital gains for in-kind donations from individuals:
Individuals donating property (land, buildings, stocks, etc.) may be exempt from capital gains tax on the increase in value from acquisition to donation, if certain conditions are met.
New Benefits for Bequests and Inheritances
As a Certified NPO, ASHA now also offers inheritance and legacy donation tax advantages.Specifically, if an individual donates assets acquired through inheritance or bequest to an NPO, the donated value is excluded from taxable inheritance.
For more details, please refer to the Cabinet Office of Japan: