Understanding Activity Fields of Environmental Conservation NPOs Using Quantitative Text Analysis of Articles of Incorporation

Abstract

Contrary to the indispensable roles of environmental conservation NPOs, diversity in their activity fields is not given attention. In Japan, no source lists the number of organizations working in each field such as forest conservation or waste reduction. Therefore, this study attempts to estimate them using quantitative text analysis of the organizational purpose mentioned in the articles of incorporation. Based on our analysis, 7,708 NPOs having environmental conservation as their purpose exist in Japan. Further, their activity fields were found to change based on the establishment period.