FUJIFILM Business Innovation was the first company in Japan to adopt a system of Social Service Leave. It allows employees to apply for a leave of between 3 to 24 months to join social service activities, such as volunteer work at social welfare facilities or JICA's Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers program.
FUJIFILM Business Innovation also started its Volunteer Day Off program in 1993, where employees can use their "reserved leave," or an accumulation of up to 60 days worth of unused paid leave for which the validity dates have expired, for up to 5 days a month to take a short-term volunteer leave. The program is used in various styles and for various activities. Some participate in a weekday volunteer event, some spend a whole week to work for the Special Olympics or assist reconstruction efforts in disaster-hit areas, and others join volunteer camps abroad.
“Employee on Social Service Leave teaching children about the Special Olympics”
“Taking Volunteer Days Off to join a volunteer camp abroad”