Moving bodies, moving hearts: How DAN DAN RUN connects us to refugee support

Posted on August 25, 2025

Moving bodies, moving hearts: How DAN DAN RUN connects us to refugee support

On Sunday, May 25, 2025, the “DAN DAN RUN” charity run and walk was held at Toyosu Gururi Park in Tokyo’s Koto Ward. This year marked a special milestone: the 10th anniversary of the event, which was created to support refugees who have fled to Japan. The day brought together over 200 participants and around 70 volunteers.

Although there was a light rain until early morning, the skies cleared up just in time for the 9:15 AM opening ceremony. Participants began their chosen course under a clear blue sky, selecting from various running distances (1.6km, 3.2km, 5km, 10km) or walking courses (3km, 5km). An online participation option was also available.

All proceeds from registration fees and merchandise sales will be donated to the Japan Association for Refugees (JAR) as support funds.

The official website states that the “DAN DAN RUN” takes its name from the Japanese word for ‘warmth’ (暖), reflecting the desire to ‘deliver a warm winter’ to refugees who have fled to Japan due to conflict and human rights violations. True to its name, the day was spent with everyone—from the organizing committee and aid organizations to participants and volunteers—sharing a sense of warmth.

This event makes it easy for participants to feel a personal connection to supporting refugees, simply by walking or running. I spoke with Mr. Kuniyasu Nomura, a JAR board member who helped launch the event, and Ms. Yuki Hoshi, a member of the 10th-anniversary organizing committee, to learn about the initiative’s history and future.

How running creates a circle of support and empathy: Founder Nomura on the birth of DAN DAN RUN

Kuniyasu Nomura, a founding member of DAN DAN RUN

The “DAN DAN RUN” began around 2013 as a fundraising activity started by volunteers from JAR. Kuniyasu Nomura, who was a special refugee supporter for the association at the time, was involved in its launch.

“At the time, we were collecting funds through street donations and other events, and someone suggested, ‘Why don’t we try a sports event?'” Nomura explained. “We were really just feeling our way in the dark at first. Our mindset was that if it didn’t work out, we could just stop.”

The first event had a rocky start, being canceled due to heavy snow. However, the first official race was held on June 1, 2014. With the help of colleagues, the event gradually took shape and continued to grow.

“Some people have a running habit, and some don’t,” he said. “We wanted to create an event that anyone could easily join, so we included a walking division.”

Today, the number of supporters has grown, and the event’s network has expanded significantly.

Yuki Hoshi on the hope and hurdles of an all-volunteer committee

Yuki Hoshi, a member of the organizing committee

While in college, Yuki Hoshi interned in public relations for JAR. She participated in the first event as a runner and later served on the organizing committee for the 10th anniversary run.

“This was a milestone 10th event, but there were a lot of first-time committee members like me,” Hoshi said. “We really started from scratch, with a lot of ‘How do we even do this?’ moments.”

She took on various roles, from public relations and exhibits to hosting talk shows and creating content. Together with her team, she built the event from the ground up.

“It was so inspiring to work with a group of volunteers, all of whom had their own sense of purpose and skills,” she recalled. “Over 200 people participated, and it gave me hope that a volunteer-led event could engage so many people.”

Many participants shared that they joined to support refugees, and Hoshi said she was personally encouraged by their words and enthusiasm.

How a small step of “knowing” can make a difference

The talk event in progress

When people hear about supporting refugees, they might feel a little intimidated. However, both Nomura and Hoshi emphasize the importance of simply “knowing” and “caring” first.

“In today’s Japan, there are many social issues besides the refugee problem, and some people believe we should focus on helping those in need within our own country first,” Nomura explained. “But whether they’re old or young, foreign or Japanese, when someone is in trouble, I want us to have a mindset of trying to understand why they’re in trouble.”

Hoshi added, “It’s fine if you join because the charity T-shirts or event merchandise are cute, or because a friend invited you. If you think it looks ‘fun’ or ‘interesting,’ I want you to try participating. In the end, that action leads to support.”

Run, talk, laugh, and support: The road ahead for “DAN DAN RUN”

While this was the tenth event, the future challenge is to attract more participants.

“Some people join us every year, but we need to figure out how to reach new demographics,” Hoshi said. “I think there’s still a lot of potential, including through online engagement.”

“The most important thing is that it remains a fun event. Fun is what makes it last,” Nomura added. “When you run, talk, and laugh together, that becomes a form of support. We want to continue to cherish that atmosphere.”

Your “just for fun” becomes someone’s help

The exhibition booth

Volunteers are a vital part of the team

As a volunteer, I experienced the event firsthand. It showed me that supporting refugees isn’t just about financial donations; it’s also about raising awareness through engaging talk shows and powerful exhibits. A palpable energy filled the venue, blurring the lines between participants and organizers as everyone united in the collective mission to “think about the refugee issue together.”

Perhaps “DAN DAN RUN” isn’t a run after all, but a place where people gather to share their empathy. To anyone whose curiosity is piqued, I encourage you to come and feel the energy for yourself next time. That simple feeling of “this seems interesting” could be the spark that ignites a wider wave of kindness in our society.

[Related Article] For a detailed report from the DAN DAN RUN organizing committee, visit this page: Charity Run & Walk DAN DAN RUN 2025 (in Japanese)

Original text by Anna Kitahara, JNPOC’s volunteer writer, originally posted on July 17, 2025.

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