Abstract
While a great deal of research on volunteerism exists in the United States (Tocqueville, 1840; Ascoli & Cnaan, 1997), there is much less research on volunteerism in Japan. Using a nationally representative sample from Japan in the 1991 World Values Survey, this study examines what kinds of volunteer activities Japanese are involved in & tests Wilson & Musick's theory of volunteerism (an American theory of volunteerism) using Japanese data. Our results indicate that there is a very low level of involvement in all 16 types of volunteer activities in Japan. Consistent with Wilson & Musick's theory, those with more organizational memberships & those who believe religion is important are significantly more likely to be involved in volunteer activities. Contrary to the theory, those who have more trust in major institutions in the society are less likely to get involved in volunteer activities in Japan.