The JRCS operates social welfare institutions to care for children and physically disabled and elderly people. In addition, these institutions and other Red Cross institutions such as the hospitals offer assistance to local people, and Red Cross volunteers undertake social welfare activities on a community basis. Some of these activities are undertaken by the Red Cross, but others are entrusted by the Government, even though they have the common purpose of focusing on the needs of the communities.

The chart below shows the number of social welfare facilities operated by the JRCS. Each institution tries to be chosen by the users and therefore offers services of high quality. The services of the special nursing homes for the elderly include day and short-stay services; the services of the child welfare facilities include inquiry by telephone, day care and short-stay services; and the services of the welfare facilities for people with disabilities include in-home social welfare services, such as short-stay services.

With society rapidly ageing and fewer children being born, social welfare services rooted in the communities are becoming increasingly important. The JRCS chapters, hospitals, social welfare facilities, and Red Cross volunteers are co-operating with each other to undertake community-based social welfare activities, such as care for the elderly at home, assistance in raising children, and support for the independent living and participation in society of the physically disabled. In particular, from 2004 the JRCS aims to provide support to community mothers and children. Red Cross volunteers and Junior Red Cross members participate in various activities in chapters and social welfare facilities, such as baby-sitting during a course on child safety, assistance for events in social welfare institutions and so on.