BBS associations are part of the BBS Movement(Big Brothers and Sisters Movement). These are voluntary organizations of young people who, as well as assisting the wholesome development and prevention of delinquency among juveniles by relating to them as their older siblings, also engage in various activities designed to rid communities of crime or delinquency.
  Characteristic activities within the BBS Movement include"Friendship Activities", designed to help juveniles overcome their problems or anxieties by befriending them and giving them a good talking partner. This is implemented after requests from probation offices as well as child guidance centers, family courts, and elsewhere. The associations also engage in other activities such as exchanges with juveniles in juvenile training schools, preventing delinquency, and study.
  In addition to municipalities and similar regional units, recently some BBS associations have been formed with schools as their unit of activity. As of April 1st, 2000, there were 582 BBS associations, with 6,047 members. Meanwhile, there had been 272 cases of "Friendship Activities" for juvenile probationers and others (source:Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice).