📌 Registration closes today! Please register to secure your attendance at the symposium. 📌 シンポジウムのお申込受付は本日までです。奮ってご参加ください。

USJF and JCIE USA recently convened stakeholders in Tokyo to discuss the role of NPOs in Japan’s refugee support. Special thanks to Kato Kazuyo and Stephen McHugh for facilitating this dialogue on policy shifts and cross-sector collaboration. us-jf.org/en/news/roun...

📢 Register now for the USJF Symposium on April 15 (Wed) at 3 PM at the International House of Japan to secure your attendance. Form closes on April 6. 📢 4月15日（水）15時より国際文化会館で開催の米日財団シンポジウムは4月6日まで参加申込受付中です。お早めにお申し込みください。 goume3wd.paperform.co

The Brookings Institution has published a USJF-supported research commentary, analyzing Japan’s critical minerals strategy and proposing international policy mechanisms to align national security with market realities. us-jf.org/en/news/broo...

USJF hosted a reception in Vancouver at the AAS Annual Conference to honor Dr. Qiaoyan Li Rosenberg, the inaugural recipient of the USJF Scholar Dissertation Award. The event celebrated her pioneering research on labor migration in Japan. us-jf.org/en/news/usjf...

(1/6) We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of hibakusha, author, and historian Shigeaki Mori at the age of 88. While many remember him for his historic embrace with former U.S. President Obama in 2016, our community was privileged to know him through his tireless work for reconciliation.

Join us on April 15 for a special symposium, "Reimagining the U.S.-Japan Friendship: Connecting Civil Society Across the Pacific," introducing our new vision on connection with a social purpose. 📅 Wed, April 15, 3 PM 📍 International House of Japan us-jf.org/en/news/usjf...

(1/3) Pictured here is a moment from "Japan-Maryland Night 2026" at the Ambassador’s Residence in Washington, D.C., with Ambassador Shigeo Yamada, Wes Moore (USJLP 2013), Governor of Maryland, and Monica Sanz (USJLP 2018, 2019), Co-Chair of the USJLP Fellows Advisory Council, from left to right.

🌱 New Grantee Profile: U.S.-Japan Feminist Art Network “There are tactics and strategies where artistic practice and visual culture can help bring recognition to feminist identities and practices.” us-jf.org/en/grantee-p...

Former USJF Trustee Colleen Hanabusa passed away on March 5 at age 74. A pioneering Hawaii leader, she served as the first woman President of the Hawaii State Senate and represented her state for four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. us-jf.org/en/news/form...

Tiffany Benjamin, CEO of the Humana Foundation, has joined USJF as a Trustee. A leader in the American philanthropic sector, she brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership and health equity initiatives. us-jf.org/en/news/lead...

This Friday at #AAS2026, USJF will host a reception honoring Qiaoyan Li Rosenberg, the inaugural recipient of the Scholar Dissertation Award. 📍 Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel 🕖 March 13, 7:15–9:15 PM PST Conference registration is still open at www.asianstudies.org/conference/

🇯🇵 🆕White Paper: Room for Reform examines Japan’s nonprofit legal framework. This report was supported by the USJP - @usjf.bsky.social and developed in partnership with JACO. 🔗https://www.icnl.org/post/report/room-for-reform-the-legal-framework-for-nonprofit-organizations-in-japan

The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) (@icnl.bsky.social) has published a USJF-supported white paper, analyzing structural challenges in Japan’s nonprofit sector and proposing legal reforms to strengthen civic participation. us-jf.org/en/news/usjf...

📈 New Trends & Trendsetters: Digital Divide Explore the digital divide crisis faced by nonprofits in Japan and the U.S., highlighting capacity challenges and innovative solutions to bridge the gap in digital transformation. us-jf.org/en/trends-an...

USJF announces its 2025 Fourth Quarter grantees, comprising 15 organizations advancing work on shared social, educational, humanitarian, and policy challenges. The full project descriptions can be found on the Foundation’s Grants Awarded page. us-jf.org/en/news/usjf...

💬 New USJF Forum: Can One Election Reshape Japan? The Takaichi Supermajority Japan’s February 8 snap election gave the Liberal Democratic Party 316 seats: a supermajority for PM Takaichi. What does this mean for Japan’s future? USJF experts weigh in. us-jf.org/en/forum/can...

Four Fellows of the United States–Japan Leadership Program (USJLP) — Taro Kono, Motohisa Furukawa, Akihisa Shiozaki, and Arfiya Eri — were re-elected to Japan’s House of Representatives in the 51st general election, held on Sunday. us-jf.org/en/news/four...

最新の米国国勢調査データによると、米国の賃借人が支払う家賃の中央値は月額1,413ドルとなり、5年前と比べて物価調整後で約100ドル上昇しました。一方で、持ち家世帯の住宅コストはほぼ横ばいです。こうした賃貸住宅の危機は、供給と需要の双方を視野に入れた多面的な対応を求めています。 インディヴァー・ダッタ＝グプタ氏（@indivar.bsky.social）による米日財団との新論考では、日本の例から得られる示唆をもとに、特に賃借人にとっての住宅環境をどのように改善し得るのかを考察します。 us-jf.org/ja/research/...

(1/2) New Census data confirms: U.S. renters are now paying a median of $1,413/month— a $100 inflation-adjusted increase from five years ago—while homeowner costs stayed flat. This rental housing crisis demands multi-pronged approaches that consider both supply and demand.

Indivar Dutta-Gupta (@indivar.bsky.social)’s paper, published as part of the USJF Research series, explores what the U.S. can learn from Japan’s housing system—highlighting affordability, low homelessness, and policy lessons on zoning, housing supply, and income supports. us-jf.org/en/news/usjf...

USJF Japan Representative Haruto Okabe has been selected as a recipient of the BEYOND AWARD 2026 by Business Insider Japan, recognizing boundary-crossing leaders shaping new approaches to social impact. us-jf.org/en/news/usjf...

📌 Reminder: Applications for the U.S.-Japan Global Impact Grant with Sister Cities International are still open and close on this Saturday, January 31, 11:59 PM ET. Learn more from our post below.

🌱 New Grantee Profile: National Association of Japan-America Societies “We saw the opportunity to be a platform for the broader people-to-people connection between the two countries.” Their hub enhances collaboration within the civil society ecosystem. us-jf.org/en/grantee-p...

Roger H. Nozaki has joined USJF as a Senior Advisor, bringing extensive experience in philanthropy and social impact to support our work advancing the social sector in Japan. We look forward to working with Roger. us-jf.org/en/news/phil...

USJF has launched USJF Forum, a new series featuring expert perspectives on key U.S.-Japan and Indo-Pacific issues. The inaugural Forum focuses on Asian security, exploring Japan’s defense debates, regional alliances, and rising maritime tensions. us-jf.org/en/news/usjf...

Japanese War Brides: Across a Wide Divide, a USJF-supported traveling exhibition, is now on view at the Chemung County Historical Society through Feb 28, with special programs this month: • Talk with Kathryn Tolbert (Jan 14) • Exhibit Reception for Members (Jan 15) • Oral History Workshop (Jan 17)

USJF Japan Representative Haruto Okabe spoke at a recent discussion with a Diet member and experts on charitable giving in Japan, co-hosted by USJF and PoliPoil, in cooperation with the Japan Association of New Public. us-jf.org/en/news/diet...

USJF Vice President and Managing Director (Grants and Japan) Tomoyuki Watanabe will retire effective December 31, 2025, concluding more than a decade of service with the Foundation. We look forward to honoring his contributions in Tokyo this spring. us-jf.org/en/news/usjf...

USJF has opened its new Washington, D.C. headquarters, marking the occasion with a celebration of the talent, creativity, and contributions of the US-Japan Leadership Program network to U.S.-Japan relations. us-jf.org/en/news/usjf...

The deadline for the U.S.-Japan Global Impact Grant with Sister Cities International has been extended to January 31, 2026, supporting innovative, community-led projects addressing shared global challenges. us-jf.org/en/news/dead...

A new report by the Asia Society Policy Institute, supported by USJF, examines the risks and opportunities facing the U.S.-Japan alliance amid political change and growing geopolitical uncertainty. Read "A Stress Test for Resilience" below. asiasociety.org/policy-insti...

We are still accepting applications for the 2026–2027 Delegate cohort of the US–Japan Leadership Program (USJLP), through Monday, January 5, 2026. Eligible candidates must be U.S. or Japanese citizens and aged 28-42 years old as of July 25, 2026. More details below!

USJF hosted the inaugural Young Mayors of Japan Award ceremony, honoring Mayor Hiroto Fujii of Minokamo City for his leadership and commitment to citizen-centered governance. The event also featured a round table discussion on today’s local governments. us-jf.org/en/news/loca...

USJF has published a new report with Peace Winds America on U.S. foreign aid retrenchment and its implications for Japan-U.S. cooperation in international development. The report is available in English and Japanese on our website. us-jf.org/en/news/unit...

USJF is supporting Flyby Anomalies, a November 29 symposium at Tokyo University of the Arts exploring feminism, queerness, art, and activism. Free to attend, with a Japanese-language zine for participants. See details below. us-jf.org/en/news/usjf...

SSP is honored to share that @usjf.bsky.social has named its annual dissertation award after MIT professor of political science Richard Samuels.The Richard J. Samuels Dissertation Award in Japanese Studies recognizes excellence in social sciences research on Japan. @mitpolisci.bsky.social

🌱 New Grantee Profile: Hitotsubashi University “This is not an easy type of work for us to be doing, but we always remember that it is much more difficult for those we support.” The DAR program provides sanctuary to at-risk democracy advocates in Asia. us-jf.org/en/grantee-p...

🌱 New Grantee Profile: Shizuoka University “The goal is not just to promote the voices of academics or policymakers, but also those actually trying to make change on the ground.” The cross-border team tackles demographic decline with storytelling. us-jf.org/en/grantee-p...

USJF Japan Representative Haruto Okabe will speak at FRJ Special 2025 on December 6 in Tokyo, joining Japan’s top nonprofit leaders to discuss philanthropy and social impact. Learn more about the event below. us-jf.org/en/news/usjf...

USJF has announced the 2025 Social Impact Stipends for 18 fellows and delegates of the U.S.-Japan Leadership Program, supporting 11 projects on various topics with up to $10,000 in seed funding. Read the full announcement and project list below. us-jf.org/en/news/usjf...

A new paper by Dr. Adam P. Liff (@adampliff.bsky.social) on Japan foreign policy expertise in U.S. academia, published as part of the new USJF Research series, highlights the accelerating disappearance and calls for renewed investment in future generations of scholars. us-jf.org/en/news/usjf...

USJF President and CEO Jacob M. Schlesinger was recently interviewed by CNN and Foreign Policy on Prime Minister Takaichi's leadership and the future of U.S.-Japan relations. Read the full article and watch the interview below. us-jf.org/en/news/usjf...

USJF is accepting nominations for the 2nd annual Dissertation Award in social sciences on Japan, with a $2,500 honorarium. Nominations by departments for dissertations accepted Jan 1, 2025-Jun 13, 2026, are due Jun 15, 2026, to [email protected]. us-jf.org/en/news/usjf...

United States-Japan Foundation and Sister Cities International launch the U.S.–Japan Global Impact Grant, offering up to $25,000, to help sister cities address shared social challenges. Applications open November 1, 2025. us-jf.org/en/news/us-j...

From July 27–Aug 3, the 26th US–Japan Leadership Program brought 42 Delegates to Kyoto for a week of dialogue, exchange, and connection. Dive into our day-by-day report on the people, places, and ideas that shaped #USJLP 2025. us-jf.org/en/news/usjl...

Thank you to everyone who joined! If you missed it or want to revisit the conversation, you can now watch the full recording below. vimeo.com/1123425399?f...

Join us Oct 10 (2:30–4PM JST) at the Japan National Press Club for the release of a new report on the future of US–Japan development cooperation, featuring James Gannon (Peace Winds America) and Jacob Schlesinger (USJF). 📍 In person & online 🔗 Register below www.jnpc.or.jp/archive/conf...

USJF's signature initiative, the US–Japan Leadership Program (USJLP), connecting leaders from both nations to build trust and collaboration, is now accepting applications for its 2026–2027 Delegate cohort through Monday, January 5, 2026. #USJF #USJLP us-jf.org/en/news/usjl...

We are thrilled to announce that Mayor Hiroto Fujii of Minokamo City, Gifu, is the recipient of USJF’s inaugural Young Mayors of Japan Award—honoring U45 leaders with innovative approaches to governance. Join us to celebrate on Oct 29. us-jf.org/en/news/hiro...