The United States-Japan Foundation is committed to promoting stronger ties between Americans and Japanese by supporting projects that foster mutual knowledge and education, deepen understanding, create effective channels of communication, and address common concerns in an increasingly interdependent world.


Mission & Vision

The United States-Japan Foundation, incorporated under United States law in 1980, was founded with a grant of $44.8 million from the Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation (now known as the Nippon Foundation).

Mr. Ryoichi Sasakawa (1899-1995), Chairman of the Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation, had the foresight to understand the great importance of the relationship between the United States and Japan to the two countries themselves and to the rest of the world. He thus established the Foundation to improve understanding between our two countries.

The United States-Japan Foundation is the only private independent American grant making foundation dedicated to the mutual interests of the American and Japanese people. Our US and Japan offices operate under the direction of a bi-national board of accomplished Japanese and American leaders.


HistoryUS-Japan History

Left to right: Angier Biddle Duke, Ryoichi Sasakawa and Robin Chandler Duke at the launch of USJF in Tokyo, 1980
Board & StaffBoard & Staff

Above: Members of the USJF Board of Trustees together in Tokyo, 2022.