This Keio University program aims to strengthen Japan’s NPO and social sector ecosystem for maximum impact. It offers practical, MBA-level management education, fosters cross-sectoral connections between NPOs, government, and business, and builds a global network linking Japan and the U.S. The program is designed for leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs from NPOs, as well as managers from companies and the government.
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Grant Awarded: $750,000 over three years
The Democracy Advocates at Risk (DAR) program supports at-risk democracy advocates from Asia by providing a safe haven in Japan. It connects activists with Japanese scholars, offering them roles as researchers or lecturers. In collaboration with Freedom House, the program strengthens solidarity, secures essential funding, and provides mid-term support.
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Grant Awarded: ¥8,240,000
This project aims to deepen mutual understanding of the non-profit sectors in Japan and the U.S. through online discussions, culminating in an in-person convening in Japan. It explores new frameworks for addressing social challenges, fosters cross-border networks, and identifies shared strategies for social sector leaders in both countries. The project includes case study analyses, discussions on collective impact, equity, and system change, as well as skills training.
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Grant Awarded: $150,000
Connecticut College was awarded funding for six additional moderate-to-high-need students to participate in the 2025 Connecticut College Orchestra Tokyo Concert Program. This initiative brings the Connecticut College Orchestra together with the Tokyo Sinfonia, fostering U.S.-Japan relations and nurturing future cultural ambassadors. The program includes cultural immersion, joint rehearsals, and a performance at Oji Hall in Tokyo. It aims to create a lasting impact by integrating the Japanese language and studies into local schools.
Location: New London, CT
Grant Awarded: $12,985
This project establishes a U.S.-Japan Feminist Art Network to foster dialogue on contemporary feminist art and activism. We plan to host a public symposium in Tokyo in late November 2025 to create a community for ongoing collaboration. The network seeks to amplify the voices of Japanese feminist artists, connect them to art historical discourse, and promote interdisciplinary collaboration.
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Grant Awarded: $25,000
The Accelerate program, proposed by the Corporate Directors Forum Institute, is a two-year initiative to strengthen board governance in the U.S. and Japan. It will bring together women who are current and aspiring board members from both countries to build expertise and exchange best practices for diversifying and modernizing corporate boards. The practices and programs developed will also serve as a model for other countries seeking to build effective, diverse boards.
Location: San Diego, CA
Grant Awarded: $55,000
The "Atomic Veterans" project seeks funding to produce an hour-long documentary on the untold stories of American atomic veterans who served in Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the bombings. The film will capture interviews with the last living veterans, exploring the physical and psychological impact of their experiences and their struggle for recognition while changing the way Americans are educated about the atomic bombs. By sharing atomic veterans' stories, the project aims to promote peace, expose the realities of nuclear war, and strengthen U.S.-Japan relations. The documentary will be produced in collaboration with Blue Chalk Media, broadcast by Cascade PBS, and distributed to all American Public Television partner stations across the country.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Grant Awarded: $66,500
This program supports climate-focused African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by providing mentorship to help them scale and advance sustainable development goals. The program prioritizes SMEs with a gender focus to maximize their impact on climate change. Mentors from the U.S. and Japan will collaborate to guide and support these businesses.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Grant Awarded: $47,545
This is a community-based food justice movement exploring Japanese and African American food cultures. It addresses health challenges and culinary opportunities in both communities by researching shared traditions, such as bean and rice staples and fermentation. The project will host pop-up dinners in cities like New York, the San Francisco Bay Area, and/or Tokyo, fostering cultural exchange and promoting healthy eating. Through these efforts, it aims to strengthen connections between the two cultures.
Location: Oakland, CA
Grant Awarded: $50,000
This project empowers traveling chefs and kitchen residencies to create spaces where local communities can easily engage with new culinary experiences. By supporting Chef-in-Residence (CIR) programs, it fosters creative spaces where everyday life and extraordinary cuisine intersect. The initiative deepens mutual understanding of food cultures between the United States and Japan while laying the foundation for sustainable exchange.
Location: Yokohama, Japan
Grant Awarded: $30,000
Jazu Harlem is a three-year initiative by the National Jazz Museum in Harlem (NJMH) designed to celebrate the cultural histories of Harlem, New York City, and Japan. The project seeks to elevate the Japan-Harlem jazz connection and build deeper relationships between audiences in New York City and Japan. Each year will include concerts, lectures, and interviews at the NJMH and partner venues.
Location: New York City, NY
Grant Awarded: $39,000
Partnered with the Center for Governance and Markets, the University of Pittsburg, and the Harvard School of Public Health, the Beyond Borders project fosters a bilateral exchange between Japan and the United States to tackle challenges from population decline. It will create a multimedia platform with podcasts and videos to share practices and promote dialogue among stakeholders. The project includes workshops and discussions, leveraging networks to foster collaboration between practitioners and academics. Ultimately, the goal is to equip Japan and the US to address the impacts of depopulation.
Location: Shizuoka, Japan
Grant Awarded: $25,000
This project by the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE) seeks support to address a gap in strengthening the U.S.-Japan partnership to advance democracy in the Indo-Pacific region. The project aims to invite members of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) to Tokyo for discussions with Diet members and other Japanese stakeholders. This initiative intends to prevent the loss of momentum in supporting democracy and signals Japan's increased role in defending democracy in the region as a key US ally.
Location: New York, NY
Grant Awarded: $12,000
USJF/Dodgers Grantees
Churayui is a nonprofit organization that provides a safe space for children and young people facing challenges like truancy, social withdrawal, or poverty. Acting as a bridge between home and society, it offers an environment where they can be themselves, explore their potential, and take steps toward a brighter future. As Tomoko Imagi, Director of Churayui, explains: “We plan to use the grant we received to help fund the opening of a community café—a space where children and young people can freely gather and even have opportunities to work. We remain committed to doing our utmost so that every child and young person can live a life filled with hope.” We also note that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was born in Okinawa and his mother is Okinawan. After the Dodgers won the World Series last year, he visited Naha “to be with my people and celebrate with you guys, together.”
A champion of kodomo shokudō (children’s cafeterias), Musubie supports over 8,000 meal sites across Japan that provide food, friendship, and community to children in need. Their efforts include supporting regional networks of children’s cafés, collaborating with companies and organizations eager to make a societal impact, and undertaking surveys, research, and outreach initiatives. Rie Mishima, Executive Managing Director, explains: “With this generous funding, we will continue to make every effort to ensure that we continue to deliver kindness to children rather than loneliness. We are honored by this support and hope to have a long partnership with the U.S.-Japan Foundation and the Los Angeles Dodgers.”
Founded in April 2020 by baseball legend Alex Ramirez and his wife Miho, VAMOS TOGETHER is a nonprofit organization striving for inclusiveness. It empowers children with Down syndrome and other special needs to learn and thrive alongside children without disabilities. With a mission to foster independence, uncover talent, and create future opportunities, the organization brings smiles to children and families while building connections that lead to meaningful societal change.
Through the TOMODACHI Initiative and other programs, the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) cultivates the next generation of leaders and strengthens U.S.-Japan ties through education and exchange. These funds will support Kibou (Hope) for Los Angeles (KLA), a cross-cultural program empowering youth in Altadena, California, through resilience, leadership, and community rebuilding. Audrey Yamamoto, President & CEO of USJC, shared: “We are deeply grateful to the Dodgers and the United States–Japan Foundation for partnering with us to turn tragedy into transformation. By connecting Altadena’s next generation of leaders with the Tohoku region of Japan that has rebuilt and thrived after disaster, we are creating a powerful opportunity for healing, learning, and future leadership.” It is especially meaningful that both Ohtani and Sasaki are from Tohoku, as this effort connects their Japanese and American hometowns.
