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We are pleased to offer our readers access to a provocative article by our new Japan Representative, Haruto Okabe. Alliance magazine has graciously granted exclusive permission to share it with our network free of charge here. Alliance publishes a rich range of important articles under the theme "For Philanthropy and Social Investment Worldwide." Please check out some of their wonderful content. They have also kindly provided a discount for anyone to subscribe. Use the code "HARUTO30" for 30% off your subscription to Alliance.
The following is a short excerpt from the essay, which explores the structural and cultural dynamics behind Japan’s underdeveloped philanthropic sector—and offers a bold call to reframe the conversation.
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Japanese philanthropy has fallen behind. Can it catch up?
Japan’s economy is the fourth-largest in the world, yet it ranks near the bottom of the World Giving Index. Why? For decades, Japan’s philanthropic sector has remained relatively stagnant, both in terms of the volume and quality of giving. Alongside this stagnation of giving, numerous social challenges have persisted—or even worsened—ranging from child poverty and gender inequality to rural depopulation and environmental degradation. Common explanations for this stagnation in giving often point to cultural and religious factors, such as the absence of tithing traditions or a secular social ethos, as core reasons behind Japan’s limited philanthropic engagement. But are these explanations sufficient? Is it possible that more structural barriers are at play? We must ask whether Japan’s slow philanthropic inertia stems not just from cultural context—but from policy design, institutional gaps, and sector dynamics that can be addressed. |
About Haruto Okabe
As the Japan Representative, Haruto Okabe leads the Foundation’s new Japan strategy and works with civil-society leaders to strengthen the country’s social impact ecosystem and deepen ties between Japan and the United States. Read more about him here.
Related: Trend & Trendsetters
This article builds on themes explored in Trend & Trendsetters, USJF’s new blog series on key trends and best practices in the U.S. and Japanese nonprofit sectors. From structural barriers in Japanese philanthropy to trust-based giving and corporate sponsorship, each piece offers expert insight and real-world lessons for changemakers. Read the series here.
