PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNITED STATES-JAPAN FOUNDATION HIRES NEW DIRECTOR OF FOUNDATION GRANTS!
August 1, 2018, New York, NY – The United States-Japan Foundation is pleased to announce and welcome Daniel M. Tani as the organization’s new Director of Foundation Grants. Dan will manage and supervise the Foundation’s grant-making program in the United States and Japan. This includes regular engagement with US-Japan networks in the areas of US-Japan education, communication/public opinion, and US-Japan policy studies. The position is based in New York City and Dan will travel domestically and to Japan to monitor grants and explore new projects for potential support. In addition, he will oversee the Foundation’s Elgin Heinz Outstanding Teacher Award.
Dan’s relationship with the US-Japan Foundation (USJF) dates back to 2002, when he was selected as a member of the Foundation’s flagship US-Japan Leadership program. After serving as a delegate, he contributed as a member of the program’s Executive Committee and then was invited to join the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Dan joins the Foundation from the American School in Japan, (ASIJ) where he taught Middle and High School Science, Technology and Design from 2016 to 2018. Prior to his position at ASIJ, Dan was a manager at Orbital ATK an aerospace contractor located outside of Washington DC. The majority of Dan’s career was spent with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where he served as an astronaut at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). In his tenure in the astronaut office, Dan flew on 2 space missions to the International Space Station (ISS), for a total of 132 days in space, featuring 6 space walks.
A third-generation Japanese American, Dan brings a unique perspective to the US-Japan relationship as the son of parents interned during World War II. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Dan holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Dan and his wife have 3 children.
Dan brings his wealth of leaderships experience, strategic perspective, interpersonal skills and humanitarian outlook to his position in the Foundation. Dan says, “my new position with the Foundation will continue my departure from aerospace and towards a professional and personal interest in developing and strengthening the relationship between Japan and the United States.”
Dr. George R. Packard, President, states, “We are very excited to welcome Dan to the team at the United States-Japan Foundation. Dan will bring a new strategy and focus to our grant-making. He is a huge role model and inspiration to our staff and grantees who come into contact with him.”
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).
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. 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.
The United States-Japan Foundation offers grants in the areas of pre-college education, communication / public opinion, US-Japan policy studies and operates the United States-Japan Leadership Program.