The United States-Japan Foundation (USJF) participated in an invitation-only study session, “Considering the Future of Funding Approaches”, held at The Nippon Foundation on April 21, 2026. Haruto Okabe, USJF’s Japan Representative, spoke at the event as a panelist. The session brought together practitioners and researchers from the philanthropy and nonprofit sectors to exchange ideas on new approaches to funding social impact initiatives and the future direction of philanthropic support in Japan.
The session was facilitated by Satoshi Kida, Director of the Donation Program Department at The Nippon Foundation, and Haruto Okabe of USJF. Speakers from a range of organizations presented on the following topics from their respective professional perspectives:
Throughout the session, participants engaged in multifaceted discussions on topics including support models beyond conventional grantmaking, advocacy funding aimed at institutional change, mechanisms for strengthening the circulation of philanthropic capital, and the importance of organizational and leadership development. U.S.-based examples and models were also introduced, prompting active discussion on their applicability and potential challenges within the Japanese context.
Post-event survey responses were overwhelmingly positive, reflecting strong interest in continued cross-sector dialogue and opportunities for knowledge sharing. Through the planning and participation in events such as this, USJF remains committed to fostering collaboration among funders and advancing the philanthropy sector in Japan.