In its first phase, JapanHands.org offers a searchable directory of Japan-related organizations alongside a shared calendar of events taking place across the country. The platform is intended to help organizations locate one another, coordinate programming, and reduce duplication of effort within a network that has historically operated with limited central coordination. NAJAS has indicated that future phases will expand the hub to include inventories of subject-matter experts, program alumni, and available grant opportunities.
The launch responds to a moment in which interest in U.S.-Japan engagement continues to grow even as funding available to nonprofit organizations in the field has become more constrained. By centralizing information that is currently spread across dozens of individual organizations, NAJAS aims to strengthen the shared infrastructure that supports collaboration and joint programming across the bilateral relationship.
NAJAS announced the launch during its annual conference in New Orleans. “All of the NAJAS Conference attendees were thrilled when Ambassador Shigeo Yamada echoed the essence of JapanHands just after the launch, stating, ‘First, we will connect Japan-America Societies with the wider network of Japan-related organizations,’” said Andrew Wylegala, President of NAJAS. “JapanHands is an important endeavor in deepening connections and building synergy in the U.S.-Japan ecosystem in an effort to ensure that the U.S.-Japan relationship remains strong over the long term,” said David Janes, Executive Director of AFIHJ.
The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo highlighted the launch on social media, describing JapanHands.org as a new, free public resource for those interested in Japan-related activities in North America and beyond, and the Japan Embassy in Washington, D.C. also introduced it as a resource for those looking for meaningful ways to engage with the Japan-U.S. partnership, both encouraging followers to register for updates.
USJF profiled NAJAS's work on this project earlier this year for the Grantee Profile series, which is available here.
JapanHands.org is available now at japanhands.org.