USJF Research

The USJF Research series brings together research commissioned or supported by the United States-Japan Foundation in pursuit of new ideas, evidence, and perspectives on the forces shaping U.S.-Japan relations. These papers—authored by leading scholars and practitioners—are shared to stimulate exchange and invite reflection.

In collaboration with grantees, the USJLP network, and partners, each paper is presented here as part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and open knowledge.

The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the Foundation.

What lessons can be learned from Japan’s critical minerals strategy?

2026
Author: Eiki Tagami & Mireya Solís

This commentary examines Japan’s strategic evolution in securing critical mineral and rare earth supply chains amidst increasing geopolitical competition. It analyzes Japan’s historical successes in reducing dependencies and identifies structural challenges within the semiconductor and battery metal sectors. The piece highlights the necessity of coordinated international policy frameworks, including price floors and purchase guarantees, to align national security objectives with private sector market realities.

Supported through USJF’s grant to The Brookings Institution for the project, "The Rise of Economic Security: Implications for U.S.-Japan Relations.”

Room for Reform: The Legal Framework for Nonprofit Organizations in Japan

2026
Authors: Yoshiharu Shiraishi & International Center for Not-for-Profit Law

This white paper examines Japan’s legal and institutional framework governing nonprofit organizations, focusing on emerging challenges and needed reforms. It highlights systemic issues across nonprofit legal forms, analyzes their impact on effectiveness and sustainability, and presents recommendations to ensure the framework can adapt to the increasing complexity, diversity, and dynamism of civil society. An overview of legal entities is included in the annex.

Supported through USJF’s grant to ICNL for the project, "Promoting Philanthropy and Civic Space through U.S.-Japan Exchange."

Leveraging Lessons from Japan: Improving US Housing Outcomes

2026
Author: Indivar Dutta-Gupta

Leveraging Lessons from Japan: Improving US Housing Outcomes examines Japan as evidence that high-cost, high-density economies can achieve strong housing affordability and low homelessness while relying largely on private housing and robust tenant protections. Contrasting U.S. housing and homelessness with Japan’s outcomes, the paper highlights zoning, housing supply institutions, and income supports, translating these features into actionable lessons for US policymakers.

America’s Foreign Aid Retrenchment: Implications for US-Japan Cooperation

2025
Authors: James Gannon & Michael Schiffer

The shift in US foreign aid policy that began in early 2025 has put millions of people’s lives and livelihoods at risk and destabilized the global development assistance system. It also carries wide-ranging implications for Japanese interests and for the future of U.S.-Japan
development cooperation.

Japan: the Indispensable Ally, Except in U.S. Academia...

2025
Author: Adam P. Liff

Despite bipartisan recognition in Washington that Japan is America’s “indispensable ally” in confronting complex global challenges, faculty expertise and courses on U.S.-Japan relations and Japanese foreign/security policy at major American universities are on the verge of generational collapse. This report calls for urgent action—especially external funding—to sustain America’s pipeline of related Japan expertise and opportunities for future generations of students.

USJF Research

Room for Reform: The Legal Framework for Nonprofit Organizations in Japan

America’s Foreign Aid Retrenchment: Implications for US-Japan Cooperation

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