Trends & Trendsetters

Stay ahead of the curve with Trends & Trendsetters, a new blog series by USJF exploring key trends and best practices shaping the nonprofit sector in Japan and the U.S. Each article offers a deep dive into pressing challenges, real-world success stories, and actionable insights to drive meaningful impact. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, policymaker, or changemaker, discover expert perspectives that inform, inspire, and empower your work.

The views expressed are those of the author, David Slater, the Senior Writer at USJF, and do not necessarily represent the Foundation.

Staff Shortage

The People Problem: Why Japan’s Nonprofits Are Losing the Talent They Can’t Afford to Lose

Investigate the talent crisis faced by Japan's nonprofits, losing staff due to unclear governance and low pay, threatening their ability to serve a growing demand.

Digital Divide

The Human Cost of the Digital Divide: Japan and the U.S. Face Different Sides of the Same Crisis

Explore the digital divide crisis faced by nonprofits in Japan and the U.S., highlighting capacity challenges and innovative solutions to bridge the gap in digital transformation.

Advocacy

Advocacy Without Fear: Quiet Shifts in Nonprofit Voice

Delve into how Japanese and U.S. nonprofits adapt advocacy strategies to navigate political challenges, emphasizing relationships, research, and cultural context for impactful change.

Funding Crisis

On the Brink: How Local Nonprofits Are Fighting to Survive and Thrive Across Japan and the U.S.

Look into how nonprofits in Japan and the U.S. are navigating financial crises and fostering resilience through innovative strategies and community support.

Report on Japanese Philanthropy

Giving in Japan Today and Tomorrow | #3 What’s Next for Japanese Philanthropy?

In this final part of the series, look into the future of Japanese philanthropy as legal reforms, new foundations, and global partnerships drive innovation and growth in the social sector.

Volunteering & Internship

Free Labor or Energetic Inspiration? Rethinking Volunteer Power Across the Pacific

Explore how nonprofits in Japan and the U.S. can effectively engage volunteers and interns, transforming them into valuable contributors and future leaders in the sector.

Report on Japanese Philanthropy

Giving in Japan Today and Tomorrow | #2 Cracks in the Ice

Japan's philanthropy sector is evolving, with dormant accounts funding nonprofits, a surge in impact investing, and new collaborative approaches reshaping social impact strategies.

Corporate Sponsorship

Building Bridges: How Nonprofits in the U.S. and Japan Are Rethinking Corporate Sponsorship

Explore how U.S. and Japanese nonprofits navigate corporate sponsorships, balancing funding needs with mission integrity to enhance social impact and foster collaboration across borders.

Report on Japanese Philanthropy

Giving in Japan Today and Tomorrow | #1 Legal Status Isn’t Just a Technicality

In the United States, the process of applying for nonprofit status is well-known, widely used, and fairly efficient. Japan has no direct equivalent. Instead, charitable status is nested within a patchwork of legal categories, each with its own complex requirements.

Crowdfunding

The Rise of Targeted Crowdfunding: Lessons from Nonprofits in Japan and the U.S.

Crowdfunding has become a vital tool for nonprofits in both Japan and the United States, offering an alternative to traditional grants and donor networks. Yet, despite the shared enthusiasm for this fundraising method, the way campaigns are structured, regulated, and received by the public varies significantly between the two countries.

giving-in-japan-today-and-tomorrow-introduction

Report on Japanese Philanthropy

Giving in Japan Today and Tomorrow | Series Introduction

Despite cultural values of empathy, Japan’s nonprofit sector struggles to attract support. This blog launches a three-part series on Japan’s civil society, guided by a report from the Japan Fundraising Association (JFRA). We begin by examining its structure, challenges, and what makes its giving ecosystem uniquely complex.

Trends & Trendsetters

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