Stay ahead of the curve with Trend & 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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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