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 US. 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.
Study Report
Giving in Japan Today and Tomorrow | Series Introduction
Japan is often described as a country where empathy and collective well-being are deeply held values. Yet when it comes to charitable giving and nonprofit activity, the numbers have long told a different story.
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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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Study Report
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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