REFUGEE PATHWAYS TO JAPAN (4/8/2026)

On April 8, the International House of Japan and American Friends of the International House of Japan, in partnership with the Japan ICU Foundation and United States-Japan Foundation convened an invitation-only gathering focused on refugee education, talent pathways to Japan, and the catalytic role of philanthropy.

This convening is part of the roadmap to build the North America–Japan Philanthropy Alliance over the coming year—an initiative designed to strengthen sustained dialogue and collaboration among philanthropic leaders in Japan and North America. The gathering will bring together 50–75 senior leaders from business, finance, philanthropy, higher education, and civil society. Structured in three parts—systems, voices, and philanthropy—the program moves from policy design, to lived experience, to action.

Purpose
As Japan confronts demographic and workforce challenges, structured refugee education and mobility pathways offer meaningful opportunities for displaced individuals to study, work, and contribute to Japanese society. This convening will examine existing models, elevate participant voices, and identify how philanthropy can drive sustainable, long-term impact.

CULTURAL DIPLOMACY IN AN ERA OF GEOPOLITICAL UNCERTAINTY: LESSONS FROM THE OLYMPICS (2/26/2026)

The International House of Japan (IHJ) and the American Friends of the International House of Japan (AFIHJ) convened a virtual roundtable exploring the role of the Olympic Games as a platform for global cultural diplomacy at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.

Bringing together experts from diplomacy, sport, culture, soft power, and international exchange, the discussion examined how the Olympics can serve not only as a sporting event, but as a rare moment of shared global attention—capable of fostering dialogue, human connection, and mutual understanding across political and cultural divides. Participants reflected on both the opportunities and limitations of mega-events, offered insights on how soft power works, and underscoreD the need for intentional, values-driven engagement if such moments are to contribute meaningfully to peace and international cooperation.

This roundtable is part of the new IHJ–AFIHJ Cultural Diplomacy Series, a joint initiative designed to advance IHJ’s founding mission: strengthening international understanding, reducing conflict, and building trust through sustained cultural and intellectual exchange. In today’s fragmented international environment, this mission is more vital than ever, as civil society institutions increasingly complement official diplomacy by creating durable channels for dialogue. The roundtable WAS co-sponsored by the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) in Los Angeles, reflecting a shared commitment to deepening U.S.–Japan ties and highlighting the essential role of cultural institutions in shaping a more cooperative and humane global future and given that Los Angeles is the site of the 2028 Olympics.

INSIGHTS REPORT: The art of partnership: japan-canada-u.s. partnership through culture & diplomacy

Culture and art shape relationships in ways that policy and economics alone cannot. They create shared reference experiences, foster collaboration, and cross borders that might otherwise remain closed. Against this backdrop, H.E. Kanji Yamanouchi, Ambassador of Japan to Canada, convened The Art of Partnership, bringing together leaders from Canada and Japan to explore the role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening international cooperation. (October 23, 2025)