catalyzing A North America-Japan Philanthropy Alliance
North America-Japan philanthropy alliance: an overview
The American Friends of the International House of Japan (AFIHJ), in partnership with the International House of Japan (IHJ), is currently in the initial planning and design phase of establishing the North America-Japan Philanthropy Alliance, an initiative intended to foster sustained cross-border collaboration among philanthropic leaders. The initiative is being conducted in partnership with and with core funding from the United States-Japan Foundation, as well as with additional support and cooperation from the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund.
The Alliance seeks to address a critical gap in high-trust engagement among foundations and philanthropic institutions in Japan, the United States, and Canada by creating a structured platform for dialogue, collaboration, and professional learning.
Through a combination of virtual roundtables, peer working groups, and a proposed fellows program, the initiative aims to strengthen U.S.-Japan cooperation and lay the groundwork for scalable, long-term approaches to complex social challenges shared by both societies.
SUPPORTED BY:
SENIOR FELLOWS (Apply NOW):
The American Friends of the International House of Japan is launching a Senior Fellows program as part of its North America–Japan Philanthropy Alliance in partnership with the International House of Japan and the United States-Japan Foundation. The program will bring together a small cohort of experienced philanthropy leaders to contribute thought leadership and help shape the Alliance’s early direction. It will also provide a platform for Fellows to exchange ideas and share insights with a wider audience.
Our Senior Fellows will have rich experience and background in private philanthropy, corporate philanthropy, family philanthropy, or related leadership and will serve as thought partners in the development of the new North America-Japan Philanthropy Alliance. Fellows will participate in occasional virtual meetings, contribute ideas on program priorities and opportunities, author short thought pieces on philanthropy in a North America–Japan context, and may moderate or participate in select virtual events. Fellowships are non-resident, time-limited, and include a modest stipend.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
April 8, 2026
Tokyo, Japan
Invitation Only
REFUGEE PATHWAYS TO JAPAN
Overview
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, will convene a private, 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.
RECENT EVENTS:
PHILANTHROPY CONVENING IN TOKYO:
January 28, 2026: The Japan Foundation 国際交流基金 hosted a convening at their Headquarters in Tokyo on the topic of "The Role of Philanthropy in U.S.-Japan Relations: John D. Rockefeller 3rd as an Example" as a way to introduce the concept of the North America-Japan Philanthropy Alliance and seek feedback.
With generous support from Ayumi Takita and her colleagues at Japan Foundation Tokyo as well as colleagues from the Toyota Foundation, the event was a tremendous success. The presentation was based on much research conducted by Kim Gould Ashizawa on John D. Rockefeller 3rd that will be published later this year.
