The Activities of the Japan Foundation

Dialogue: Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange
The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP)

The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP) was established in 1991 with the goal of fostering Japan-U.S. cooperation in tackling global issues. The center promotes dialogue and exchange between all facets of Japanese and U.S. society in order to create a solid partnership based on mutual understanding and joint Japan-U.S. contribution to the global community.

Abe Fellowship Program/Abe Fellows Global Forum

The Abe Fellowship Program is a research fellowship program operated jointly by the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership and the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) of the United States. In FY2019, a total of 14 researchers and journalists were awarded fellowships, and the Abe Fellows Global Forum on cybersecurity was held in San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

The Abe Fellows Global Forum held at the Hudson Institute (Washington, D.C.) on September 5, 2019

U.S.-Japan Public Intellectuals Network Program

Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President of Texas A&M University-San Antonio, participated in a program that invites leaders from diverse intellectual communities in the United States to create a network of intellectuals with their peers in Japan. Dr. Teniente-Matson conducted a dialogue with Dr. TAKAHASHI Yuko, President of Tsuda University, about women's participation and leadership in higher education. At Mie University, she delivered a lecture entitled "Career Design and Community Engagement in the Global Era" and exchanged opinions with students.

Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson lectures at Mie University on January 24, 2020.

Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) Program

The JOI Program is co-sponsored by the Japan Foundation and the Laurasian Institution, a U.S. non-profit organization. Aiming to deepen interest in and understanding of Japan at the grassroots level, the program dispatches coordinators to the U.S. Midwest and South. In FY2019, the program dispatched five coordinators (18th group). A total of 16 coordinators, including 11 continuing coordinators, conducted a wide range of activities introducing Japanese culture at local schools, libraries and other organizations.

The coordinator presents spring-themed origami (paper folding) and creates Mother's Day cards with carnations.

Grassroots Exchange Network-Japan (GEN-J) Program Inviting Regional Leaders

As part of the Grassroots Exchange Network-Japan (GEN-J) program, which aims to strengthen cooperation between Japanese companies and communities in the United States, 120 leaders from the Midwest and the South were invited to Japan, including a Secretary of State, assembly members, executives of investment promotion organizations and journalists. They stayed in Japan for about a week, participating in briefings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Japan Federation of Economic Organizations and JETRO in Tokyo, followed by visits to regional cities. They visited the production sites of Japanese companies and exchanged opinions with local business leaders. They also visited historical and cultural facilities and experienced tea ceremony and Japanese cuisine. The experience enabled them to deepen their understanding of not only business in Japan but also Japanese culture and society.

Visitors listen to an explanation during a company visit.