For more than three decades, JCIE has been promoting the development of a vibrant civil society in Japan, Asia Pacific, and around the world by creating collaborative networks of civil society organizations worldwide, encouraging cooperation on common challenges, legal and regulatory framework for the nonprofit sector and promoting philanthropy. As part of this effort, JCIE carries out research and dialogue projects designed to contribute to an enhanced role for civil society organizations in the governance of society. (Also visit the CivilNet section for more information about JCIE's efforts in this arena.)

Recent Projects

• Strengthening Nongovernmental Contributions to Regional Security Cooperation (2009–present)
• International Relations at the Local Level in Japan: Exploring Kyushu's International Strategy (2007)
• The Role of Philanthropy in Postwar U.S.-Japan Relations (2002-2006)
• The Civil Society Sector and NGO Activities in Asia and Europe—International Survey Project (2002-2003)
• Transformation of Japanese Communities and the Emerging Local Agenda (2000-2003)
• Transnational Civil Society and International Governance (1998-2001)
• Guidance for Governance: Comparing Alternative Sources of Public Policy Advice (1999-2001)
• International Comparative Study on Governance and Civil Society (1998-2001)
• Corporate-NGO Partnership Project (1997-1999)
• Governance and Civil Society in Japan (1997-1999)
• The Nongovernmental Underpinnings of the Emerging Asia Pacific Regional Community (1993-1994)

Reports and Research Online

• "G8 Mobilization Reflects Progress of Japan’s NGOs," Civil Society Monitor, November, 2008 [pdf 152kb]
• Exploring Kyushu's External Relations and its Asian Strategy, JCIE, 2007 [pdf 348kb]
• "Breaking New Ground for NGO Advocacy in Japan," Civil Society Monitor, August, 2007 [pdf 280kb]
• "Japanese International Development NGO's Reach Critical Stage," Civil Society Monitor, April, 2005 [pdf 178kb]
• "Tsunami Response Showcases NGO Progress and Challenges," Civil Society Monitor, April, 2005 [pdf 178kb]
• "New Fundraising Initiatives Seek to Bolster Growth of Nonprofit Sector," Civil Society Monitor, June, 2004 [pdf 156kb]
• "Weak Funding Environment Sparks Local-Level Effots to Support NPO's," Civil Society Monitor, June, 2004 [pdf 156kb]
• "Breaking the State Monopoly on Public Affairs," Hideki Kato in Governance for a New Century: Japanese Challenges, American Experience, 2003 [pdf 156kb]
• "Think Tanks in a Changing Regional Environment," Nakamura Madoka in Japan's Road to Pluralism: Transforming Local Communities in the Global Era, 2003 [pdf 943kb]
• "Emergence of Japan's Civil Society and its Future Challenges," Tadashi Yamamoto in Deciding the Public Good: Governance and Civil Society in Japan, 1999 [pdf 228kb]
• "Japan's Civil Society An Historical Overview," Makoto Iokibe in Deciding the Public Good: Governance and Civil Society in Japan, 1999 [pdf 243kb]

• "Japan's Nonprofits Prepare for a New Legal System," Civil Society Monitor, August, 2007 [pdf 280kb]
• "Nonprofit Sector Reform - A Step Forward?," Civil Society Monitor, April, 2005 [pdf 259kb]
• "The Emergence of NPOs and the Implications for Local Governance," Shigeru Tamura in Japan's Road to Pluralism: Transforming Local Communities in the Global Era, 2003 [pdf 261kb]
• "New Legal Reform Efforts Receive Mixed Welcome," Civil Society Monitor, December, 2003 [pdf 87kb]

Unofficial Translations of Basic Laws Governing Non-profits in Japan

Amended Law to Promote Specified Nonprofit Activities | pdf [pdf 144k] (amended "NPO Law" indicating revisions made as of April 9, 2003)

Outline of the 2003 Revision of the Special Tax Measures Law | [pdf 20k] (approved December 2002)

• "Slump in Corporate Giving Continues," Civil Society Monitor, August, 2007 [pdf 280kb]
• "A New Era in Corporate Philanthropy," Civil Society Monitor, August, 2007 [pdf 280kb]
• "The Role of Philanthropy in Postwar US-Japan Relations, 1945-1975: An Overview," Tadashi Yamamoto in Philanthropy and Reconciliation: Rebuilding Postwar US-Japan Relations, 2006 [pdf 379kb]
• "The Evolving Role of American Foundations in Japan: An Institutional Perspective," Kimberly Gould Ashizawa in Philanthropy and Reconciliation: Rebuilding Postwar US-Japan Relations, 2006 [pdf 615kb]
• "Weak Giving Hampers Work of Japan's AIDS Groups," Civil Society Monitor, October, 2005 [pdf 178kb]
• "Interim Report on Public Interest Corporation Reforms Stirs Further Debate," Civil Society Monitor, June, 2004 [pdf 156kb]

• "US-Japan Intellectual Exchange: The Relationship between Government and Private Foundations ," Makoto Iokibe in Philanthropy and Reconciliation: Rebuilding Postwar US-Japan Relations, 2006 [pdf 692kb]
• "Japan's Nonprofit Sector Fights AIDS," Civil Society Monitor, October 2005 [pdf 178kb]
• "Corporate-NGO Partnerships: Learning from Case Studies," Tadashi Yamamoto in Corporate-NGO Partnership in Asia-Pacific, 1999 [pdf 190kb]
• "Levi Strauss Donor Advised Fund in Japan," Hideko Katsumata and Susan Hubbard in Corporate-NGO Partnership in Asia-Pacific, 1999 [pdf 146kb]

Search JCIE Research

• Search all of JCIE's available online research in .pdf format by keywords.

Publications

• Philanthropy and Reconciliation: Rebuilding Postwar US-Japan Relations, Yamamoto Tadashi, Iriye Akira, and Iokibe Makoto, editors, 2006
• Japan's Road to Pluralism: Transforming Local Communities in the Global Era, Shun'ichi Furukawa and Toshihiro Menju, editors, 2003
• The Third Force: The Rise of Transnational Civil Society, Ann M. Florini, editor, 2000
• Corporate-NGO Partnership in Asia-Pacific, Tadashi Yamamoto and Kim Gould Ashizawa, editors, 1999
• Deciding the Public Good: Governance and Civil Society in Japan, Tadashi Yamamoto, editor, 1999
• Governance and Civil Society in a Global Age, Tadashi Yamamoto and Kim Gould Ashizawa, editors, 1998
• Emerging Civil Society in the Asia Pacific Community: Nongovernmental Underpinnings of the Emerging Asia Pacific Community, Tadashi Yamamoto et al., 1995
• The Survey Reports on Regional Exchange Activities between Japan and the United States, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, 1994

Related Activities/Resources

• CivilNet
  JCIE's program devoted to promoting the development of the nonprofit sector and philanthropy in Japan.
• Civil Society Monitor
  A newsletter providing information in English on the current situation and developing trends in Japan's nonprofit sector.
• GrassNet
  Archives of an e-magazine reporting on trends and developments in the field of grassroots international exchange and cooperation activities.