2025 Global Philanthropy Environment Index - Japan: Readout on the Future of Philanthropy

The American Friends of the International House of Japan, the International House of Japan, the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, the United States-Japan Foundation, and the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative at the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at IU joined forces for a dynamic discussion on the future of philanthropy in Japan and the U.S. that also highlighted data from The Global Philanthropy Environment Index 2025.

This webinar introduced the Global Philanthropy Environment Index (GPEI) before sharing global and regional highlights from the 2025 GPEI report, with a particular focus on the state of philanthropy in Japan. Philanthropy leaders and practitioners from Japan then engaged in a wide-ranging discussion on key themes coming out of the 2025 GPEI Japan country report and philanthropy in Japan, the U.S. and between both countries. The session raised awareness about the current state of philanthropy in Japan and fostered dialogue to enhance the future of philanthropy in Japan and US-Japan relations.

Speakers included:

·      Afshan Paarlberg - 2025 Director, Global Philanthropy Indices, IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

·      Miyoko Demay – Executive Representative for Japan, World Monuments Fund and Outside Board of Director, Nintendo Co. Ltd.

·      Daisuke Kan – President of Cheerio Corporation Ltd. 

·      Dr. Sheila A. Smith - John E. Merow Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Studies, Council on Foreign Relations

·      Jacob M. Schlesinger – President & CEO, United States-Japan Foundation 

Moderator: Dr. David Janes, Vice President, North America, International House of Japan, Executive Director of the American Friends of the International House of Japan, and 2025 GPEI Regional Reviewer for East Asia