U.S. - Japan Council

Name

U.S. - Japan Council

Legal name

U.S.-Japan Council

Website

https://usjapancouncil.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Leadership Development and International Relations

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Multilateral Diplomacy & International Representation (UN, Regional Bodies) (BPAIAIAC)

Keywords

• Leadership development programs
• International relations convening
• Cultural exchange programs
• Educational scholarship programs
• Nonprofit membership services

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: The council receives support from corporate sponsors at various contribution levels including Diamond, Platinum, Sapphire, Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers. Sponsors include major Japanese and American companies such as Toyota, Amazon, EY, Google Japan, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, and many others.
2. Individual Donations: Individual contributions at various levels from $25 to $2,500 or more, with options for one-time or recurring (annual/bi-annual) payments. Donors can direct contributions to General Donation, MAP Endowment, or TOMODACHI Initiative.
3. Membership Contributions: Annual membership contributions from individuals who join as members of the council. The organization has a vibrant community of 1,200 members across the United States and Japan.
4. Planned Giving / Legacy Gifts: Bequests, trust transfers, gifts of retirement assets, life insurance, endowments, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, and charitable lead trusts through the Irene Hirano and Daniel K. Inouye Legacy Society.
5. Foundation Grants: Support from foundations including The BlackRock Foundation and other philanthropic organizations that share the goal of strengthening U.S.-Japan relations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The U.S.-Japan Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that strengthens U.S.-Japan relations by building a community of leaders across cultures, sectors, and generations. It delivers leadership development programs (Emerging Leaders Program, Advanced Leaders Collective), educational and scholarship initiatives (TOMODACHI Initiative, Watanabe Scholarship, Mineta Ambassadors Program, Japanese American Storytelling Program), delegation and convening programs (Annual Conferences, Economic Summits, JALD, U40 Summit), and issue-focused initiatives (Women's Leadership Initiative, Climate & Sustainability Leadership Initiative, Silicon Valley Japan Platform). Membership, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and individual donations fund its operations.

Product overview

The U.S.-Japan Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, DC, with a sister organization in Tokyo, Japan. The organization operates as a programs-and-services platform rather than a technology product company. Its core offerings include leadership development programs (Emerging Leaders Program, Advanced Leaders Collective), educational initiatives (TOMODACHI Initiative, Mineta Ambassadors Program, Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Scholarship, Japanese American Storytelling Program), delegation programs (Japanese American Leadership Delegation, Young Professionals Leadership Delegation), and issue-focused initiatives (Women's Leadership Initiative, Climate & Sustainability Leadership Initiative, Silicon Valley Japan Platform, Business Advisory Board). The organization also convenes annual conferences, economic summits, and U40 summits. The U.S.-Japan Leadership Institute serves as the umbrella entity for building a leadership pipeline across sectors and generations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TOMODACHI Initiative A public-private partnership between USJC and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, with support from the Government of Japan, that invests in the next generation of Japanese and American leaders through educational and cultural exchanges and leadership programs. Targets young leaders in the United States and Japan.
• Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Scholarship Program Provides financial assistance to Japanese and American undergraduate and graduate students for a semester or year-long study abroad in either the United States or Japan. Funded by a $10 million endowment from Mr. Toshizo (Tom) Watanabe. Alumni join the TOMODACHI Generation network.
• Mineta Ambassadors Program (MAP) An educational endowment administered by USJC that provides grants (up to $100,000 per institution) to develop or expand student exchange programs between the United States and Japan for high school and college students who might not otherwise have such opportunities. Named in honor of the late Honorable Norman Y. Mineta.
• Japanese American Storytelling Program (JASP) A program where USJC members deliver storytelling presentations to university students in Japan to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations and nurture global perspectives. Speakers include Nikkei Sansei, Yonsei, Gosei, Shin Issei, Shin Nisei, Bi-Racial/Multi-Ethnic Nikkei, and Japanese nationals. Delivered 58 storytelling presentations to over 1,550 students in the 2024 academic year.
• Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) A next-generation leadership development program that develops and connects Japanese American and other diverse leaders committed to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations.
• Advanced Leaders Collective (ALC) An advanced leadership program for established professionals seeking deeper engagement in U.S.-Japan relations and leadership development.
• Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD) A program that brings Japanese American leaders to Japan for cultural exchange and relationship building with Japanese counterparts.
• Young Professionals Leadership Delegation A delegation program for young professionals to strengthen ties between the United States and Japan.
• Women's Leadership Initiative An initiative focused on developing and empowering women leaders in the U.S.-Japan relationship.
• Climate & Sustainability Leadership Initiative (CSLI) An initiative addressing key bilateral issues related to climate and sustainability between the United States and Japan.
• Silicon Valley Japan Platform (SVJP) A platform connecting Silicon Valley and Japan to foster business relationships and technological collaboration between the two regions.
• USJC Annual Conference A signature annual convening bringing together leaders from the United States and Japan to address bilateral issues across business, government, and civil society.
• Economic Summits Regional convenings (e.g., Japan-Texas Economic Summit) bringing together business and policy leaders from both countries to address bilateral economic issues.
• U40 Summit A signature convening designed to engage the next generation of leaders under 40 from the United States and Japan in bilateral relations.
• U.S.-Japan Council Membership Program Annual membership program offering 1,200 members across the United States and Japan opportunities to engage with USJC through affinity groups, leadership programs, signature convenings, and direct participation in bilateral relations activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,200 members across the United States and Japan
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• U.S. Embassy in TokyoflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011TOMODACHI Initiative is a public-private partnership between the U.S.-Japan Council and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, with support from the Government of Japan. Born out of support for Japan's recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, TOMODACHI invests in the next generation of Japanese and American leaders through educational and cultural exchanges as well as leadership programs.
• Government of JapanflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011The Government of Japan provides support for the TOMODACHI Initiative, a public-private partnership that invests in educational and cultural exchanges and leadership programs for young people to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations.
• ToyotacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor at various levels supporting the U.S.-Japan Council's mission to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations through people-to-people connections.
• AmazoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting the U.S.-Japan Council's programs and initiatives.
• Mitsubishi UFJ Financial GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor and Mineta Ambassadors Program sponsor supporting student exchange programs between the U.S. and Japan.
• EY (Ernst & Young)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor at Sapphire level supporting the council's mission and initiatives.
• Google JapancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor at Sapphire level supporting U.S.-Japan Council programs.
• Bain & CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond level corporate sponsor supporting the council's initiatives.
• The BlackRock FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTop sponsor for the Mineta Ambassadors Program supporting student exchanges between the U.S. and Japan.
• Toshizo Watanabe FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTop sponsor for the Mineta Ambassadors Program and supporter of the Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Scholarship.
• ApplecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTop sponsor for the Mineta Ambassadors Program supporting student exchange initiatives.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Japan Society (New York): Premier U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to deepening U.S.-Japan relations through cultural, educational, and policy programming. Directly comparable as a membership-driven bilateral organization with leadership programs, corporate sponsorship, and a Washington/NYC presence.
• National Association of Japan-America Societies: U.S.-based umbrella network of 30+ Japan-America societies that coordinates bilateral exchange, leadership delegations, and grassroots people-to-people programs. Highly comparable in mission, constituency (Japanese Americans and Japan-interested Americans), and programmatic model to USJC.
• American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ): Bilateral business association connecting U.S. companies operating in Japan and Japanese firms with U.S. interests. Comparable in mission (strengthening U.S.-Japan commercial ties), revenue model (corporate membership tiers), and convening role to USJC.

Others

• Japan Foundation:

Broad incumbents

• Asia Society: Much larger and older institution focused broadly on Asia-Pacific, with a policy institute, performing arts, and education. Operates with a similar membership/convening model but on a broader geographic and thematic mandate than USJC's U.S.-Japan specialization.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/usjc
• Facebookfacebook.com/usjapancouncil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1608667

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about U.S. - Japan Council