The Japan Foundation, New York

What The Japan Foundation, New York does

The Japan Foundation, New York (JFNY) is the eastern U.S. representative office of The Japan Foundation, a Japanese government-affiliated cultural exchange institution headquartered in Tokyo and established in 1972. JFNY itself was established in 1996 and operates from New York, distributing grants and running cultural programs across 37 states east of the Rocky Mountains plus Washington D.C. (the 13 western states are served by the sibling office in Los Angeles). The organization's core function is funding and facilitating bilateral cultural exchange between Japan and the United States, addressing limited access to Japanese cultural programming in the U.S., funding gaps for cultural-exchange organizations, and capacity-building needs among Japan-focused nonprofits.

JFNY's product portfolio spans grant programs, direct digital platforms, and fellowship initiatives. Grant programs include the JFNY Grant for Arts & Culture (up to $5,000), JFNY Grant for Japanese Studies (up to $5,000), the Japan America Society Capacity Building Grant (up to $30,000), and the Grant for U.S.-Japan Community Grassroots Exchange (up to $30,000). Digital products include JFF Theater, a free global streaming platform for Japanese films with multilingual subtitles launched in August 2024, and the JF USA Digital Library, which offers 1,800+ free titles via the Libby app in genres spanning manga, literature, Japanese-language learning, art, history, culture, and cooking. Fellowship and intellectual-exchange programs include the JFIPP Research Fellowship, the U.S.-Japan Network for the Future (with the Mansfield Foundation), the SSRC-JFNY Japan Global Workshop, NEXUS (with the German Marshall Fund), and the Bookmark_JF literary platform.

JFNY's business model is that of a non-profit cultural-exchange institution: it does not sell products or services for revenue in the conventional sense, but rather distributes programmatic funding received from its parent organization. Outreach to applicants and audiences occurs through direct programming (events, streaming, digital library), monthly email newsletters, social media, webinar/info sessions, and partner networks including U.S. universities, Japan America Societies, and policy think tanks such as Brookings. Pricing — to the extent the term applies — takes the form of grant caps and program eligibility criteria rather than commercial fees, with applicants required to secure a minimum 20% of project budget from non-JF sources. The organization employs approximately 29 people and operates under a recently transitioned leadership team led by Director General Hiroyuki Kojima.

Name

The Japan Foundation, New York

Legal name

The Japan Foundation, New York

Website

https://ny.jpf.go.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Japan Foundation, New York is a non-profit cultural exchange office distributing grants, fellowships, and digital content (JFF Theater, USA Digital Library) to U.S. nonprofits, universities, and Japan America Societies across 37 eastern states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Exchange Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Publishing Industries (513)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Cultural/Educational Broadcasters (MPABAEAF), International Student Funding & Mobility Grants Administration (EDADAHAL)

Keywords

• Cultural exchange programs
• International arts grants
• Japanese film streaming
• Digital library services
• Academic fellowship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Others, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Cultural Exchange Funding: The Japan Foundation is Japan's only institution dedicated to comprehensive international cultural exchange programs, established in 1972. JFNY operates as the New York office, distributing grant funding to U.S. organizations for cultural exchange activities between Japan and the United States.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Japan Foundation, New York operates as the eastern U.S. office of Japan's official international cultural exchange institution, distributing grant funding (up to $30,000 per grant) to U.S. nonprofit organizations, Japan America Societies, and educational institutions for Japanese arts, culture, and Japanese Studies programming. The organization also operates the JFF Theater global streaming platform (launched August 2024) distributing Japanese films with multilingual subtitles free of charge, and the USA Digital Library offering over 1,800 free titles via the Libby app.

Product overview

The Japan Foundation, New York operates as a cultural exchange organization offering a portfolio of grant programs, digital platforms, and fellowship initiatives. Key products include JFF Theater (streaming platform for Japanese films), the JF USA Digital Library (digital library with 1,800+ titles), various grant programs for arts & culture and Japanese studies, capacity building grants for Japan America Societies, fellowship programs like JFIPP Research Fellowship and U.S.-Japan Network for the Future, academic workshops including SSRC-JFNY Japan Global Workshop, and Bookmark_JF for literary exchange.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• JFF Theater: A streaming website that distributes Japanese films and other works worldwide with multilingual subtitles, free of charge.
• JF USA Digital Library

Products and services

• JFF Theater A free global streaming platform that distributes Japanese films and audiovisual works worldwide with multilingual subtitles, designed to be accessible anytime, anywhere. It targets global audiences interested in Japanese cinema and audiovisual content.
• JF USA Digital Library A digital library offering over 1,800 free titles in genres including manga, literature, Japanese language materials, art, history, culture, society, and cooking & food, accessible through the Libby app. Targets U.S. library patrons seeking Japanese-language and English-translated content.
• JFNY Grant for Arts & Culture Grant program supporting U.S.-based non-profit organizations (501(c)(3)) for projects that further understanding of Japanese arts and culture, with funding up to $5,000 (average $2,000) for projects across 37 eastern states plus D.C. Rolling applications accepted 3 months prior to project start for in-person events, 1 month for online.
• JFNY Grant for Japanese Studies Grant program supporting academic projects that enhance understanding of Japan through conferences, colloquia, symposia, presentations, and lectures within the United States, with funding up to $5,000. Rolling applications with 1-3 month lead time depending on project type.
• Japan America Society / Japan Society Capacity Building Grant Program Capacity building grant supporting Japan America Societies and Japan Societies with 501(c)(3) status, providing up to $30,000 for organizational sustainability and growth projects. Grant period up to 12 months, with up to 10% indirect costs covered.
• Grant for U.S.-Japan Community Grassroots Exchange Program Grant program supporting creation and expansion of Japan-themed programming for local communities, with awards up to $30,000 and minimum 10 required events over up to 12 months. Includes indirect costs up to 10% and requires minimum 20% non-JF funding.
• Japan Foundation Indo-Pacific Partnership (JFIPP) Research Fellowship Multi-country research fellowship addressing current and future issues facing the Indo-Pacific region, designed for researchers from Japan, Australia, India, and the United States. Supports policy-relevant research with comparative or transnational perspective.
• U.S.-Japan Network for the Future Two-year leadership initiative identifying and nurturing public policy intellectuals who bring diverse expertise to the U.S.-Japan bilateral policy-making process, conducted in collaboration with the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation. Includes media training, mentorship, and networking with government officials and thought leaders.
• SSRC-JFNY Japan Global Workshop Annual workshop series supporting policy-relevant research on Japan with comparative or transnational perspectives, held in Claremont, California for North America-based researchers within 10 years of their last degree. Conducted in collaboration with the Social Science Research Council.
• Bookmark_JF Online literary platform dedicated to connecting readers, authors, translators, and publishers to foster deeper understanding of Japan through literary works in translation. Features event reports, interviews, and essays on translated Japanese literary works.

Quantifiable outcome

• JEC Fund Grants have supported approximately 4,500 projects since 1971 with total disbursements of approximately 19.1 billion yen
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.

• Maureen and Mike Mansfield FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the 'U.S.-Japan Network for the Future' program, identifying and nurturing U.S. and Japan-based public policy intellectuals for the bilateral policy-making process. Over 2-year program cycles providing media training, mentorship, and networking with government officials and thought leaders.
• Social Science Research Council (SSRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint SSRC-JFNY Japan Global Workshop program supporting policy-relevant research with comparative or transnational perspective on Japan. Annual workshops held in Claremont, California for North America-based researchers within 10 years of their last degree.
• Brookings Institution - Center for Asia Policy StudiesmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Mireya Solís, Director of Brookings Center for Asia Policy Studies, received Japan Foundation partial funding for research that inspired her book 'Japan's Quiet Leadership: Reshaping the Indo-Pacific.' She is an inaugural JFIPP Research Fellowship Fellow.
• The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles (JFLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated organization under the Japan Foundation umbrella. JFLA provides comprehensive assistance for Japanese-language education in the U.S., including grants, special programs, advocacy, job opportunities, resources, and E-learning. JFNY refers Japanese-language education inquiries to JFLA.
• Libby App (OverDrive)moderateTechnology or IntegrationDigital library platform integration for USA Digital Library offering over 1,800 free titles in manga, literature, Japanese language, art, history, culture, society, cooking & food.
• German Marshall Fund (GMF)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEXUS: Next Generation Security Exchange program designed to train emerging security experts from Japan, U.S., and Europe. Includes expert-led webinars and in-person training in Washington, DC. 10 Master's and PhD students selected. Japan Foundation provides funding.
• Claremont Colleges (Claremont McKenna, Pomona)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable Futures project through Japan-U.S. Global Partnership grant addressing globalization and sustainability through three research clusters: Rural Futures, Livability for Elderly, and Smart Cities. Producing publications on Japan-U.S. comparative research.
• Consulate General of Japan in BostonmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of Yokai Parade: Supernatural Monsters from Japan exhibition at Central Connecticut State University alongside Burritt Library and World Languages department.
• Table For TwominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization implementing Wa-Sho Seeds program bringing Japanese food education and cooking curriculum to U.S. communities. Previously supported through Salary Assistance Grant.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@JapaneseFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/japan-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Japan Foundation, New York