About the Tokyo Foundation
The Tokyo Foundation is dedicated to helping shape a better future for Japan. Through policy research and stakeholder engagement, we seek to address pressing social challenges and contribute to positive social change.
Since its establishment in 1997, the Foundation has worked to become a world-class independent policy think tank. As a private, nonprofit, and nonpartisan organization, we formulate policy proposals from a position of intellectual independence and pursue practical, evidence-based solutions grounded in rigorous research.
In April 2025, we embarked on a new chapter by adopting a new name, transitioning from the “Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research” to the simpler “Tokyo Foundation.” This change signifies more than just a nominal rebranding. Under Vision 2029: A Five-Year Plan for Renewal and a Return to Our Founding Principles, we are strengthening our commitment to policy research, accelerating efforts to turn ideas into action, and enhancing the cultivation of future leaders. We are renewing our efforts to shape Japan’s future by drawing on knowledge and expertise from around the world to generate real-world impact.
The Tokyo Foundation’s goal is not only to develop policy ideas but also to help put them into practice and foster meaningful transformation. We seek to identify the complex and often latent challenges in society, understand their underlying causes, and chart pathways toward the future.
Central among these challenges is the pressing need for Japan to confront the realities of a declining population and convert this demographic shift into opportunities for renewal. With this perspective in mind, the Foundation has organized its research around the following three pillars:
- Restoring Japan’s Dynamism
Japan’s declining population raises fundamental questions about the future of industry, employment, social welfare, and education. We explore how these systems can be optimized to restore dynamism to society. Our research examines the sustainable development of regional economies, the realization of diverse and flexible work arrangements, and reforms to tax and social security systems with the aim of identifying new frameworks to support Japanese society. - Promoting Sustainability
We seek growth strategies that maximize the use of limited resources to promote both environmental sustainability and economic prosperity. Our research activities address issues such as energy security, climate adaptation, urban planning, and infrastructure renewal. Guided by a long-term perspective, we strive to develop policy proposals that serve both present and future generations. - Engaging with the World
As Japan faces demographic and economic change, we examine how the country can remain actively engaged with the international community and continue to play a meaningful role on the global stage. We investigate how Japan can leverage its technology and human capital, adapt its approach to diplomacy and national security, and foster new models of international cooperation so that Japan may continue to contribute to global stability and prosperity.
The driving force behind social progress is human capital. Through an international fellowship program spanning 44 countries, support for Japanese-language education, and donations of books that promote understanding of Japan, the Foundation has long been engaged in nurturing globally minded leaders.
Knowledge alone does not change society; what is needed are leaders who can put ideas into action. To this end, we provide opportunities for younger generations to engage directly in the policymaking arena and gain practical experience.
An independent think tank is more than just a research institution. It has a responsibility to rigorously analyze social challenges, develop practical solutions, and map out pathways to implementation. We collaborate with policymakers, businesses, and civil society to foster tangible social change. To fulfill this mission, we combine data-driven analysis with strategic policy dialogue to strengthen the intellectual groundwork for Japan’s long-term development.
The Tokyo Foundation will continue to serve as a hub of knowledge for a new era—a base for developing practical solutions and strategies for action. In partnership with all who share our ideals and seek to be part of this dynamic movement to shape the future, we are committed to helping build a more prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive Japan and a better world.
The Tokyo Foundation will remain steadfastly engaged in generating ideas, fostering dialogue, and transforming knowledge into action.
