The foundation aims to create and disseminate information and ideas on themes that consistently challenge existing values and are at the forefront of discovery. Four themes -Maritime Asia; World City Tokyo; Nation Building, Moving beyond the Nation State; and Culture Entertainment Industry- form the motif of information exchange and dissemination activities. Individuals from various walks of life are engaged in the exchange of ideas and provided forums to present their views. Information and wisdom gained from these activities are also disseminated. A weekly open forum -The Tokyo Foundation's Toranomon DOJO- is an integral part of this effort.

　

As the world enters a new century after the end of the Cold War, the international order and global power relations are undergoing radical change. Some countries are struggling with laborious nation-building efforts, while others, like the members of the European Union (EU), are moving to transcend the conventional nation state by building communities or unions that still retain the traditional concept of the nation state as their foundation. The foundation's activities under this theme aim at deepening understanding of the urgent problems facing the international community and in promoting global harmony by freely examining the relevant issues to discover aspects that cannot be revealed through investigations based on traditional conceptual frameworks - such as religion, ethnicity, and environment - that are associated with the nation state.

　

This program deals with religion in terms of sets of values that support cultures and ideologies around the world, considers Japan's unique values from a historical perspective, and produces and broadcasts television programs to help the Japanese people gain a multifaceted understanding of different societies.

　

In an effort to indicate the optimal direction for efforts to build a new Japan, the foundation holds symposia at which participants reevaluate Japan's regional cultures in the light of Japanese civilization, the spirit that has formed the historical background supporting Japanese civilization, and the histories and cultures of Japan's various regions.

　

The foundation convenes "New Paradigms" Discovery Classes - The Kusaka School - in an effort to identify ways of solving various problems rooted in contemporary society without being restricted by conventional concepts. These classes constitute an effort to brain-storm new paradigms that can serve as bases for the revitalization of Japanese society.

　

Popular Japanese culture as represented by manga (comic books) and anime (animated cartoons) is an expression of creativity and originality that excites people across the world. Japanese manga portray aesthetic sensibilities, passions, personal spirit, and other human strengths in a manner that cannot be conveyed by written words alone. Examples of the various events and projects that the foundation has initiated to examine the appeal of these unique Japanese manga and anime are the following.

　

The foundation produces and broadcasts a television documentary series, Japan and the Sea, that considers the ideal future direction for Japan as an island nation and for the Japanese people, and to consider the meaning of the spirit of independence. This series reexamines the relationship between the sea and Japan from a multifaceted and historical perspective - within the context of thousands of years of Asian history - by presenting research regarding Asia's cultural, economic, and ethnic development, which has largely been centered around the sea.

　

This topic focuses on how to further develop Tokyo into an international city where pioneering ideas and new information are created and then shared with the rest of the world.

　

Initiated in October 2001, The Tokyo Foundation's Toranomon DOJO is intended to provide a venue for in-depth study and sharing of ideas regarding diverse social, economic, political, and educational issues in Japan and overseas as well as the foundation's key areas of interest: transportation, maritime affairs, and the environment. This forum is also an opportunity for the discovery of talented but unknown individuals, and for the dissemination of visionary ideas and the most recent information in various fields. Toranomon DOJO attendees encounter cutting-edge ideas; meet far-sighted, interesting, charismatic individuals; and have an opportunity to refine their own ideas through open discussions with the lecturers and others.

Recent discussions have focused on "Thinking about Japan" and have dealt with various sub-themes, such as "Nation Building, Moving beyond the Nation State." The foundation invites lecturers to give presentations on timely topics at the Toranomon DOJO every Tuesday.

　

BOARD MEMBERS (AS of November 1, 2002)

KIMINDO KUSAKA

　

NAOMICHI KAMEZAWA

General Affairs Division

　

TADAMASA FUKIURA

Research Division

　

ELLEN E. MASHIKO

Scholarship Division

　

GLEN S. FUKUSHIMA

President and CEO, Cadence Design Systems, Japan

　

HIROTARO HIGUCHI

Honorary Chairman, Asahi Breweries, Ltd.

　

TSUGUO IYAMA

President, Japan Motor Terminal Co., Ltd.

　

TAKU KAJIWARA

Governor, Gifu Prefecture

　

KIYOSHI NAKACHI

President, Japan Motorboat Racing Association

　

YAEKO SAGAWA

President, Sakura Golf Co., Ltd.

　

SHOTARO SEKI

Vice President, Waseda University

　

SACHIO SENMOTO

Chairman and CEO, eAccess Ltd.

　

YOZO YOKOTA

Professor of Law, Chuo University

　

MASUMI MIYAJI

President, Federation of Prefectural Associations of Motorboat Racing

　

TOKUGORO MURAYAMA

CPA, Professor, Tohoku University of Community Service and Science

　

TAMOTSU AOKI

Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies

　

TAKASHI HAMADA

Chairman, The Japan Science Society

　

DAISABURO HASHIZUME

Professor of Sociology, Tokyo Institute of Technology

　

SHUNTARO ITO

Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo

　

AKIRA KOISHIHARA

Chairman, Chisei Communications

　

KAZUO NODA

Honorary President, Miyagi University and Tama University

　

EIKO OHYA

Journalist

　

YUKIO OKAMOTO

President, Okamoto Associates Inc.

　

SETSUKO SAKAKIBARA

President, Albero Sacro Limited

　

TAKASHI SHIRAISHI

Professor, The Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University

　

MANABU SURUGA

Comedian

　

TADASHI YAMAMOTO

President, Japan Center for International Exchange

　

YOHEI SASAKAWA

President, The Nippon Foundation

　

　

〒107-0052

東京都港区赤坂1-2-2

日本財団ビル3階

　

The Nippon foundation Bldg.

3rd Floor

1-2-2 Akasaka

Minato-ku, Tokyo

107-0052 Japan