The Nippon Foundation
The Nippon Foundation is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1962.It is committed to philanthropic activities in both the domestic and international realms, primarily focusing on the alleviation of human suffering, the advancement of general well-being, and the promotion of world peace. Its activities transcend the boundaries of politics, ideology, religion and race.
Funding is derived from the Japanese motorboat racing industry, which by law must contribute 3.3 percent of its revenues to the Foundation, making it one of the best funded organizations of its type in the world. In 1999, funds disbursed for philanthropic projects amounted to approximately 40.8 billion yen ($371 million) and 6.2 billion yen ($56 million) of this was used for overseas assistance.
With this funding, internationally focused projects cover a broad sphere of activity: the improvement of basic human needs, the development of human resources, and the promotion of international collaboration being only a few examples. More specifically, some of The Nippon Foundation's recent undertakings have included the development of agricultural selfsufficiency in Africa, the establishment of fellowship funds at sixty-one universities around the globe, and the support of the WHO's leprosy control program.
