About the Foundation
The Tokyo Foundation exists to shape the future of Japan. Its mission is to conceive forward-looking policies, mobilize society, and transform reality. Since its establishment in 1997, the Foundation has aspired to be a truly independent and internationally recognized policy think tank. As a private, non-profit, and non-partisan institution, it formulates policy proposals grounded in free and innovative thinking, while pursuing empirically informed, rational, and pragmatic solutions.
In April 2025, the organization adopted 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 the banner of “Vision 2029: A Five-Year Plan for Reform and a Return to Core Principles,” the Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening policy recommendations, accelerating their implementation within society, and enhancing the cultivation of the next generation of leaders. With its sights firmly set on the future of Japan and in collaboration with global intellectual currents, the Foundation embarks on this renewed journey, aiming to be a force for real-world change.
The Tokyo Foundation is not content merely to articulate policies; it strives to embed them in society and foster meaningful transformation. Its objective is to unearth the complex and often latent challenges woven into the fabric of society, discern their underlying nature, 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 as its cornerstone, the Foundation’s research endeavors are organized around the following three pillars:
- Toward a Transformed Japanese Society
As demographic decline progresses, the Foundation seeks to identify ways to optimize industrial structures, employment systems, welfare regimes, and educational frameworks to restore dynamism to society. Its research explores the sustainable development of regional economies, the realization of diverse modes of work, and the redesign of taxation and social security systems—ultimately striving to construct a new architecture to support Japanese society. - Toward a Sustainable Society
The Foundation is committed to developing a growth strategy that harmonizes environmental stewardship with economic progress by maximizing the use of limited resources. It addresses issues such as energy security, climate adaptation, and the reimagining of urban planning and infrastructure. The Foundation proposes policies oriented toward long-term sustainability, eschewing short-term gains in favor of intergenerational responsibility. - Toward the International Community
In a context marked by demographic contraction and changing economic scale, the Foundation examines how Japan can remain engaged with the world and continue to fulfill a meaningful international role. It investigates how to leverage technology and human capital, and how to reconfigure Japan’s approaches to diplomacy and national security. It seeks new models of international cooperation that enable Japan to contribute to global stability and development.
Furthermore, the driving force behind any vision for the future is human capital. Through its international scholarship programs spanning 44 countries, support for Japanese language education, and donations of books that promote understanding of Japan, the Foundation has long been dedicated to nurturing globally minded leaders. Knowledge alone does not change society; what is needed are leaders who act. To this end, the Foundation fosters environments that enable younger generations to engage directly in the policymaking arena and provides them with hands-on experience.
An independent think tank is more than just a research institution. It bears the responsibility of rigorously analyzing societal challenges, formulating solutions, and mapping out pathways to implementation. The Foundation collaborates with policymakers, businesses, and civil society to foster tangible social change. To fulfill this mission, it combines data-driven analysis with strategic policy dialogue, thereby laying the intellectual groundwork for Japan’s sustainable development.
The Tokyo Foundation will continue to serve as a hub of knowledge for a new era—a base for problem-solving and a source of practical action. In partnership with all who share our ideals and seek to be part of this dynamic movement to shape the future, we aim to build a renewed Japan and contribute to a better world.
Transforming knowledge into action: this is the frontier where the Tokyo Foundation will remain steadfastly engaged.
