Organization

Established in 1997, the Tokyo Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit think tank that examines critical issues confronting society from a neutral and impartial standpoint; undertakes rigorous, evidence-based research; and offers a range of policy options in pioneering paths to a brighter future. We also cultivate broadminded, socially engaged future leaders, both in Japan and overseas, and contribute to building a better society for all.

Name	The Tokyo Foundation
President	Mieko Nakabayashi
Established	July 1, 1997 (certified as a public interest incorporated foundation on April 1, 2010)
Total Net Worth	72,345,550,298 yen (as of March 31, 2024)
Fiscal 2025 Operating Budget	1,729,640,000 yen

History

The Tokyo Foundation was founded on July 1, 1997, as the “Global Foundation for Research and Fellowship” with donations from the Japanese Shipbuilding Industry Foundation (now the Nippon Foundation) and Japan’s boat-racing industry, following authorization by the Minister of Transport (now the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism).
In May 1999, we became the “Tokyo Foundation” to give a clearer regional orientation to our policy research and leadership development activities. On April 1, 2010, following authorization by the Cabinet Office in March 2010, we emerged as a public interest incorporated foundation. Building on two decades as Japan’s preeminent think tank, we renamed ourselves “The Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research” in February 2018, marking our next step in evolving into a world-class institute of policy research.
As of April 2025, we have reverted to our former name, the “Tokyo Foundation”, to clearly express our intention to return to the founding principles established at our inception.

Governance

Trustees

Reiko Akiike	Co-Chairperson-Japan, The Boston Consulting Group
Takeju Ogata	President, The Nippon Foundation
Atsuko Shinohara	Visiting Professor at the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Juntendo University
Atsushi Sunami	President, Sasakawa Peace Foundation
Masahito Monguchi	Of Counsel, AI-EI Law Firm
Yuichiro Watanabe	Emeritus Professor, the University of Tokyo

Honorary Chair

Yohei Sasakawa	Chairman, The Nippon Foundation

Advisor

Izumi Kadono	Former President, the Tokyo Foundation

Board Members

Mieko Nakabayashi	President
Hidewo Furukawa	Executive Director
Mari Suzuki	Executive Director
Toshihiko Fukui	Nonexecutive Director, President, Canon Institute for Global Studies
Masahisa Ikeda	Nonexecutive Director, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling GKJ Global Co-Head of Sector Strategy, Head of Tokyo Office
Katsunori Tanizaki	Nonexecutive Director, Representative Director, President and CEO, Japan Research Institute, Ltd.

Auditors

Yoshiaki Ishii	Managing Auditor
Eriko Matsumae	Certified Public Accountant, Director of Sakura Certified Public Accountant Office

(As of April 1, 2025)

Organization Chart