US- Japan Council
The U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Washington, DC. It cultivates connections among leaders in the United States and Japan and supports leadership initiatives, exchange programs, and events focused on U.S.-Japan relations.
US- Japan Council at a glance
In short: US- Japan Council gave $227K across 25 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $226,733
- +54.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 25
- +56.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $9,069
- -1.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $8,000
- Total assets
- $43,796,685
- +40.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (30% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to US- Japan Council
- How to Apply
-
MAP is an institutional grant program.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1819 L Street Nw 200, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 223-6840
Website: https://usjapancouncil.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who US- Japan Council funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was American University ($18K). Together the top 10 received $116K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($15,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
46 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 45 grants of 46 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
USJC’s 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. The largest reported shares by recipient state were California (30%), Washington (12%), Washington, DC (8%), North Carolina (7%), and Indiana (7%). MAP supports student exchanges between the United States and Japan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How US- Japan Council gives
- 14% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $8K (2021) to $730K (2019). In 2024 it made 25 grants totaling $227K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American University Washington, DC | Watanabe Scholarship | $18,000 |
| Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, MA | Watanabe Scholarship | $14,000 |
| University of Hawaii Honolulu, HI | Watanabe Scholarship | $13,000 |
| Stanford University Stanford, CA | Watanabe Scholarship | $13,000 |
| University of Washington Seattle, WA | Watanabe Scholarship | $12,000 |
| University of California La Jolla, CA | Watanabe Scholarship | $10,000 |
| Denison University Granville, OH | Watanabe Scholarship | $10,000 |
| Rice University Houston, TX | Watanabe Scholarship | $9,000 |
| California State University Northridge, CA | Watanabe Scholarship | $9,000 |
| Depauw University Greencastle, IN | Watanabe Scholarship | $8,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $43,796,685 | $18,027,545 | $6,396,127 | $226,733 | 25 | $1,628,676 |
| 2023 | $31,226,737 | $5,462,584 | $5,249,018 | $146,761 | 16 | $461,338 |
| 2022 | $28,588,265 | $14,333,092 | $5,128,182 | $67,500 | 1 | $589,969 |
| 2021 | $22,364,092 | $5,169,884 | $3,539,820 | $8,301 | Total only | $584,312 |
| 2020 | $20,318,391 | $4,170,279 | $3,701,003 | $33,860 | 4 | $6,375 |
| 2019 | $18,413,952 | $5,369,170 | $5,576,357 | $729,575 | 25 | $3,375 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
USJC’s stated mission is to cultivate and connect leaders in the United States and Japan who are committed to a strong and enduring global partnership. Its programs include leadership initiatives, educational exchanges, and convenings addressing bilateral issues. The organization also describes programs for students and alumni, emerging leaders, and other leadership cohorts, as well as initiatives focused on climate and sustainability and women’s leadership.
USJC’s grantmaking includes support for educational institutions through the Toshizo Watanabe scholarship-related grants reported in 2024. Its Mineta Ambassadors Program (MAP) makes grants to institutions facilitating student exchanges for high school and college students; it does not provide MAP grants directly to individuals seeking scholarships.
The 2024 grantees included universities and colleges. American University’s stated mission is to advance knowledge, foster intellectual curiosity, build community, and empower lives of purpose, service, and leadership. DePauw University describes its mission as developing leaders through a liberal arts education and global and experiential learning opportunities. Seattle Pacific University says it is committed to engaging culture and changing the world by graduating people of competence and character.
Grantmaking
In 2024, USJC reported 25 grants totaling $226,733. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $18,000, with a median of $8,000. The largest listed award was $18,000 to American University for the Watanabe Scholarship. Other listed awards included $14,000 to Mount Holyoke College, $13,000 each to the University of Hawaii and Stanford University, and $12,000 to the University of Washington, all for the Watanabe Scholarship.
MAP supports institutions that need assistance to develop or expand student-exchange programs. Eligible applicants may include U.S. tax-exempt organizations or equivalent organizations in Japan, including high schools, higher education institutions, eligible local or government-affiliated institutions, and nonprofits able to receive grants in their respective country. National government agencies and departments are generally not eligible. The 2026–2027 MAP application window is listed as October 30, 2025, through January 16, 2026.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing were Sachi Hamai, board chair; Mark Okada, board vice-chair; Ann Teranishi, secretary; and Eiichiro Kuwana, treasurer. The directors listed were Kathy Matsui, Susan Morita, Todd Guild, Josh Morey, Kira Teshima Conlon, and Margaret Cummisky.
US- Japan Council is led by Audrey Yamamoto, President & CEO on the 2024 filing; 7 of 29 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Audrey Yamamoto
President & CEO
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$183K (2024)
Sachi Hamai
Board Chair
Director → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Abe
Senior Director, Donor & Member Engagement
Director, External Relations & Membership → Director & External Relatio, 2022
Director & External Relatio → Senior Director, Donor & Member Engagement, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$113K (2019) → $132K (2024)
Shane Graves
Director & Program Development
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$113K (2023) → $116K (2024)
Rona Tison
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd Guild
Director
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yoko Otani
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Ogawa
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Curtiss Takada Rooks
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Morita
Director
Vice Chair → Co-Chair, 2023
Co-Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Matsui
Director
Co-Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Masami Tyson
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Minoru Tsumura
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yoh Kawanami
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dianne Fukami
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George Kobayashi
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Josh Morey
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katrina Lake
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kira Teshima Conlon
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Cummisky
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Masatoshi Komoriya
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yoshiteru Terry Suzuki
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terri Swetnam
COO
Chief Operating Officer → COO, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$181K (2020) → $225K (2024)
Fred Katayama
Executive Vice President
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$145K (2022) → $208K (2024)
Diane Hiroshima
Head of Svjp Program
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$143K (2023) → $130K (2024)
Aki Ohashi
Svjp Chief of Staff
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$122K (2024)
Mark Okada
Board Vice Chair
Director → Board Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann Teranishi
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eiichiro Kuwana
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (32)
- Former: David Kenji Chang (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Joshua Morey (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Kazuhiro Gomi (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: William Tsutsui (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Suzanne Basalla (2020–2023) — President & CEO
- Former: Terry Suzuki (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Brad Miyake (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: David Nishida (2019–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Norman Nakasone (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Scott Sato (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Tasha Yorozu (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Yuka Kaifu (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Paul K. Yonamine (2020–2022) — Chair
- Former: Jon Shalowitz (2021–2022) — President & Svjp
- Former: Mino Tsumura (2022) — Director
- Former: Dennis B. Sugino (2019–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: James Higa (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Laura Winthrop Abbot (2019–2021) — Executive Vice President
- Former: Leona Hiraoka (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Phyllis Campbell (2019–2021) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Susan Eichor (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Tomoko Kizawa (2019–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Donna Fujimoto Cole (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Tess Esposito (2019–2020) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Irene Hirano Inouye (2020) — President & CEO
- Former: Atsuko Toko Fish (2019) — Director
- Former: David M. Boone (2019) — Director
- Former: Dennis Y. Teranishi (2019) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Irene Hirano Inoyue (2019) — President
- Former: Jill Nishi (2019) — Director
- Former: Kenta Takamori (2019) — Executive Director-Svjp
- Former: Weston Konishi (2019) — Director of Development
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $225K, to Terri Swetnam (COO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about US- Japan Council
How much does US- Japan Council give each year?
US- Japan Council gave $227K across 25 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $147K across 16 grants.
What is US- Japan Council's typical grant size?
US- Japan Council's median grant in 2024 was $8,000, and its average grant was $9,069, across 25 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does US- Japan Council give grants?
US- Japan Council's top state is California, with 30% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Washington (12%) and District of Columbia (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (2 grants).
Does US- Japan Council give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on US- Japan Council's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Watanabe Scholarship" (25 grants).
Who are US- Japan Council's largest grantees?
US- Japan Council's largest 2024 grantees include American University ($18,000), Mount Holyoke College ($14,000) and University of Hawaii ($13,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($15,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is US- Japan Council?
US- Japan Council reported $43.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $18.0M.
What does US- Japan Council fund?
USJC’s stated mission is to cultivate and connect leaders in the United States and Japan who are committed to a strong and enduring global partnership. Its programs include leadership initiatives, educational exchanges, and convenings addressing bilateral issues. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from US- Japan Council?
MAP is an institutional grant program. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is US- Japan Council's EIN?
US- Japan Council's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 90-0447211. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 9, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 19, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). US- Japan Council funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/us-japan-council-morg_42842093d897485c921af85c43ef7c75
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_900447211_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{US- Japan Council funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/us-japan-council-morg_42842093d897485c921af85c43ef7c75},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from US- Japan Council's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
US- Japan Council down — hundreds of funders to go?