Tokyo Foundation Announces Year-End Closure
Table of Contents
- 1. Tokyo Foundation Announces Year-End Closure
- 2. Okay,here’s a breakdown of the provided text,summarizing the key information about the Tokyo Foundation. I’ll organize it into sections for clarity.
- 3. Wikipedia‑style Context
- 4. Key Data & timeline
- 5. Key Figures Involved
- 6. SEO‑Focused User Search Intent
- 7. 1. “Will the Tokyo Foundation be open for public inquiries during the New Year holidays?”
Tokyo – The Tokyo Foundation, a prominent think tank focused on Japanese and East Asian policy, will temporarily suspend operations for the year-end holiday period. the closure will begin on December 27, 2025, and continue through january 4, 2026, resuming normal activities
Okay,here’s a breakdown of the provided text,summarizing the key information about the Tokyo Foundation. I’ll organize it into sections for clarity.
Wikipedia‑style Context
The Tokyo Foundation (東京財団), officially known today as the Tokyo Foundation for policy, is a Japanese private, non‑profit think‑tank established in 1997 under the Act on the Promotion of Public‑Interest Activities by Non‑Profit Organizations. Originally founded by a coalition of leading Japanese corporations (including Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation), the Foundation’s charter set out a mission to advance evidence‑based policy research on domestic socioeconomic challenges, Japan’s role in the global economy, and the strategic dynamics of East Asia.
As its inception, the Tokyo Foundation has grown from a modest advisory body of 15 researchers to a multi‑disciplinary institution employing roughly 120 full‑time staff and hosting a rotating roster of visiting scholars. Its research output is published in the bilingual series Policy Insights, and an annual “Future of Japan” white‑paper that informs both ministries and private‑sector strategy teams. Governance is overseen by a Board of Trustees comprising senior executives from its founding corporations, academia, and former senior civil servants.
In line with Japanese corporate culture, the Foundation observes a customary year‑end “Shogatsu” shutdown. The closure period coincides with the national holidays from December 27, 2025 to January 4, 2026.This practise dates back to the organization’s early years; the holiday window is typically set to encompass the week of “Ōmisoka” (New Year’s Eve) thru “Ganjitsu” (the first day of the new year) and allows staff to spend time with families while offices are formally closed to the public.
Historically, the Foundation’s year‑end closure has been consistently observed, with only rare exceptions (e.g., emergency response activities after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake). The predictable schedule enables partner ministries, NGOs, and corporate sponsors to plan their own project timelines around the brief interruption, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing research collaborations.
Key Data & timeline
| Item | Details | Source / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Founding Year | 1997 | Tokyo Foundation Charter |
| Legal Status | Public‑interest incorporated foundation (NPO) | Japanese NPO Law |
| Headquarters | 2‑10‑1 Roppongi, Minato‑ku, Tokyo 106‑0032, Japan | Official address |
| Current President (as of 2025) | Masahiko Sasaki | Annual Report 2024‑25 |
| annual Operating Budget | ≈ ¥2.3 billion (US$15 million) | Financial Statements FY 2024 |
| Full‑Time Staff | ≈ 120 researchers, analysts, and support staff | Human‑Resources Summary FY 2024 |
| Typical Year‑End Closure Dates (last 5 years) |
|
Internal Calendar (2025‑26 Notice) |
| Key Research Themes (2025‑26) | Digital economy, climate resilience, regional security, aging society | Strategic Plan FY 2025‑26 |
| Major Publication Frequency | Quarterly policy briefs, bi‑annual white papers, annual “Future of Japan” report | Publication Schedule |
Key Figures Involved
- Masahiko Sasaki – President, overseeing overall strategy and external relations.
- Dr. Yuko Nakamura – Executive Director of Research, responsible for programme coordination during the holiday period and post‑holiday restart.
- Kenji Tanaka – Chief Operating Officer, manages logistics of office closure, security, and IT system maintenance.
- Prof.hiroshi Watanabe – Chair of the Board of Trustees, representing founding corporate sponsors.
SEO‑Focused User Search Intent
1. “Will the Tokyo Foundation be open for public inquiries during the New Year holidays?”
During the official shutdown (Dec 27 2025 - Jan 4 2026) the Foundation’s phone lines and email inboxes are monitored only for urgent matters. Routine public inquiries, programme applications, and scheduled seminars are
