Governance and Civil Society in Japan
In the fall of 1996, JCIE began a multifaceted, long-term study and dialogue project on the theme of “Globalization, Governance, and Civil Society.” The overall objective of the project was to explore the role of civil society in improving domestic as well as international governance and to explore ways of strengthening civil society in Japan and abroad.
International Cooperation by Local Governments in Europe
This project involved interviews with local and national government institutions in five European countries to ascertain the state of cooperation between local governments and NPOs in promoting cooperation with developing countries, the relationship between local governments and government funding agencies, and the ODA strategy toward local governments.
International Philanthropy Project
JCIE’s International Philanthropy Project was launched in 1974 because of a need JCIE recognized for Japan to develop truly nonprofit and nongovernmental institutions in order to become a constructive member of the international community.
Joint Research Project: Promoting University-Based Lectures and Research on Civil Society
In 2003, a preliminary survey of US university research centers focusing on civil society was conducted, followed by a workshop in Tokyo on January 22, 2004. At the workshop, scholars, practitioners, and other individuals from the university sphere and civil society sector discussed issues and questions to be addressed in the research.
Keio University Shibusawa Ei’ichi Memorial Lectureship
The Shibusawa Ei’ichi Memorial Lectureship was established at Keio University in 2004 with the sponsorship of the Shibusawa Ei’ichi Memorial Foundation, to be held each year for five years. This for-credit course organized by JCIE consisted of a series of lectures that dealt with the redefinition of the public good and the role of civil society.
Strengthening Nongovernmental Contributions to Regional Security Cooperation
JCIE conducted a study from 2009–2015 to explore how such nongovernmental initiatives can concretely contribute to regional security cooperation in East Asia.
The Civil Society Sector and NGO Activities in Asia and Europe—International Survey Project
The Japan Institute for Social and Economic Affairs (Keizai Koho Center) and JCIE, recognizing the need for healthy partnerships between the business and civil society sectors, launched a survey of NGOs designed to contribute to the building of sound cross-sectoral partnerships.
The Nongovernmental Underpinnings of the Emerging Asia Pacific Regional Community
In December 1994, JCIE, along with the Asia Foundation, the Institute for East and West Studies of Yonsei University, and Philippine Business for Social Progress, organized a conference in Osaka, Japan, on “Developing Nongovernmental Underpinnings of the Emerging Asia Pacific Regional Community.”
The Role of Philanthropy in Postwar US-Japan Relations
This project was designed to fill gaps in the knowledge of US-Japan relations and shed light on the historic role of philanthropy and civil society in international relations.
Transnational Civil Society and International Governance
This project is designed to analyze and clarify transnational civl society’s possible contributions and limitations. Workshops were held in December 1998 in Hawaii and in March 1999 in Paris to review the group’s findings, and the research was published in 2000.
