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  The Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), endowed by the Nippon Foundation (formerly the Sasakawa Foundation) and the Japanese motorboat racing industry, was established in September 1986. A private nonprofit organization (NPO) that conducts international activities in the realm of the public interest from a global perspective, SPF aims to contribute to the welfare of humankind and to the development of a sound international community in order to foster world peace. SPF aims at a pioneering approach with a clear-cut focus. Responding flexibly to the fast-changing international situation, SPF tries to address problems in terms of what the world needs now.  While some aspects of SPF's activities change over time, one aspect has remained constant since its inception: the implementation of both grant projects and self-operated projects. SPF's comparative advantage lies in its ability to provide a variety of forums for international dialogue and its preference for a multilateral rather than a bilateral approach. This comparative advantage is closely bound up with SPF's character as an organization that seeks methods of improving society rather than one that seeks to improve society as such. The combination of grant projects and self-operated projects is the most effective way of accomplishing this. In addition, planning and implementing self-operated projects enhance staff professionalism and thus the quality of grant projects.  SPF's preferred mode of operation is multidisciplinary and participatory. This is reflected in SPF's program priorities: dialogue across cultures and civilizations, capacity building and institutionalization of the nonprofit sector, and East Asian renewal and transfer of experience. SPF's program has two major components: regular projects, conducted in accordance with the stance described above, and projects of special funds targeting specific regions. In both cases coordinated action and joint endeavors with private NPOs around the world are encouraged. This "dual approach" has enhanced the outcomes of SPF's activities. 
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