Mission Statement and Program Policy
SPF Mission Statement
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation addresses the diverse and complicated issues that human society is encountering in the 21st century. In order to respond to an increasing number of natural disasters and social crises, we implement and support a variety of programs and projects. As a private Japanese foundation, we strive to strengthen cooperation at all levels between Japan and other countries. We make use of our freedom as a private foundation to effectively promote activities, proposals, and exchanges in the search for a new governance model for human society
1. Toward New Ocean Governance
We make necessary proposals for ocean governance and promote policy implementation to protect this common heritage of mankind. With international cooperation and coordination, we promote research about comprehensive ocean management and sustainable development. As an organization of a country surrounded by the sea, we pursue a model for a new ocean state that maintains a balance between development and utilization of marine resources as well as environmental protection. We make efforts to enhance cooperation with the international community, especially with Asian and Pacific countries, to establish the ocean governance of the future.
2. Realization of World Peace and Security
We implement and support projects that contribute to world peace and security. We devote our efforts to the stability and development of the Asia-Pacific region and the international community. At the same time, we consider strategies for governance in new areas of maritime and space security in cooperation with the leaders of other countries and various fields by conducting research and making proposals. We also examine and implement measures to ensure the security of citizens against internal conflicts, terrorism, and natural disasters, which have been increasing around the world.
3. Solving Diverse Problems of the Planet
Keeping the diversity of the world community in view, we seek tailor-made solutions for each country and region. With the current aging of the population in Japan and the developed world, growth has slowed down in recent years. Social problems are arising from the aging population and increasing economic disparities. On the other hand, the population in the developing world is growing rapidly, bringing about various problems inside as well as outside these countries. To come up with practical solutions to these problems, we promote approaches that respect diversity. In order to create societies where individuals can fully express their potential and contribute to finding solutions, we support innovative policies and implementation efforts at the policy-making level.
Program Policy
What is the Sasakawa Peace Foundation?
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) was established in September 1986 as a private not-for-profit foundation, with endowments from the Nippon Foundation and the Japanese motorboat racing industry. Since then, it has engaged in various projects and activities aimed at contributing to human welfare, advancement of sound international society, and establishment of world peace through international understanding, international exchange, and international cooperation. Following approval for transition into a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation in October 2011, SPF has worked in the fields of international exchange and international cooperation through different types of projects including "Regular Projects," which focus on individual issues, and projects under the four SPF funds (Sasakawa Pacific Island Nations Fund, Sasakawa Pan Asia Fund, Sasakawa Middle East Islam Fund, and Sasakawa Japan-China Friendship Fund), designed to address region-specific issues. The activities of these projects include surveys/research, human resource development, arrangement of meetings, and international conferences.
The Japan Foundation for Shipbuilding Advancement was established in 1975 to promote the ship-building industry and related enterprises. Since then, it has broadened and enhanced the scope of its research to cover all oceanic issues, and has also promoted international collaboration and domestic initiatives within Japan on common issues shared between Japan and other countries and regions, such as general marine management and sustainable development. In 1990, it changed its name to the Ship & Ocean Foundation (SOF).
In 2002, the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) was founded within SOF to consider comprehensive initiatives on marine issues according to the new international order of the sea and alligned with principles such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. In 2005, OPRI started operating under the name Ocean Policy Research Foundation (OPRF) and subsequently launched its initiative for full-fledged research and advocacy activities on marine issues as a whole.
Since their establishment, SPF and OPRF have carried out research, issued policy recommendations and promoted collaboration and exchange in an effort to explore solutions for issues in various fields. Yet, amidst the recent increase in the size and complexity of global issues that include factors of human society and the natural environment, both organizations began to recognize their limitations to come up with solutions within their own sphere of activities.
In July 2013, external experts were invited to set up a joint forum to study what the two foundations' future activities ought to be. Members reviewed the foundations' past activities, exchanged views on potential challenges, and discussed their future direction. As a result of the discussions, the joint forum found that there was no overlap in the past activities of SPF and OPRF. They concluded that merging the two foundations would allow them to complement each other through collaboration and the use of their respective knowledge and experience, generating new knowledge and facilitating effective initiatives for solving global issues of increasing complexity.
In April 2015, the two foundations' Boards of Trustees and Boards of Councilors adopted a resolution for the merger, with SPF absorbing OPRF to become one of Asia's largest Public Interest Incorporated Foundations with assets totaling 142.6 billion yen. After the merger, SPF established a new mission statement by combining and integrating SPF's former solution-seeking project experiences in the fields of international exchange and international cooperation with OPRF's achievements in research and policy recommendations as a think tank focusing on marine issues. The Global Frontier Fund was also established to promote further expansion and development of these activities.
As of July 2017, the new SPF is reviewing existing programs to bring about greater synergistic effects from its predecessors and undertaking program reforms to explore new project strategies.
The Japan Foundation for Shipbuilding Advancement was established in 1975 to promote the ship-building industry and related enterprises. Since then, it has broadened and enhanced the scope of its research to cover all oceanic issues, and has also promoted international collaboration and domestic initiatives within Japan on common issues shared between Japan and other countries and regions, such as general marine management and sustainable development. In 1990, it changed its name to the Ship & Ocean Foundation (SOF).
In 2002, the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) was founded within SOF to consider comprehensive initiatives on marine issues according to the new international order of the sea and alligned with principles such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. In 2005, OPRI started operating under the name Ocean Policy Research Foundation (OPRF) and subsequently launched its initiative for full-fledged research and advocacy activities on marine issues as a whole.
Since their establishment, SPF and OPRF have carried out research, issued policy recommendations and promoted collaboration and exchange in an effort to explore solutions for issues in various fields. Yet, amidst the recent increase in the size and complexity of global issues that include factors of human society and the natural environment, both organizations began to recognize their limitations to come up with solutions within their own sphere of activities.
In July 2013, external experts were invited to set up a joint forum to study what the two foundations' future activities ought to be. Members reviewed the foundations' past activities, exchanged views on potential challenges, and discussed their future direction. As a result of the discussions, the joint forum found that there was no overlap in the past activities of SPF and OPRF. They concluded that merging the two foundations would allow them to complement each other through collaboration and the use of their respective knowledge and experience, generating new knowledge and facilitating effective initiatives for solving global issues of increasing complexity.
In April 2015, the two foundations' Boards of Trustees and Boards of Councilors adopted a resolution for the merger, with SPF absorbing OPRF to become one of Asia's largest Public Interest Incorporated Foundations with assets totaling 142.6 billion yen. After the merger, SPF established a new mission statement by combining and integrating SPF's former solution-seeking project experiences in the fields of international exchange and international cooperation with OPRF's achievements in research and policy recommendations as a think tank focusing on marine issues. The Global Frontier Fund was also established to promote further expansion and development of these activities.
As of July 2017, the new SPF is reviewing existing programs to bring about greater synergistic effects from its predecessors and undertaking program reforms to explore new project strategies.
Program policy for FY 2017
In 2016, the world experienced a paradigm shift on a monumental scale beyond expectations, as seen in the United Kingdom's referendum result in favor of leaving the EU and the victory of Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election. Populism is gaining momentum in Europe and other parts of the world, while a trend of political leaders increasing their power is emerging in other countries. Political and geopolitical risks are growing, threatening the conventional Liberal International Order. Amidst energy security risks arising from supply reliance on the ever-destabilized Middle East, a refugee crisis with no end in sight, and the threat of terrorism from extremist organizations, the international outlook appears uncertain.
Given the turbulent state of the world, the roles that SPF plays are becoming increasingly important because of the foundation's ability to make contributions to security and peace-building at its own discretion, without any constraints from existing frameworks. In order to acutualize the missions set out in its Mission Statement, SPF is reviewing its programs, which where implemented in April 2015. SPF has also adopted five priority goals for 2017, (1) Further strengthening Japan-U.S. relationship, (2) expanding Japan's presence in Asia, (3) enhancing understanding of and relationship with Islamic countries, (4) establishing ocean governance, and (5) empowering women. By presenting unconstrained ideas as a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation and maintaining a long-term perspective, SPF is drawing up plans for achieving these goals while remaining flexible and able to swifly adapt to changes in world situations.
Given the turbulent state of the world, the roles that SPF plays are becoming increasingly important because of the foundation's ability to make contributions to security and peace-building at its own discretion, without any constraints from existing frameworks. In order to acutualize the missions set out in its Mission Statement, SPF is reviewing its programs, which where implemented in April 2015. SPF has also adopted five priority goals for 2017, (1) Further strengthening Japan-U.S. relationship, (2) expanding Japan's presence in Asia, (3) enhancing understanding of and relationship with Islamic countries, (4) establishing ocean governance, and (5) empowering women. By presenting unconstrained ideas as a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation and maintaining a long-term perspective, SPF is drawing up plans for achieving these goals while remaining flexible and able to swifly adapt to changes in world situations.
Five Priority Goals
1. Further strengthening the Japan-U.S. relationship
For Japan, the United States has been its most important ally from a political, economic, and security perspective. However, it cannot be said that the people of the two countries have a sufficient level of understanding and recognition of each other. SPF will further promote private-sector exchanges between the people of Japan and the United States to strengthen bilateral ties. Particularly in the area of security, SPF will also pursue activities based on diverse perspectives.
2. Expanding Japan's presence in Asia
While Asian countries and the region as a whole are enjoying strong economic growth, they also face a multitude of difficulties in terms of growing populations, environmental protection, and other issues. SPF regards Asia's issues as its own issues, and aims to share Japan's extensive knowledge and unique solutions accumulated from its past experiences with the people and countries across Asia. Efforts will be made to explore measures that lead to a path for stable and sustainable development through collaboration between Japan and the rest of Asia.
3. Enhancing understanding of and relationship with Islamic countries
The emergence of extremism and protracted armed conflicts in the Middle East have a ripple effect on the rest of the world, even reaching Muslim communities in Asia. Despite an increasing inflow of such information, Japanese society still has a long way to go before establishing recognition and true understanding of people in Muslim societies. SPF will promote networking with Islamic countries around the world, urging Japanese people to establish an accurate understanding about Muslim societies.
4. Establishing ocean governance
Various issues such as environmental pollution and excessive fishing have become common in oceans around the world, requiring urgent action. However, many countries have yet to fully address the ocean crisis they face. SPF will gather opinions from international experts in various fields regarding ways to make our oceans sustainable, while also establishing mutual cooperation to generate a greater collective impact.
5. Empowering women
Women's empowerment is essential in all aspects of society, including politics, the economy, education, and science. There are many examples of female empowerment around the world and Japan should take note in order to increase its influence in international society. SPF will focus on the roles that women fulfill in society to explore the potential for finding new solutions to a range of international issues and social tasks.
As of the end of August 2017
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation