Japan-United States Friendship Commission

The Japan-United States Friendship Commission is an independent federal agency that provides support for training and information to help prepare Americans to better meet the challenges and opportunities in the US-Japan relationship. The Commission is the chief instrument of the US government for training and maintaining expertise on Japan throughout American academic and professional institutions. The Commission's goal is to strengthen the national interest in US dealings with Japan through this expertise. The Commission serves only to make grants to private institutions. It does not operate its own programs. It relies on the private, non-profit sector to organize and operate programs of training, research and exchange. The Commission operates its grant-making activities in four areas: Japanese studies in American higher education; Public Affairs/Education; the Study of the United States in Japanese higher education; and the Arts.