Annual Report

Report for Fiscal 2017
April 2017 - March 2018

Cover picture: A scene from the workshop that was held in January 2018 in
Baguio, the Philippines. The dialogues were organized by the International
Grant Program. With instruction from professional artists Edgar Banasan
and Raffy Kapuno, who are also grant project members, the participants
made traditional bamboo musical instruments that have been handed
down by the Kalingas, indigenous mountain people. They also tried
dancing using the instruments.
Photo by: Kenta Kusuda (International Grant Program)

CONTENTS
Message from the President.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 2Activity Report

Annual Report

Report for Fiscal 2017

Looking Back the Toyota Foundation’s FY 2017.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 4

Report on Grant-related Activities
Research Grant Program. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 14
International Grant Program.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 18
Grant Program for Community Activities in Japan .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 23
Initiative Program .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 25
Communication with Society Program. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 26

Discussion Meeting
Exploring the New Way of Grant-Making
with a Liberal Character Distinctive to thePrivate Grant-Making Foundation .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 27

Accounting Report
Balance Sheet .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 31
Statement of Changes in Net Assets .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 32

Chairman: Nobuyori Kodaira
President: Atsuko Toyama

Officers and Trustees

Founded: October 15, 1974

Officers and Trustees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Shinjuku Mitsui Building 37F, 2-1-1 Nishi-Shinjuku,
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-0437, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3344-1701 Fax: +81-3-3342-6911
http://www.toyotafound.or.jp/english/
Copyright © The Toyota Foundation All Rights Reserved.

Message from the President

Atsuko Toyama
President
Toyota Foundation

Introduction

years, will enable NPO staff members to tackle various issues insuch a program are still only a few, unfortunately. This may bemodeled after Pax Romana (Roman Peace), a period of peace

society more effectively, with a sense of mission in their hearts.

because a huge burden a grant program of this kind would haveand stability in the Mediterranean Sea region created by theon the management and staff of foundations. In this sense, hav-

Roman Empire under the rule of Caesar Augustus – is undergo-

In fiscal 2017, we at the Toyota Foundation provided about 350
million yen in grants to a total of 83 projects primarily throughMoreover, we do not think just providing grants will suffice ining a pool of program officers specialized in grant-making is a

ing a significant transformation. For Japan, it seems that uncer-

the three pillars of our open-solicitation grants: the Grant Pro-each of these open-solicitation Grant Programs. We are proac-prerequisite for offering a closed grant program.

tainty will continue for a while in East Asia and the wider world,gram for Community Activities in Japan, the Research Grant

tive in organizing various events involving grant recipients, such

Program, and the International Grant Program. Over the past

as workshops, study sessions and briefings. For example, as for

Our Initiative Program is representative of a closed grant pro-few years, we offered grants in each of these three programs,

the International Grant Program, we implemented a plan ingram that can better reflect our intentions. Through this pro-

Meanwhile, we are witnessing how Japan’s falling birthrate andwith focus on future-oriented themes -- fostering local-basedwhich the Foundation’s program officers were touring aroundgram, we provided grants in fiscal 2017 to help strengthen the

aging population have contributed to labor shortages in manysocial ventures, exploring new values for society, and common

the sites of recipient projects in the Philippines, Thailand, andinfrastructure of NPOs and community foundations that can act

facets of the country.

issues and mutual exchanges in Asia. It is our hope that grant

Japan from January to March 2018. This afforded the program

as a hub to distribute private funds within local communities. In

recipients working on the ground or engaged in research activity

officers an opportunity to exchange opinions intensively withaddition, we funded projects such as a survey of the non-profit

In view of such uncertainties both at home and abroad, we arewill yield tangible results in the near future and such outcomes

grant recipients. The plan aimed at encouraging a greater under-

sector and its status quo in Asian countries. This is the grant-

yet again reminded of the great significance of the mission state-

will help steer our society towards the right direction.

standing of the grant purpose among those recipients under the

making unique to the Toyota Foundation as we have continued

ment upheld by the late Eiji Toyoda, the first president of thetheme: “common issues and mutual exchanges in Asia.” A bro-

to support NPOs over the past two decades since the enactment

Toyota Foundation, and others at its inception in 1974: “for the

We would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to thechure about those exchanges is available in Japanese and English

of Japan’s commonly-called NPO law in 1998. We hope that thesake of greater human happiness.”

Selection Committee Chairpersons and other committee mem-on our website. I would appreciate it if you could take the time

grant projects of this nature will continue to produce results

bers for their dedication and effort in selecting those grant-re-

to have a look.

steadily so as to give a further boost to non-profit organizations,

As such, the Toyota Foundation will strive to develop a progres-including public-interest corporations, in Japan and other parts

sive program aimed at tackling pressing social issues, provideof Asia.

grants to future-oriented projects, and disseminate outcomes ofceiving projects.

Our unique grant program
Aiming to deliver greater results

The Foundation also runs a publicly-closed grant program in

In recent years, the Foundation has been focused on its own self-

addition to the previously-mentioned, open-solicitation pro-

Closing

initiated activities intended to help deliver greater results fromgrams. This closed grant program is characterized by the fact

As you may be aware in your daily life, the current world situa-

It may be rather challenging for us to demonstrate foresight in

grant-making. One such example is the “Toyota NPO College

that our program officers play a central role in discoveringtion is increasingly in a state of flux. This, in turn, has further

this day and age of uncertainty. But that is the way for us to high-

Kaiketsu, ‘Problem Solving’” a series of lectures for NPO staffers

promising project candidates and, if necessary, helping to for-complicated the situation surrounding Japan in East Asia in re-light the Foundation’s raison d’etre and go about living up to theto learn Toyota Motor-styled organizational management andmulate actual projects. Since this kind of grant program allows

cent years. A look back over the past few months will reveal to us

mission passed down from our predecessors.

problem-solving methods. This activity was launched in fiscal

foundations to reflect their own intentions directly, Westernthat things took a dramatic turn just in a matter of a few weeks

2016. Thankfully, it has since received a lot of positive feedback

private grant-making foundations primarily operate such pub-or even a few days in this part of the world. If we take a closer

Lastly, I sincerely hope that you will continue to closely watch

from its participants and we held the Solution College lectures

licly-closed programs.

look at the current situation, we will begin to see the world order

the activities of the Toyota Foundation with warm interest andestablished by victorious country the U.S. following the end ofprovide us with your advice and support.

in fiscal 2017 as well. It is our great pleasure that Toyota’s approach and methods of problem-solving, developed over the2going forward.

In contrast, Japanese private grant-making foundations runningWorld War II – the so-called Pax Americana (American Peace)such projects to society in a proactive manner.

July 20183

Activity Report

Looking Back the Toyota Foundation’s FY 2017
Here we present images of symposiums, workshops,
and ceremonies in which the Toyota Foundation was
involved.
❷❸❹

Research Grant Program

Workshop: “Exploring New Values for Society”
Locations and dates: Shinjuku-ku(Tokyo), April 15, 2017 andFukuoka, May 21, 2017

In providing grants through the Research Grant Program, theToyota Foundation has followed the theme of Exploring New
Values for Society since fiscal 2014. We hold open workshops
twice a year in an effort to increase the number of applica-❺

tions based on a deeper understanding of the theme andproviding assistance in line with its intent. At the workshops,
which comprise three sessions, grant recipients from two
projects per session make reports, and discussions pertinent
to new values for society and what types of studies would
create such values are expanded.
In fiscal 2017, the Toyota Foundation held open workshops inTokyo and Fukuoka. The following outlines the open workshops in Fukuoka (May 21, 2017 in the Medium Conference
Room of Nishijin Plaza, Kyushu University).

❶❶ The Medium Conference Room of Nishijin Plaza, Kyushu University, which was the venue of the workshop in Fukuoka. More than 30 people participatedin the workshop. ❷ Yuko Kawai gave a presentation on her research in Fukuoka. ❸ Hiroyuki Kurokochi also gave a presentation on his research in
Fukuoka. ❹ Toshio Kuwako (Representative Director of the Association of Consensus Coordinators, Japan and Professor Emeritus, Tokyo Institute ofTechnology), who is the chair of the Research Grant Program’s Selection Committee. ❺ Grant recipients who made reports on their research at the venue
in Tokyo (Okuma Auditorium, Waseda University) and commentators. ❻ Approximately 60 people participated in the workshop held in Tokyo.

In the discussions about these two reports, the participants

new findings and values are created through dialogues in

the local communities, communicating with the local people

found that videos are highly effective concerning the meth-public places, such as opportunities to share the personaland earning their trust. It was then pointed out that, in theodology of trans-border multiculturalism. On the other hand,

documentary films and workshops of festival organizers.

analysis of forest structure, science will presumably enable

there was an opinion that the projects would be more meaningful if the Western-centric cosmopolitanism is reviewed
from the perspective of the East Asian region.

Finally, in the third session, reports were made on projects
related to scientific knowledge and skills for forming social consensus. Kenji Suetsugu (Associate Professor, Graduate School

In the first session, reports were made on a project about the

Next, in the second session, reports were made on a projectof Science, Kobe University) gave a presentation on his re-empowerment of marginalized people. Yuko Kawai (Associate

related to dialogues, social participation and the formation of asearch aimed at establishing a measure for conserving theProfessor, College of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo

public sphere. Tomoko Niwa (Project Assistant Professor, Na-underground ecosystems of forests. In his presentation, Su-

University) reported on her research, in which she discusses

tional Institutes for the Humanities) gave a presentation on a

etsugu revealed that the conservation of mycoheterotrophic

multiculturalism from the East Asian and transnational per-project, in which she focused on a session for screening per-plants help protect species-rich underground biotic networks.

spectives. The report is aimed at sharing the experience andsonal documentary films made by high school students in

Hiroyuki Kurokochi (Specially Appointed Assistant Professor,

issues of multicultural harmony, promoting cross-border dia-

Fukushima. Sho Yamasaki (a student of Hokkaido University

Asian Natural Environmental Science Center, The University oflogues and cooperation, and creating a forum for practicing

Graduate School of International Media, Communication, andTokyo) reported on joint reforestation activities with local

multiculturalism in East Asia. Yiping Lu (a student of the

Tourism Studies) reported on a session for dialogues between

people, including local land owners as the promoters and el-

School of Cultural and Societal Studies at the Graduate Uni-

festival organizers, which was held with a focus on the festival

ementary school children, that had been commenced forversity for Advanced Studies) reported on her research fo-

organizers’ ability to reach out to external parties, while many

managing deserted local forests.

cused on the Siraya people in Taiwan, in which she discusses

past studies on festivals focused on the participants.

cultural renaissance and inheritance through cooperation

4❻

In the discussions about these two reports, there were multi-

with a museum and the self-assertion and identity of the

In the discussions about these two reports, the projects un-ple opinions that highly evaluated the activities of the two

people.

dertaken by the two researchers presumably showed thatscientists, who are promoting great movements by entering

the way human life is related to the forest structure to beshown diagrammatically. In addition, there was an opinion
that science and morals should be considered comprehensively instead of separately. There was also an opinion that it
is important to ensure that the local people are familiar withthe habitat environment and recognize it as a treasure of theircommunity.
In those open workshops, researchers from a range of fields
gathered and gave presentations, through which they had
deep discussions on what research aimed at creating newvalues for society is like. We hope that these workshops, including the one held in FY2017, provided researchers fromdifferent fields with opportunities to interact with each otherand trigger mutual learning and collaborations within eachproject and between projects.

5Grant Program for Community Activities in Japan, Great East
Japan Earthquake “Special Subject”

Grant Program for Community Activities in Japan, Great East
Japan Earthquake “Special Subject”

Kickoff Meeting for Great East Japan Earthquake “Special Subject” Grants (Presentation
Ceremony)Interim Reporting Session for Great East Japan
Earthquake “Special Subject” Grants

quake “Special Subject” Grants was held at Kiratto, the Osaki

The Interim Reporting Session was organized for fiscal 2016❶

Great East Japan Earthquake “Special Subject” grant-recipient

Town Planning Support Center in Osaki, Miyagi Prefecture, on

projects at Riku Café, a community café operated by the non-

Wednesday, April 5, 2017. Approximately 20 people, includ-

profit organization Riku Café in Rikuzentakata, on September

ing those involved in projects and particularly people from22, 2017.

seven fiscal 2016 grant-recipient organizations, attended themeeting. Those from the Osaki Town Planning Support Center

ing, and the difficulties faced in day-to-day activities.

Locations and dates: Rikuzentakata (Iwate Prefecture), September 22, 2017

Locations and dates: Osaki (Miyagi Prefecture), April 5, 2017

The Kickoff Meeting for the fiscal 2016 Great East Japan Earth-institutional framework they were in, the method of fund rais-❷❸

provided a great deal of cooperation in organizing and man-

For its first part, the interim reports were offered by seven
grant-recipient organizations. Each told an account on the❶

progress of the implemented project, with the things thataging the meeting.

have gone well, and those that have not as well. Also shared

The presentation ceremony and social gathering were held atwere what they would like to try in the second half of thea restaurant called Wazen Kitahama near Furukawa Station. ,grant period, and what they aimed to challenge upon it.

In the opening, Mitsuru Ohno, the Secretary General of theDuring the second part, on the theme of “Envisioning the

Toyota Foundation, read out the names of the grant-recipient

Shape of Community After Three Years – What Is To Be Doneorganizations and grant-certificates were handed-over. Subsequently, Kazuma Goto, the Representative Director of
Fukkou Minasan-kai, gave a toast, and they had a good timeenjoying the fine food and drink.

Beyond the Community Building,” given was a case study on

❹

❷

❸

❶ The groupwork. ❷ The presenter told a case. ❸ Riku Café,
the venue.

another area and a group work followed. The work had four

❶ The address by Secretary General Ohno. ❷ Inside theassembly hall in the Furukawa Tokamachi public housing. ❸Inside the assembly hall in the Furukawa Nanokamachi public
housing. ❹ Presentation ceremony and social gathering.

topics, namely: “Relocation Assistance,” “Community Care,”“Motivating Inhabitants,” and “Capacity Building.” The points
actively discussed were from the exchange of information on

Grant Program for Community Activities in Japan

Grant Program for Community Activities in Japan

Community Activities in Japan with the intention of assisting

Interim Reporting Session for 2015 Activity
Grant Recipients

Introductory Survey Design for People Who
Earnestly Want to Understand Issues and Grasp
Needs

in the research activities to be implemented in the future.

Location and dates: Shinjuku-ku (Tokyo), April 23, 2017

each other to learn about the fundamentals of social

for fiscal 2015 “Activity Grants” under the Grant Program for

The Toyota Foundation welcomed Eri Mizutani, President

research.

Community Activities in Japan at the Shinjuku Mitsui Build-and Consultant at Kazetotsubasa Co., Ltd. to run the training

ing. The objective of the Interim Reporting Session wason Introductory Survey Design for People Who Earnestly

mutual learning among the grant recipients to make their

Want to Understand Issues and Grasp Needs at the Shinjuku

individual activities even better by gaining awareness and

Mitsui Building.

Location and dates: Shinjuku-ku (Tokyo), April 15, 2017

The Toyota Foundation held the Interim Reporting Session

knowledge through interaction with other organizations.

❶❷

The training was attended by 25 people from 16 organizations, and the instructor and participants interacted with

The training was planned to coincide with the commence-

The session was attended by a total of 40 people comprised

ment of the grant period for 2016 grant-recipient organiza-of the fiscal 2015 grant recipients of the “Activity Grants” andtions of the “Grant for Survey” under the Grant Program for“Evaluation and Advocacy Grants” as well as the grant recipi-❷

ents of the “Grant for Activity” for fiscal 2016, whose selection
had just been decided.

❶ Poster session. ❷ Examples ofposters on display. ❸ Group work.

6❸❶ Eri Mizutani, the instructor. ❷ Eri Mizutani
speaking with the participants during thetime for reflection. ❸ Jiro Ito from Japan
Youth Network of Suicide Prevention, whoparticipated in the training.

❶

❸

7

Grant Program for Community Activities in Japan

steps of assessing the effectiveness and reviewing the stan-

Toyota NPO College Kaiketsu ‘Problem Solving’
Series of Lectures

dardization and routinization of management, and thenLocation and dates: Nagoya (Aichi Prefecture), May 18-19, June
15, July 13, August 3 and December 28

With the cooperation of Toyota Motor Corporation, theToyota Foundation organized its second Toyota NPO College
Kaiketsu ‘Problem Solving’ series of lectures. Toyota NPO College Kaiketsu is a lecture series for NPO staff to learn about
Toyota Motor’s thinking and methods for “solving problems.”
Five lectures were conducted in total with attendance of 20
people who studied in groups under five lecturers.

presented what they had achieved at the results briefing.
At the results briefing held on November 28, the attendees
were divided into four groups to give their presentations❺

during the first half of the briefing. In the second half of thebriefing, representatives for each group gave an overall presentation on behalf of the group. The four groups had a richvariety of themes, which were “Increasing the Involvement of
Directors in Management” (Yutaka Kiyonaga and Machiko

❻

❼

❽

Kiyonaga, NPO Adjust), “Preventing Losses by Improving 2S❶ Takeo Furuya, lecturer (Project General
Manager, TQM Promotion Division,
Toyota Motor Corporation). ❷ Toyota
Foundation Secretary General Mitsuru
Ohno. ❸ The first round of the lectures.
❹ Commemorative photo taken after the
first round of the lectures. ❺❻ The second
round of the lectures. ❼ Okada giving
the wrap-up presentation. ❽ President
Toyama presented certificates of course
participation to the participants. ❾ Group
photo taken after the presentation ofparticipation certificates. ❿ Kaiketsu
souvenir dorayaki bean-jam pancakes.

for Valuable Assets” (Yoshiko Kitamura and Osamu Kanai,

Problem solving, which is basically a more detailed process

NPO Anata no Machi no “Mikawaya” San), “Increasing theof what is called the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check and Act) cycle

Number of Corporate Visit Members” (Susumu Kaneshige,

comprises eight steps of “selecting themes,” “understanding

NPO school ICT Supporters) and “Stabilization of Revenue tothe present situation,” “setting targets,” “analyzing factors,”

Build a Sustainable Community” (Miho Okada, Rape Crisis“planning countermeasures,” “implementing countermea-

Network). Every organization had implemented the cycle ofsures,” “assessing the effectiveness” and “standardization and“understanding the present situation,” “analyzing factors,”routinization of management.” Toyota Motor’s method is to“planning countermeasures,” “implementing countermea-

eventually summarize these steps into a single A3-sizedsures,” “assessing the effectiveness” and “standardization and(horizontal) sheet of paper.

routinization of management” for six months and reported

The lectures covered the steps up to “planning countermea-

successfully achieving a certain level of success.

sures.” The attendees then implemented the countermea-

According to Okada, who gave a wrap-up presentation, theresures at their own organizations, conducting the subsequent

was initially resistance to quantification of the problems.

❾❿However, quantification and visualization improved allocation of an organization’s resources and also created psychological space, once again allowing a focus on projects thatmake use of the organization’s strengths.
Takeo Furuya, Project General Manager, TQM Promotion Division, Toyota Motor Corporation, who served as a lecturer,
discussed his philosophy that “where there is no vision, there
is no kaiketsu (problem solving)”and explained that problem-solving requires “visualization (problem sharing)” and“groundwork (activities for understanding).”❶

Grant Program for Community Activities in Japan

Charibon at Shinjuku Mitsui Building
Location and dates: Shinjuku (Tokyo), December 19-20, 2017

As an officially certified event for the “Giving December,” theToyota Foundation held the “Charibon at Shinjuku Mitsui
Building” with the cooperation of Shinjuku Mitsui Building
where the Toyota Foundation is housed.
This “Charibon” (charity books) event is a scheme by VALUEBOOKS in which the purchase amount of used books, etc. is❷

donated to NPOs, as an intra-building campaign. Over 1,000
books were collected during the event period. The Foundation donated an equivalent amount to the purchase amount❶and donated the combined total to SAVE TAKATA, Non-Profit
Organization sopa.jp and Japan Association for Refugees,
which are groups registered for Charibon and have received
grants from the Foundation in the past.

❸

8

❹

❶ Photo with Yukari Itaya (center) from Non-Profit Organization
sopa.jp, recipient of a donation. ❷ Over 1,000 books collected during
the event period. ❸ The lobby of Shinjuku Mitsui Building, which❷
served as the venue for Charibon.

❸

9

❻

❼

❽

❶

❷

❸

⓫

❹

⓬

⓭

❾

❿

⓮

❶ The participants experienced a traditional dance in a workshop.
❷ Outdoor discussion ❸ Joined by music, the dialogues
continued until midnight. ❹ A meal in a bamboo house,
where they stayed at night ❺ A stroll around the city center of
Baguio ❻ Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park, which was
designed by Kotchakorn Voraakhom ❼ A discussion at a café inthe park ❽ A visit to a community in a suburb of Bangkok ❾ Avisit to a canal, which is the location of Kotchakorn Voraakhom’s activities ❿ A photo taken at Kotchakorn Voraakhom’s home
⓫ ⓬ The participants experienced activities of Art Inclusion
Japan Association. ⓭ A workshop held at Art Inclusion Japan
Association ⓮ The members participated in Oshiruko Café.

International Grant Program

In January 2018, we visited Baguio, the Philippines for the

As in the previous dialogue in the Philippines, the sessions

Ruins of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and Sendai 3/11

Dialogue Held with Grantees in Baguio, Bangkok,
and Sendai

first dialogue. Hosted by Ayaka Yamashita, who has been

were attended by program officers in charge of the Interna-

Memorial Community Center. In the dialogue sessions in-based in the city, the program was implemented with thetional Grant Program. They exchanged frank opinions about

volving program officers, the grant recipients described the

Location and dates: Baguio (The Philippines), January, 2018,
Bangkok (Thailand), February, 2018, Sendai (Miyagi Prefecture),
March, 2018

participation of three other grant recipients.

the uniqueness of the Grant Program of the Toyota Founda-characteristics of the International Grant Program of thetion, opportunities for interactions between the people in-Toyota Foundation and expressed requests and expectations

volved in the grant projects, and the significance of suchfor the Program from their own point of view. They ex-interactions.

changed opinions while also sharing their experience of vari-

They discussed the significance of direct communications
and exchanges of opinions made by visiting each other’s

In the International Grant Program, we provide grants to re-fields, how to select project members from one’s own coun-cipients in East Asia and Southeast Asia under the theme of

try as well as partners from other countries, the view of un-

The third dialogue was held in Sendai with cooperation from

“Cultivating Empathy through Learning from Our Neighbors:

quantifiable impacts, and other topics. There was an opinion

Yuichi Watanabe and team members of his project, and withThe International Grant Program helps share the issues ofPractitioners’ Exchange on Common Issues in Asia.”that these sessions not only provided the team members of

the participation of four other people involved in grant

Asia beyond national and regional boundaries and the pro-the grant projects with an opportunity to review their own

projects.

cesses of solving them. Through the three dialogue sessions,

In fiscal 2017, we organized a series of dialogue sessions attended by our past and present grantees and people involved in projects. Each dialogue session consisted of several
days of discussions and visits to fields, which also involved

10❺

projects, but also motivated them to learn about the management of other projects and make use of the knowledge
for the initiatives to follow.

They had dialogues at the base of Art Inclusion Japan Association, a general incorporated association headed by Atsushi Kadowaki, who is a contemporary artist. The program

ous projects that had been implemented.

we felt that the operation of diverse projects led the people
involved in them to collaborate in the fields beyond nationaland regional boundaries and obtain inspiration and makenew discoveries from the collaborations.

program officers. Through the dialogues, the participants

The second was held in Bangkok, hosted by Kotchakorn

also included visits to facilities as fields of projects, including

shared a wide range of experiences and knowledge, includ-

Voraakhom. Joined by three other grantees, we held sessions

disaster public housing in Asutonagamachi, where the mem-

A report on the series of three dialogues is available on theing the challenges faced by the participants in their projects

at Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park, which was de-bers participated in Oshiruko Café, a session for enjoying

official website of the Toyota Foundation. It is also delivered

and the important lessons they learned.

signed by Kotchakorn Voraakhom, and a community along a

cooking and eating oshiruko (sweet red bean soup servedin the form of a booklet.

canal in a suburb, which is one of the fields of her project.

with mochi rice cake); Sendai Arahama Elementary School as

11Grant Award Ceremony of theInternational Grant Program
Location: Shinjuku-ku(Tokyo), October 23

❸

❶

❷

❹

Research Grant Program・Grant Program for Community Activities in Japan

Grant Award Ceremony of the Research Grant Program and Grant Program for Community Activities
in Japan❺❶ Toyota Foundation President Atsuko Toyama. ❷Akira Suehiro, chair of the International Grant Program’s
Selection Committee. ❸ Former grant recipients
Mio Nogawa(Left) and Tomoyo Mizutani. ❹ Toyota
Foundation President Atsuko Toyama presents the grantcertificates. ❺ Commemorative photograph taken with
grant recipients.

Fiscal 2017 Editions of the Toyota Foundation’s Publicity Newsletter JOINT (Japanese Only)
Three times a year the Toyota Foundation publishes the publicity newsletter JOINT to convey its activities and viewpoints to as many
readers as possible.

Location: Shinjuku-ku(Tokyo), April 14

❶

❹

❷

❸

❺

JOINT No.24

JOINT No.25

JOINT No.26“Toward a Multicultural Society”“How to Utilize Local Resources”“Agriculture as a Culture”

People from diverse cultural backgrounds
and roots live together in the society. Whatcan we do to create a society where
people recognize mutual differences but
do not discriminate against each otherand anyone can live comfortably? This issue’s special feature collected firsthandvoices from people working in the frontlines to create a rich multicultural society.

A Topic of Local resources is in common
between three grant programs of the
Toyota Foundation. This issue features
field reports on various projects that find
new value in resources inherent in local
regions and act to utilize the resources
and pass them down to future generations. It introduces diverse initiatives forsolving issues in local communities.

Agriculture is attracting renewed attention. Attempts are being made in various
places to review agriculture as a culturethat is integrated with people’s lives andbusinesses, as well as to revitalize it as anindustry. In the beginning of the New
Year, this issue introduces such enthusiasm for agriculture and activities.

❶ Toshio Kuwako, chair of the Research Grant Program’s Selection Committee. ❷ Natsuko Hagiwara, chair of the Grant Program for Community Activities
in Japan’s Selection Committee. ❸ Former grant recipients Takumi Hirose(Left) and Takayuki Kitamura. ❹ Commemorative photograph (Research Grant
Program). ❺ Commemorative photograph (Grant Program for Community Activities in Japan).

1213Grant Results( ) Fiscal 2016

Report on Grant-related Activities

Research Grant Program
Program Title: “Exploring New Values for Society”
Summary
Public Notification Period: May 1 to September 8, 2017

Number ofApplications

Number of Grants

Value of Grants(¥ Million)

Budget(¥ Million)

Acceptance Rate(%)(A) Joint Research Grants

452 (429)

18 (17)

83.7 (74.2)

80.0 (80.0)

4.0 (4.0)(B) Individual Research
Grants393 (449)

13 (23)16.3 (25.8)

20.0 (20.0)

3.3 (5.1)

Total

845 (878)

31 (40)100.0 (100.0)

100.0 (100.0)

3.7 (4.6)

Grant Periods: One year or two years beginning May 1, 2018
Grant Category: Category A: Joint Research Grants
Category B: Individual Research Grants
Grant Amount: (A) Joint Research Grants: Up to around 4 million yen per year(B) Individual Research Grants: Up to around 1 million yen per year

It is strongly hoped that these reports will be read by as many

submitted new grant proposals as leaders or members of joint

people as possible, and that eventually, based on these reports,

research projects.

new research achievements will be made by next-generation
researchers who aim to explore “New Values for Society.”

Among the thirty-one projects selected for the research grant
program in this fiscal year, an overwhelming majority oftwenty-nine projects are led by researchers who are in their

Overview

Conducting Research Free from Existing
Frameworks

forties or younger. In one case, a 43-year-old researcher leads

the grants.

Research Grant Program for Fiscal 2017a project that includes members ranging broadly in ages from

The invitation to the public attracted many proposals from

Comments by Selection Committee Chair
Toshio Kuwako

their twenties to their seventies.

within and outside Japan, with the total number of proposals
As in the previous fiscal year, the Research Grant Program

amounting to 845. Reflecting the growing need to acquire re-

The Toyota Foundation has adopted Exploring New Values for

Of course, we have also selected many excellent proposals

was entitled “Exploring New Values for Society” in fiscal 2017.

search budgets externally in recent years at universities andSociety as the theme for its Research Grant Program, pinningfrom young researchers for the individual research grants in-

The program supports ambitious domestic and overseas re-research institutions in various countries around world, theour hopes on people who have set their sights on research tocluding three bold proposals for projects submitted by gradu-

searchers who seek new values for society by fundamentally

number of proposals from abroad has been increasing rapidly.

seek out new values that will illuminate the future of a world

ate students.

exploring basic philosophies and arts to address difficult is-

In fiscal 2017, proposals from organizations represented bycurrently in upheaval, amid the trend of fading passion forsues to be faced by future society; issues that are on a global

non-Japanese persons accounted for two-thirds of the total.

sublime idea common to all humankind and heightened incli-

In today’s gender-equal society, there are high expectations ofnation to self-centered individuals and nations.

female researchers. On this occasion, nine of the eighteen

scale; issues that transcend generations; and nascent problems
that will only fully manifest themselves in the future.

As noted in the following comments by the selection committee chair, members of the Selection Committee comprised of

Obviously, the foundation expects excellent research out-

In fiscal 2017 again, the Foundation called for grant projects

external experts evaluated the excellent proposals by young

comes that deliver on the theme of Exploring New Values for

There is yet another matter worthy of special mention. Re-

from parties in various fields including universities and re-researchers highly. In particular, proposals for joint researchSociety and contribute to society from such a perspective.

search aimed at the theme of Exploring New Values for Soci-search institutions, NPOs and NGOs, regardless of the types

grants were evaluated, and they included some proposals

However, this is not the only aim of the Toyota Foundation

ety tends to be biased toward the humanities and socialof organizations they belong to or whether or not they belong

from those who had received individual research grants previ-

research grants. Another important goal of the research grantsciences. However, it is not possible for researchers in otherto any organization.

ously, developed the results of the research and submitted new

program is to support grant recipients to significantly develop

fields such as medicine or science and engineering to avoid

research plans, which were highly acclaimed. This was appre-

as researchers who are able to contribute to society by advanc-involvement with society. The tendency has been to entrust

As in the previous fiscal year, the Foundation held open work-

ciated by the Selection Committee as an achievement froming their own projects.

researchers in the humanities and social sciences with re-shops, which consisted mainly of research presentations bygrants under past programs and follow-up activities of pro-

grant recipients and discussions with experts, around the start

gram officers. As a result of a review by the Selection Commit-

Now that the selection process for this fiscal year has finished,projects that, while including researchers in these fields, areof the call for proposals. Through these workshops, the Foun-tee, a total of 31 projects were submitted to the meeting of the

I am above all conscious of the fact that the researchers run-led by researchers working in medicine or nursing care.

dation strived to convey program objectives and disseminate

Board of Directors and adopted as grant projects for fiscal

ning the selected projects are definitely younger than in thethe results of previous projects. In fiscal 2017, the workshop

2017.

past. When we carry out the annual selection for the research

As usual, the foundation received many proposals from both

grant program, we always pin our hopes on finding promising

Japan and overseas. The Toyota Foundation Research Grant

was held at a venue in Fukuoka for the first time, as well as in

14

projects selected for joint research grants are led by women.

search involving society, but this time, we have also selectedTokyo. The workshops were attended by people who have al-Concerning projects whose grant periods have expired, only

young researchers. In the past their proposals tended to focus

Program is noted for attracting many proposals from otherready received grants from the Toyota Foundation, as well as

the outlines of their reports used to be compiled in a booklet

on the individual research grants, but in this fiscal year, we

countries, but it is remarkable how many Japanese researchers

those considering application to the program. For those whoand disclosed on the website. Starting from fiscal 2017, thehad many excellent proposals for joint research grants. The

are working on projects overseas. The increase in the forms ofattended, the workshops presumably served as an opportunity

full text of each report is disclosed on the website (only grant

final selection includes past recipients of individual researchinternational collaboration is unmistakable.

to obtain hints as well as motivation for acquiring or utilizing

projects from fiscal 2015 or later).

grants who have now developed their research outcomes and

15

The selection committee evaluates the content of the researchdiverse fields. We want applicants to keep such considerations

design submitted with each proposal, but we also pay atten-

in mind and to design innovative projects that bring together

tion to the structure of the project teams in the expectation

researchers from different fields when submitting proposals tothat new research will emerge out of collaboration acrossthe research grant program.

Project Title
Representative

Position, Organization

Grant
Amount (Yen)(A) Joint Research Grants
D17-R-0783

Community Project for Research, Preservation and Transmission of the History of Japanese Immigration in Northeastern
MexicoShinji Hirai Northeastern Unit, Center for Research and Advanced Studies in Social Anthropology, Mexico/ Dean

6,000,000

D17-R-0837

Construction of a Social System in which Ebola Survivors Do Not Become Socially Vulnerable
Tokiko Watanabe Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo/ Project Associate Professor

5,100,000

List of Grants(B) Individual Research Grants

Research Grant Program

D17-R-0088

Receptivity and Innovation: Is the public’s openness to novelty always conduvice to aggregate innovation?
Yuichi Furukawa School of Economics, Chukyo University/ Professor

1,400,000

D17-R-0128

India’s Biometric Identity Project: Data privacy and new social values for wider society in the information age
Pawan Deep Singh Faculty of Arts and Education, Deakin University/ New Generation Network Scholar

800,000

D17-R-0143

Functions of Personality and Diversity within a Group: Testing using model organisms and ecological big data
Yuma Takahashi Graduate School of Science, Chiba University/ Assistant Professor

1,400,000

3,300,000

D17-R-0147

Beyond Demagogues and Deplorables: Transforming populist rhetoric for participatory futures
Nicole Curato Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance, University of Canberra/ Senior Research Fellow

1,600,000

D17-R-0149

The Practical Possibilities of Compromise Between Chauvinism and Internationalism: A clarification of contemporary developments of the right of natural communication through the case study of the North America
Natsuko Matsumori School of International Relations, University of Shizuoka/ Associate Professor

800,000

D17-R-0183

What Happened to “Failed” ODA Projects?: A long-term evaluation of development project from a inter-dependency
perspective
Jin Sato Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, The University of Tokyo/ Professor

1,600,000

D17-R-0454

Knowledge in Migration: Deskilling and skill development among Indonesian care workers in the Netherlands
Maggi Leung Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University/ Associate Professor

1,400,000

Grant
NumberProject Title
Representative

Position, Organization

Grant
Amount (Yen)(A) Joint Research Grants
D17-R-0108"Reciting" the Cosmology of Life and Death in Medieval Java: The qualitative shift of relief interpretation by audiovisual narrativeand its potential for cultural transmission
Akiko Nozawa Graduate School of Humanities, Nagoya University/ Postdoctral Researcher

D17-R-0265

Seeking Nuclear Justice: International survey and comparison of compensation measures/systems for the victims of nuclear tests
Seiichiro Takemine School of Humanities, Meisei University/ Associate Professor

6,200,000

D17-R-0293

Transnational Innovation and the Future of Work in the Rural American Midwest
Shaowen Bardzell School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington/Associate
Professor

2,300,000

D17-R-0362

Educational Values for a Sustainable Society: Head, Hands, Heart, and Happiness in Bhutan and beyond
Matthew Schuelka School of Education, University of Birmingham/ Lecturer

5,600,000

D17-R-0421

The Southeast Asian Haze Crisis: Public values as a pathway towards constructive cross-border sentiments and engagement
Matthew Ashfold School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus/ Associate
Professor

2,800,000

D17-R-0498

Remaking of Communities at the Edge of Capitalist Frontiers: An ethnographic case study of displacement in Mozambique
Kei Otsuki Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University/ Assistant Professor

1,500,000

D17-R-0506

Moral Molecules: How new values are created
Oliver Scott Curry Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Oxford/ Senior Researcher

6,200,000

D17-R-0566

Succession and Reconsturuction of Festivals/Folk Performing Arts in Overaged and Depopulated Communities: Focusing
on the role of mediator between inhabitants, out-migrants, incomers, and volunteers
Shunsuke Takeda School of Human Cultures, The University of Shiga Prefecture/ Lecturer

1,200,000

D17-R-0535

The Rise of Digital Farming: Investigating the role of social interaction and values in the “new agricultural revolution”
Oane Visser International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam/ Associate Professor

6,200,000
D17-R-0650

1,000,000

A Pursuit of Healthcare Promoting Well-being in Fukushima: Towards the full recovery from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear
power plant accident
Akihiko Ozaki Department of Surgery, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital/ Associate Director

1,000,000

The Immanent Comprehension and the Expression of the Sensibilities of the Others: A cultural anthropological approach to
Peruvian modern gastronomy
Shu Fujita Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo/ Graduate student

D17-R-0669

800,000

A Phenomenological Research Toward the Formation of New Concepts to Understand the Experience of Chronic Illness: A
different perspective from medical cure or management
Shiori Sakai Graduate School of Human Health Sciences,Tokyo Metropolitan University/ Researcher

5,300,000

Reconfiguration of Power Relationship in the Global Governance of Refugee Protection: The role of the global civil society
network, APRRNWon Geun Choi Department of Political Science, University of Hawaii at Manoa/ Graduate student

D17-R-0780

1,400,000

D17-R-0575

Designing the Concept of Community Continuity Planning (CCP) for Disaster Recovery
Eiichiro Kudo Department of Commerce, Seinan Gakuin University/ Professor

3,100,000

How Can We Talk about Coal Mines?: A folklore study through learning, listening, thinking, and talking with local residents
in Chikuh_, a former coal mining area in Japan
Akari Kawamatsu Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo/ Graduate student
What is the Value of “Wild”?: Case studies of recreational hunting in Hokkaido, Japan and Hawaii, USA
Akito Yasuda Faculty of Arts and Science, Kyushu University/ Associate Professor

1,400,000

5,200,000

D17-R-0787

D17-R-0635

A Study on Value Structure of Shrine Space for the Disaster Risk Reduction on Nankai Megathrust Earthquake
Tomoki Takada Department of Civil Engineering, Kobe City College of Technology/ Associate Professor

D17-R-0678

Development of “Narrative Video Archive” for the Empowerment of Students with Disabilities
Yoko Setoyama Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical University/ Assistant Professor

5,700,000

D17-R-0709

Bottom-up Approach to Land Concession in Vietnam: Strengthening effective small and medium enterprises
Nghiem Thi Phuong Tuyen Central Institute for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Vietnam National University,
Hanoi/ Senior Researcher

4,800,000

D17-R-0714

Open Preservation of Historical Wooden Furniture as Cultural Heritage in Use: A study of a new concept of cultural heritage and the practice of its preservation and reuse
Misako Mishima The Kyushu University Museum/ Associate Professor

5,100,000

D17-R-0761

Exploring “Atoll Resilience” :Strategy of the oceanic atoll to survive weather disaster chain
Naoko Fukayama Faculty of Urban Liberal Arts, Tokyo Metropolitan University/ Associate Professor

3,800,000

D17-R-0770“Children Born of Asian Pacific War”: Study of Japanese fathered children under Japanese military occupation of Southeast
and East Asia during the Second World War
Kaori Maekawa Netherlands Foundation for War Victims in the East: Japanese Archives and Contacts (SOO)/ Representative
Director

6,000,000

D17-R-0540

D17-R-0563

16

Grant
Number17

Grant Results( ) Fiscal 2016

Report on Grant-related Activities

International Grant Program
Program Title: “Cultivating Empathy Through Learning from Our Neigh-bors: Practitioners’ Exchange on Common Issues in Asia”

Number ofApplications

Number of Grants

Value of Grants(¥ Million)

Budget(¥ Million)

Acceptance Rate(%)

328(211)16(18)

100.0 (100.0)

100.0 (100.0)

4.9(8.5)

In the grant-making program, we pursue a practical, future-ori-setting fieldwork and mutual exchanges of local practitioners asented international grant based on the four perspectives of

essential requirements, the number of applications declined to“Transnational,” ”Cross Sector,” “Mutual Learning” and ”Fore-just 68 in fiscal 2015. In addition, project designs also showed aGrant Periods: One year (Nov 2017 – Oct 2018) or Two years (Nov 2017 – Oct 2019)sight,” and carry out follow-up activities continuously and indi-

tendency to move toward content that stayed away from origi-

Thematic Areas: A. Multigenerational and Multicultural Inclusion in Communities

vidually for grant projects. We would also like to hold andnality and risks. Given these circumstances, the Foundation

B. Creating New Culture: Toward a Common Platform for Asia

participate in symposiums, international conferences and otherdecided to comprehensively review the policy in fiscal 2016,

C. Open Field

similar events and proactively deliver the knowledge we haveafter discussions with stakeholders. Specifically, while main-

obtained as a private foundation in Japan to various countries

taining the policies on the theme (Cultivating Empathy

around the world, including Japan.

Through Learning from Our Neighbors: Practitioners’ Ex-

Summary
Public Notification Period: March 24 to June 20, 2017

Grant Amount: a) One-year project: Up to around 5,000,000 yen per projectb) Two-year project: Up to around 10,000,000 yen per projectchange on Common Issues in Asia) and the target countries

Overview:

Pursuing a Practical, Future-Oriented International Grant

In fiscal 2018, we plan to evaluate our grant-related activities

and regions (a total of 18 countries and regions in East Asia andis possible only when people from different fields gather. Hope-from the past five years that were carried out under the theme ofSoutheast Asia) in fiscal 2015, the committee has decided to

fully, the workshop served as an opportunity for the participants“Practitioners’ Exchange on Common Issues in Asia” by review-

expand the thematic areas into three: (A) Multigenerational

to build new relationships.

ing them comprehensively in preparation for the development ofand Multicultural Inclusion in Communities, (B) Creating New

a new grant-making program for the next fiscal year andCulture: Toward a Common Platform for Asia and (C) Open

thereafter.

Field.

In fiscal 2017, the International Grant Program upheld the baseOn the other hand, there were numerous proposals, mainly

theme that has been maintained since fiscal 2014, which is “Cul-among those from overseas countries, which were believed totivating Empathy through Learning from Our Neighbors: Practi-

have been prepared by people who do not necessarily understandtioners’ Exchange on Common Issues in Asia.” As in preceding

the vision of the Program. In response, we held sessions for in-fiscal years, the Program covered a total of 18 countries and re-tensive discussions between past grant recipients and program

gions in East Asia, including Japan, and Southeast Asia. Special

officers from the Toyota Foundation on the key points of the

focus was placed on promoting onsite visits and exchanges be-

grants and the significance of the activities. The sessions were

tween local practitioners on the ground in two or more coun-

held in the Philippines (Baguio) in January 2018, in Thailand

Outline of 2017 International Grant Programculture common to Asia” has emerged due partly to the rise oftries, with an emphasis on mutual learning among multiple(Bangkok) in February of the same year, and in Japan (Sendai) in

Since its inception in 1974, the Toyota Foundation has beensocial media. We thought that these developments would pro-March. The contents of the discussions are published in the form

administering international grant programs with a focus onvide a common base for people to address issues facing Asianof a booklet (Japanese/English) and is available on the Founda-

Southeast Asian countries. Starting in fiscal 2009, it has pro-societies with empathy.

Specific thematic areas remained the same from the previous fis-tion’s website. By reading this booklet together with the applica-

vided grants through its Asian Neighbors Program to projects

cal year, when drastic changes were made. Namely, these are thetion guidelines, you will have a better understanding of the intent

aiming to solve specific problems in countries and regions in

Below, let me explain the three thematic areas briefly. In area A,

three areas of (A) Multigenerational and Multicultural Inclusionand concept of the International Grant Program.

Asia.

the Foundation intends to select projects that will address acountries and demonstrating the results of the learning.

There were two factors behind the expansion of the thematicInternational Grant Program for Fiscal 2017

Comments by Selection Committee Chair
Akira Suehiro

18

new culture has gotten underway in areas such as film, music,
theatrical performance and food culture in Asia, and the otheris that a new movement that could be called the “creation of

in Communities, (B) Creating New Culture and (C) Open Field.
As a result, reflecting the penetration of the vision of the Pro-

areas: One is that an initiative to review traditions and create agroup of pressing issues facing local communities in Asia, inIn addition to the above, as in the previous fiscal year, we col-Across Asia, economies have developed and living standards

cluding, but not limited to, the two themes which the we have

gram, we received 328 applications, more than 1.5 times thelected and provided a wide range of information by taking ad-

have improved. At the same time, though, many countries andbeen focusing on since fiscal 2013; that is, the aging society andnumber in the previous year, from a range of Asian countries. A

vantage of our network with related organizations from nonprofit

regions face the same challenges as Japan, including aging soci-the multicultural society. Next, the Foundation has defined area

total of 16 projects were selected from among them.

sectors of various countries. We also provided research assistanceeties and lower birthrates, growing economic inequality, andB, expecting highly motivated projects that will present a fertile

to the Doing Good Index, a study on public-interest activities infrequent natural disasters. In fiscal 2013, the Toyota Founda-vision of Asia’s future in fields such as film, music, theatrical

The selected projects comprised five from area (A), five from (B),

15 countries and regions of Asia conducted by the Centre fortion changed the name of the program from the Asia Neighbors

performance and food culture. Lastly in area C, we had it inand six from (C), whose activity themes were as diverse as im-

Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS), which conducts re-

Program to the International Grant Program, and in fiscal

mind that applicants themselves would freely select an area andmigration, peacebuilding, traditional vegetables, bamboo, com-

search and provides advisory services on philanthropy in Hong2015, adopted an approach of actively supporting projects seek-

make proposals about issues that are not included in the othermunity art, drama, climate change, ecosystem conservation,

Kong. Further, we participated in a conference on development

ing to propose future-oriented policies on these issues.

two areas or that would straddle them.

organic farming and others. The members of all of these projects

and philanthropy held at the OECD in Paris as the only founda-gathered for the workshop that was held on the day following thetion from Japan and reported on the situations in Japan and East

However, as a result of the decision to focus the target themes

The basic policy in fiscal 2017 is the same as that in fiscal 2016.

Grant Award Ceremony. They had lively discussions in a way that

Asia overall.

on two fields of an aging society and a multicultural society andHowever, as mentioned in the comments by the chair of the19fiscal 2016 International Grant Program, there were relatively

grants (whether they are accepted or not) has become an im-

over 300 proposals, and I take this opportunity to sincerely

English, even if the idea is fascinating. Therefore, with respect

few applications that truly impressed committee members withportant factor in evaluating the academic work of researchers atconvey my appreciation for their efforts.

to proposals in English, the committee has decided to place

their unbridled and groundbreaking ideas in fiscal 2016. Based

universities, etc. in the both countries, in addition to the efforts

on our reflection that the Toyota Foundation failed to ade-of program officers (POs) of the Toyoda Foundation. For thisConclusion

projects in the selection process in the next fiscal year in orderquately convey the goals of the program, the Foundation has

reason, we did not necessarily receive many high-quality pro-

In fiscal 2017, as in the previous year, the Selection Committee

to reduce any bias. In the final stage, however, the committee

clearly stated its purport of “hoping for more challenging proj-

posals from the both countries, and this has resulted in a large

selected proposals, bearing in mind the aim of the International

will focus on the content, including the clarity of methods andects” in the proposal guidelines in fiscal 2017.

gap between the distribution of applicants by country and that

Grant Program of the Toyota Foundation, which aims to pro-concept in the application forms.

of selected proposals by country.

mote practical, future-oriented projects, distinct from grants-

more emphasis on the distinctiveness and future possibilities of

in-aid for scientific research of the Ministry of Education,

Another point is that projects that would use the web and build

As a result of inviting applications by clearly stating the inten-

Selection Results

Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) and thea platform as a form of dissemination stood out in fiscal 2017.

tions, the Toyota Foundation received 328 proposals in fiscal

The Selection Committee comprised six members including

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), which aim

The problem is that a considerable amount has been budgeted

2017, a significant increase from the 211 proposals received in

the committee chair, as in fiscal 2016. As in previous years, theto promote academic research. All the committee members hadin these areas. It would have been acceptable 10 years ago, but it

the previous year. By thematic area, we received 84 proposals

committee gave particular attention to the following points

the impression that the quality of the content of applications

is not so difficult in the present day to establish a website and(26%) for area A (Multigenerational and Multicultural Inclu-

when screening proposals: (1) whether and to what extent the

had improved from the previous year, as a result of the decisionbuild a platform, in terms of both human resources and pro-sion in Communities), 86 proposals (26%) for area B (Creating

project fits the thematic focus; the adequateness of the theme

to clearly indicate the objectives in selecting applications andduction cost. What is more important is what the project tries

New Culture) and 158 proposals (48%) for area C (Open Field).

set up, (2) the significance of mutual exchange at the practicalthe efforts of the POs of the Toyota Foundation to provide ex-

to deliver and to whom and how by using the web and social

While the number of proposals was up 55% from fiscal 2016,

level, (3) the soundness of the project’s implementation struc-planations in each location.

media. The Foundation has decided to ask applicants to makethe distribution of thematic areas has changed little. As in fiscal

ture and members, and (4) the impact of deliverables and policy

2016, many of proposals in the open field overlapped social

recommendations. In addition, regarding thematic area B, theHere, allow me to mention two points that emerged in the se-themes also covered in thematic area A, including disaster pre-committee decided to take a flexible approach for each project

lection process. The first is the bias of project candidates tovention, environmental conservation, and the construction of

based on its content without setting uniform standards when

Japan (or Japanese as an applicant representative), and the

an inclusive society.

considering such factors as the member structure and how de-other is a tendency toward diversification in the form of dis-liverables are to be announced.

semination using social media, etc.

media in mutual exchanges and the presentation of deliver-

Based on the above guidelines, the Selection Committee met

The bias to Japan (Japanese) is also a reflection of the bias ofables. These were found in expressions such as “building ofafter each committee member conducted a peer review of theapplication forms to the Japanese language. Except for some

platforms using the Internet” in an application form. This was aapplication forms. As a result, 16 projects were selected, and thelimited countries and regions, English is neither a native lan-dominant form of dissemination common to almost all selected

selection rate was 4.9% (8.5% in fiscal 2016), reflecting a strin-

guage nor an official language. For this reason, difficulty usually

proposals, whether or not they use existing patterns such as thegent process given that the number of applications had in-arises when it comes down to expressing the proposal inholding of an international workshop and the preparation andcreased. In terms of the thematic areas covered by the projects,

printing of its record (publication).

five projects were in A, five in B and six in C. The choice of an

Overview of Applications

this point clearer in their application forms in the next fiscal
year.

What were different from fiscal 2016 were the use of social

almost equal number of projects for each thematic area was
Looking at the distribution of applicants (representatives) bypurely a result of discussions based on the content; the commit-

country, 107 proposals (33%), the largest number among thetee did not make any adjustment.

328 proposals, were from Japan, followed by 75 from Malaysia,

20

50 from Indonesia, 13 from the Philippines, 12 from Thailand,With regard to the target countries and regions covered by the

10 from Vietnam, 8 from South Korea, 7 each from China andprojects (multiple countries and regions involved in a single

Australia and 4 each from Taiwan, Myanmar and Singapore. By

project are counted individually), 11 were focused on Japan,

region, 170 proposals (52%), more than half of the total, camefollowed by 6 on South Korea, 4 on Indonesia and the Philip-

from Southeast Asia, 23 from East Asia excluding Japan, 4 frompines, 3 on Taiwan, 2 on China, Vietnam and Myanmar and 1

South Asia and 24 from North and South Americas andeach on Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia andEurope.

Timor-Leste.

Compared with fiscal 2016, the absolute number of proposals

In addition, the vigorous efforts of the POs of the Toyota Foun-from Japan increased from 84 to 107, but its percentage de-dation to identify potential projects, consult applicants in ad-clined from 40% to 33%. The main reason for the particularlyvance of their application, and collect additional materials andlarge number of proposals coming from Malaysia and Indone-

seek out opinions about project candidates were of great help. It

sia appears to be that a track record of applications for research

was a demanding task to carefully scrutinize the paperwork for21

Report on Grant-related Activities

List of Grants

International Grant Program
Grant
NumberProject Title
Representative

Position, Organization

Grant
Amount (Yen)

Development of supporting social independence for disabled children through sports in Japan and China as the first step
toward Asia wise program

7,000,000

Summary

Atsuko Ohama President, Non-Profit Corporation Smile Club

D17-N-0097
D17-N-0125
D17-N-0126
D17-N-0238

Capturing Multiethnic Japan: Foreign Students and Japanese Learning to Live Together
Dipesh Kharel Researcher, The University of Tokyo
Locating Peace through Diversity: the Cases of Thailand’s Deep South and Indonesia’s Aceh Province
Napisa Waitoolkiat Director, College of ASEAN Community Studies, Naresuan University
Policy recommendations to be made by migrants through proactive exchange and learning among migrants in Japan and Korea
Toshihiro Menju Managing Director, Japan Center for International Exchange
Through Visual Expressions: Retrieving Confidence within Marriage Migrant Women
Yun Ju Chou Freelance Art Programmer

Program Title: “Creating Sustainable Communities with Future Lead-ers: Fostering Local Based Social Ventures”

A. Multigenerational and Multicultural Inclusion in Communities
D17-N-0030

Grant Program for Community Activities in Japan7,500,000
4,500,000
6,500,000
4,500,000

Grant Amount :100 million yen
Grant Category: A. Grants for Survey
B. Grants for Activity
Grant Amounts: Up to 1 million yen for Category A: Grants for Survey
No limitation for Category B: Grants for Activity (5.19 million yen in average last three years)
Grant Periods: Category A: Grants for Survey: One year beginning April 1, 2018
Category B: Grants for Activity: Two years beginning April 1, 2018
*Because this program is limited to activities in Japan, the information regarding grant proposals is only in Japanese.

B. Creating New Culture: Toward a Common Platform for Asia
D17-N-0038

The Preservation and Bonds of Japan, Korea, and Taiwan’s “Forest with Traditions” that connects the seas, villages, rivers,and mountains
Choonja Lee Part‐time Lecturer, Kobe Women’s University

6,000,000

D17-N-0107

Developing East Asian model for utilization of genetic resources and related traditional knowledge in Japan, China,
and Korea: Practices on traditional vegetables and beekeeping
Ryo Kohsaka Professor, Tohoku University Graduate school of Environmental Studies

5,000,000

D17-N-0155

Network-building and Bamboo Workshop manual making towards redefining the value of traditional lifestyle in rural
Japan, Philippines and Myanmar
Ayaka Yamashita Director, EDAYA

4,200,000

D17-N-0256

Community art project between afflicted areas of Japan and Aceh
Yuichi Watanabe Secretary General, The Laboratory for Global Dialogue

D17-N-0257

Reclaiming the joys of agriculture through theater: connecting rural landscapes in Asia
Kenichi Abe Professor, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature

22

Activity” category, and one proposal in the “Grants for Dis-

Aiming to Create Participatory Mechanisms

semination and Advocacy” category. Among the proposals selected in the “Grants for Activity” category, there were two

7,000,000
7,500,000

C. Open Field
D17-N-0048

Establishing a Platform for the East Asian Inclusive City Network: From divided to inclusive cities
Hong-Gyu Jeon Vice Director and Professor, Osaka City University Urban Research Plaza

7,300,000

D17-N-0049

Finding Best Practices for Tackling Climate Change: Increasing Urban Resilience in Southeast Asian Cities
Kotchakorn Voraakhom CEO and Founder, Porous City Network

7,000,000

D17-N-0160

Implementation of Art-Environmental Education events and development of teaching material in Cambodia and
Myanmar: Toward learning and solving problems on garbage problem
Hidetaka Nakamura Executive Director, Social Compass

4,500,000

D17-N-0185

Building joint research network for promoting basic education and literacy in Asia
Takamichi Uesugi President, Japanese Society for the Study of Basic Education and Literacies

7,000,000

D17-N-0250

A community-oriented and watershed-based approach for harmonizing environmental conservation and regional
economy in Indonesia, Philippines and Japan
Ryohei Kada Professor, Shijonawate Gakuen University

7,300,000

Advancing sustainable organic farming in Asia: A focus on Japan, Philippines and Vietnam
Yuka Matsushima Co-Founder and Vice President, CROSS FIELDS

7,200,000

D17-N-0280

Overview:

In fiscal 2017, as in the previous year, proposals were solicitedprojects to which it was decided to provide “Grants for Activ-

for the Grant Program for Community Activities in Japanity” based on the results of studies conducted through “Grants

under the theme of “Creating Sustainable Communities withfor Survey” in the previous fiscal year. At the Selection Com-

Future Leaders: Fostering Local Based Social Ventures” thatmittee, there was a high rating for the fact that the structure of

was established in fiscal 2014 in order to build sustainable com-the problem and the parties involved had been firmly identified

munities that match local characteristics and where people canthrough the “Grants for Survey,” and high hopes for the projectrelish happiness.

outcomes were voiced.

This year, the Foundation newly established the category of

The Foundation held training and workshops based on its de-“Grants for Dissemination and Advocacy” with the aim ofsire to achieve even better results during a period that is limited

transforming social structures and values by bringing about

to one or two years by reworking project plans toward the de-changes in policy planning and social awareness by way of thesired form at the beginning of the grant period. Eri Mizutani

project strategy planning and project implementation phases, afrom Kazetotsubasa Co., Ltd. served as the instructor for themechanism which has been limited to grant-recipients in the“Grants for Survey” category, and Daisuke Tsutsumi from Pu-

past. This new grant category is in addition to “Grants for Sur-

bliCo.inc served as the instructor for the “Grants for Activity”

vey” that provide grants for preliminary surveys and the plan-

category.

ning of business strategies, and “Grants for Activity” thatprovide grants for full-on implementation of projects.

On April 13, the Foundation held the Fiscal 2017 Grant Award
Ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo. The following day on

Through solicitation, a total of 171 proposals were received forApril 14, we held the “Fiscal 2016 Grant Recipients Interim Re-“Grants for Survey,” a total of 230 proposals were received for

porting Session” for the “Grants for Activity” category in a con-“Grants for Activity” and a total of three proposals were re-ference room at the Shinjuku Mitsui Building. At the reporting

ceived for “Grants for Dissemination and Advocacy.” Throughsession, nine groups that had received a “Grant for Activity”

the Selection Committee and the Board of Directors, the Foun-

reported on the contents of the initiatives they had imple-

dation decided on providing grants to 16 proposals in themented over the past year and challenges they faced in the im-“Grants for Survey” category, 10 proposals in the “Grants for

plementation of projects one year after the commencement of23

Report on Grant-related Activities
Grant Results( ) Fiscal 2016

Grants for Survey

Number ofApplications

Number of Grants

Value of Grants(¥ Million)

171(199)

16(16)

16.0(15.6)

Budget(¥ Million)

Acceptance Rate(%)

9.4(8.0)
100.0 (100.0)

Grants for Activity

230 (240)

10 (10)66.0 (69.5)

Total

401 (439)

26 (26)82.0 (85.2 )100.0 (100.0)

6.5 (5.9)

3

1

5.0

-

33.3

4.3 (4.2)（Communication with Society Progam）

Grants for Dissemination
and Advocacy

the grant period in fiscal 2016. The Foundation held the session

The report not only covered the contents of the activities imple-

with the objective of improving project strategies through dis-mented by each of the project teams but also focused on thecussions in the group work and other activities. In addition tochanges brought about in the communities and people as a re-the groups that were giving their reports, 23 groups fromsult of the activities.

among the grant recipients in the fiscal 2017 “Grants for Survey” and the “Grants for Activity” categories took part and Hi-

In preparing the report, the Secretary General also reflected ondeto Kawakita from the International Institute for Human,the fiscal 2014 program. In particular, it was affirmed that cre-Organization and the Earth (IIHOE) attended as aating mechanisms to facilitate participation by diverse groupscommentator.

in building sustainable communities is important from the perspective of fostering leaders. In fiscal 2018 and beyond, the24

Initiative Program

As fiscal 2017 marked the final year of the grant period for theFoundation hopes to investigate and translate these perspec-

fiscal 2014 grant recipients, the Foundation published a prog-

tives into the improvement of programs with an awareness ofress report that summarized the results of each grant recipient.

creating participatory mechanisms.

This program carries out planned funding for joint supportetc.) of non-profit sectors in Asian countries conducted by the

projects with other organizations, projects that have great sig-organizations that participated in the International Conferencenificance for private-sector foundations to support and projects

on Asian Non-Profit Sectors (ICANS) held in fiscal 2015. It was

run in combination with the Toyota Foundation’s own surveys

the second year the grants were provided as a follow-up activity

and study-group meetings, among other projects.

of the Conference.

In fiscal 2017, the Foundation provided assistance to projects

The Foundation determined that the community building pro-for NPOs and community foundations to strengthen theirgram that continued for three years since fiscal 2014 under thebases in addition to an impact study on the reforms to the sys-

Great East Japan Earthquake “Special Subject” had completed

tem governing public interest corporations on grant-making

its role and also provided a grant for the Research Project on

foundations.

Best Practice for Community Building in Public Housing Projects Required in the Process of Recovery from the Great East

The Foundation also provided grants to an international joint

Japan Earthquake as a project for review and evaluation.

research project on the present status (systems, data, issues,
List of Grants
Grant
NumberProject Title
Representative

Organization

Grant
Amount (Yen)

D17-PI-0001

Research on Social Innovation Eco-System in Asia (2nd year)
Ken Ito Keio University

8,000,000

D17-PI-0002

Research Project on Best Practice for Community Building in Public Housing Projects Required in the Process of Recovery
from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Seiichi Otaki The Sanaburi Foundation

10,000,000

D17-PI-0003

Enhancement of Bases for Fostering and Reinforcing Community Foundations Nationwide (Promoting the Introduction of
Guidelines and Establishing a Consultation System for Bequests and Donations)
Masataka Fukao Community Foundations JAPAN

10,000,000

D17-PI-0004

Regional NPO Internship Program “Summary of Achievements and Proposals based on Implementation in Fujisawa andYokohama”
Akemi Tezuka NPO Fujisawa NPO Network

5,600,000

D17-PI-0005

Nationwide Campaign to Strengthen Accounting at NPOs
Noboru Hayase NPO Accounting Standards Association

2,500,000

D17-PI-0006

Development of Training Program for Evaluating NPO Activity
Noboru Hayase Japan NPO Center

5,000,000

D17-PI-0007”Civil Society Fund Initiative Program” aimed at Steady Development of Civil Society Funds/Community Foundations (Phase2)-- Development, Management and Renewal of Grant Programs for Civil Society Activities
Yoshinori Yamaoka Civil Society Initiative Fund

9,760,000

D17-PI-0008

Impact Study on Reform of System Governing Public Interest Corporations on Grant-Making Foundations-– Setting Out
the Challenges and Making Policy Recommendations for the Further Development of Grant-Making Foundations
Yoshinori Yamaoka Japan Foundation Center

2,000,000

25

Report on Grant-related Activities

Communication with Society ProgramThis grant program is aimed at broadly disseminating the results

General-use Writing and Font System for Ryukyuan Languages

and other outcomes of projects that the Toyota Foundation has

and Developing its Electronic Use as a practical activity to heighten

supported.

awareness of a project which had been supported through its Research Grant Program. The Foundation also provided a grant to a

As in previous years, the Foundation implemented the Communi-

project on Policy Recommendations for Preventing Marine Littercation with Society Program in fiscal 2017 to inform and heighten

from Inland Areas as support for dissemination and advocacy forawareness in society on the achievements and methods of the proj-

a project the Foundation supported through its Program for Com-ects it has supported in a clear-cut manner. Specifically, the Foun-munity Activities in Japan.

dation provided a grant to the Project to Develop a Standardized,

Discussion Meeting

Natsuko Hagiwara × Toshio Kuwako × Akira Suehiro

List of Grants
Grant
NumberProject Title
Representative

Moderator: Secretaly General Mitsuru Ohno

Grant
Amount (Yen)

Organization

D17-SC-0001

Developing and Promoting a Digital Font for Ryukyuan Languages
Shinji Ogawa Prefectural University of Kumamoto

6,000,000

D17-SC-0002

Policy Recommendations for Controlling the Occurrence of Marine Litter from the Inland Area: Activities for Building a
Post-Plastic Society Started from Community Activities
Sadao Harada NPO Project Hozugawa

5,000,000

Example of Funded Project

The Grant Program for Community Activities in Japan, the Research Grant Program and the International Grant

Enabling Native Speakers of Ryukyuan Languages to Write their Native Language Electronically

Program are the three main grant programs at the Toyota Foundation. In this year’s report, we brought together the selection committees’ chairs to discuss the outlook of grant activities by the Toyota Foundation, referring to such topics as how to evaluate projects, the variety of forms of collaboration that should be pursued,

People who speak one of the Ryukyuan languages as their native language haveno way to write in their own native language, including a writing system. With a2011 research grant, a team of 20 mainly young researchers established a writing
system for Ryukyuan languages and carried out research leading to the establishment of a base for its diffusion. The achievements of the project were summarizedin A Unified Writing System for the Ryukyuan Languages (Kuroshio Shuppan, October 2015), and a universal writing system which can be used for writing all the
Ryukyuan language dialects without any problems was developed.
However, because the environment to be able to write Ryukyuan languages electronically was not in place, challenges remained, including input difficulties, thepoor appearance of text, and the inability to write vertically. Therefore, under the2017 Communication with Society Program, the Foundation provided a grant forthe development of character fonts specific to the unified writing system, the development of a system for displaying the character fonts, and the organization ofbriefings and study sessions for dialect speakers. This is expected to produce ripple
effects that include greater recognition of linguistic diversity and the presence of
linguistic minorities in Japan.

Exploring the New Way of Grant-Making
with a Liberal Character Distinctive to
the Private Grant-Making Foundationand the importance of presentation, while reflecting on its past.

The legacy from the Past
Ohno: Starting with Dr. Kuwako, do you notice there are any differences between the Research Grant Program of seven years ago andthat of today?
Kuwako: It has been quite a while since we started calling for proposals with the theme of “Exploring New Values for Society.” Looking
back on how the program has developed over these years, I am certain that its theme has become defined firmer and clearer to a large
extent and that applicants came to understand well its scope compared to the time when introduced. They have come up with the research contents as expected.
Shinji Ogawa presenting the writing system for Ryukyuan
languages in Okinawa

Considering the nature of the theme, I have anticipated the researches that not only clarify empirically and theoretically the current
values and the past ones but also, confronting squarely the issues in
the contemporary society, examine and discover the method by26

which we could grasp the issues’ essences and solve them.
The screening process of the Grant-in-aid for Scientific Research(KAKENHI), often compared with that of the Toyota Foundation,
depends on such criteria as objectivity, data-based, making itself notnecessarily future-oriented. If future-oriented, what proposed mustnot be clear whether feasible or not. We do demand something challenging. In that sense, embedded in the theme is our expectation toward theorization and conceptualization of the new values and theirpresentation.
It has been with these considerations that the theme of the Research
Grant has been polished up. Gradually the applicants have come tothe understanding of our focus. Consequently, they apply in the direction of, not just dealing with the varied issues on the ground, but
recommending what is to be done by clearing their obstacles.
Suehiro: To begin with, the International Grant Program makes
much of keeping the distance from the KAKENHI. Anyway, the latter

27

Natsuko Hagiwara

individual tastes in paintings, music or movies, like an establishmenttion. What do you think?

of the Malaysia Film Studies Association in Japan. By picking up

Kuwako: I completely agree with that. By cutting-edge, we mean thatthings like this, we could come up with Asia’s new vibrations. That isyou find out something others do not do, and you do it on your own.

why the “culture” category was included.

For example, as for universities in natural sciences, supports to start

Another one is” Open Field”. By this, we mean that the applicants are

up a business are ready for use. But this does not look as the case of

expected to think of the subject on their own, while we leave it open.

those in social sciences. Yet many social scientists have already got

Some see that to keep it open is negligent on the part of the donor.

involved with local societies. Hence, it is truly cutting-edge and good

What do you think?

to make grants to set up the socially-engaged corporations as a part of

Hagiwara: I find it fairly interesting. When the Toyota Foundation

dissemination.

ran the Research Contest “Observing the Community Environment”

Akira Suehiro

During the grant-awarding ceremony, I often heard the grantees

from 1979 until 1997, it did not define what the community environ-should be strictly objective and academic and its projects end simply

saying that “So great to take up us!” Also, often told is that “The KA-

ment is. Rather, it asked the applicants to do so by themselves. Truly

openhanded.

by the academic reports or by the international conferences. That is

KENHI would never accept this.” The positive development of thisvaried definitions came out. The current Grant Program for Com-

Ohno: It is understandable that the Toyota Foundation has been withthe job of the government. The Toyota Foundation could seek some-year is the presence of excellent research projects by the people inmunity Activities in Japan still inherits the pattern of the thought. Bysuch a liberal thinking, which is a good tradition in itself. But now

thing else.

nursing and healthcare. They are the ones from the fields. It was inleaving it open, each applicant defines and set his/her subjects on his/might be the time when the short-term results are expected to a cer-

My primary concern is how much risk we should take. As Dr. Ku-

2011 when I took part in the selection committee and it was the year

her own. It appears as extremely distinctive in nature and facilitative

tain extent.

wako said, the challenging plans of future-oriented nature should bewhen the Great East Japan Earthquake hit, hence varied research sub-to create the new values.

Kuwako: As it is especially so, what do you think of the very idea that

pursued even though they could end up in failure. We want the ap-

jects concerning Fukushima proposed. This year saw the doctors andSuehiro: For example, we cannot judge how the societies relying on

demonstrating the results stocked so far?

plicants to do boldly something new with determination in taking thestaff from a hospital in Minami Soma applying again respectively.

AI and IoT would transform the world just over the span of five or ten

Suehiro: It might be necessary to indicate, by the Know Your Neigh-risks. In these cases, even though the original plans were set for two

The other one is regarding the Ebola fever. The field staffs of an NGO

years. Similarly, following the point we discussed, would it be ap-

bours Program, how many books published, how many those who

years period, we simply let them do provisionary only for one year, in

proposed a study about its social aspect. They are truly committed

propriate to request the two-year project to deliver a tangible result atwere concerned with Asia in the past. Therefore, we ought to show

view of the risks. Should they progress well, we will make re-grantand undertaking research on the spot. They came across an issue thatthe end of the period? It is taken for granted that the Foundation re-appropriate criteria in the evaluations. Should we do so with the samenext year for another year.

cannot be solved by technology per se and it was the reason that theyquires its grant projects to produce outputs. But, it should not have atool as the profit organizations, leaving aside the question of short-

Hagiwara: I was an Associate Program Officer at the Toyota Founda-

applied to the Toyota Foundation.

say about how far their rippled effects extend. In the long run, the realterm or the long-term one, we will cut our own throat.

tion years ago, and, as discussed, from those days its inherited idea

Surprising enough, those in their thirties composed its researchhas been to make grants to something bold, something not feasible

team, involving with long-experienced people. Those once supported

Kuwako: Over the past seven years serving as chair, while my impres-enough, something that could end up in failure, all of which wouldby the Toyota Foundation upon their post-graduate training, apply

sion differed from year to year, the careers development of young re-Ohno: By promoting networking and collaboration of, not just foun-

not be accepted by the KAKENHI. Because it is a private grant-mak-

now again, leading younger colleagues. Also noteworthy is the pres-searchers has been always more important than the excellent

dations, but many organizations and individuals, we might come up

ing foundation, in essence, it could operate in this manner. By its

ence of many women.

researches per se. It would take ten to decades for them to build theirwith something new. What do you think?

grants, the Toyota Foundation’s existence is of an extreme importanceSuehiro: Let me evaluate the Toyota Foundation from a long-term

research career from scratch until they become central figures. With

Hagiwara: For example, should we connect the NPOs supporting theto make something new. This idea is still being passed even to thisperspective. Once I received dozens of books published under thesuch a span of time, following up what types of researchers developed

children of foreign roots with the Toyota Foundation’s International

day.

Foundation’s Know Our Neighbours Program translation project. At

while keeping the connections with the former grantees, then the true

Grant Program, we will be able to create some new values.

results would be in the hands of the grantees themselves.

In Pursuit of the Ways for Collaboration

In comparison with the thirty-some years ago when the Interna-that time, if the Japanese wanted to do something regarding the West-raison d’etre of what the Toyota Foundation did would be eventuallySuehiro: As for the International Grant Program too, we have a simi-

tional Grant Program came into being, the confronting issues become

ern countries, Japanese translations of the novels from these countries

revealed.

lar research. The issue is not just of the immigrants themselves. It has

now so diversified. Distinctive is that mushrooming of activities by

were readily available. When it came to the novels from Asia, on the

Hagiwara: As a researcher, I worked on both my master’s thesis andbeen shifting to their children’s generation and addressing those who

indeed the varied kinds of organizations, people, especially young

contrary, hardly any translations existed. So, the Toyota Foundation

doctoral dissertation on the topic of the Research Contest, “Observ-

are born in a receiving country has now become a major concern.

ones, as the basic framework, or the environment, conducive to start

took lots of time in the translation project. Supposedly many started

ing the Community Environment,” and had them published. During

The characteristic of the issue would become totally different, de-up activities more available.

to study Asia by reading those translations. One of them is none but

the above process, having looked carefully into the localities I studied,pending on if their father immigrated or their mother. Therefore, itme who serves as a committee chair now, the connection looks

I was conscious that the varied actors, the stakeholders, and their

The grants only the Toyota Foundation can makewould be better, if we could think of the more diversified forms of thestrange enough.

partners were evolving there. It would need to take also decades, notcollaboration.

Ohno: Apparently cutting-edge has been the very identity of theIt was in 2013 when the stage of getting to know our “neighbours”

a brief span of time, to evaluate them.

Hagiwara: It is important for us to reexamine our activities from the

Toyota Foundation. What is taken for granted today could beended. Assuming that the issues that Asian countries confronting

Kuwako: The Toyota Foundation could make it publicly known thatviewpoints of others. Presumably, space would be quite valuable

became on par with those in Japan whether the ageing or the migra-

with what kind of criteria it judges what its grant-making does forwhere the grantees could mutually make presentations about whattion, we should swap ideas by exchanging with each other. Though insociety. It is a high time for the Foundation itself to think of the com-they do. There, something in common might pop up or a fresh per-the form of support, the stage has shifted from one-way to two-way,bination of what it has done and the self-evaluation.

spective would be discovered. The same might go for the academic

the higher one on which ideas are shared. It would be only naturalSuehiro: But, we ought to be cautious that currently evaluation thor-inquiry.

that we could evaluate this development only over a span of twenty

oughly prevails, even in universities. Under increasing pressure, now

Kuwako: In that sense, the workshops organized by the Research

years or thirty years.

it is hard, if not impossible, to pursue academic inquiry in a liberal

Grant Program appear quite effective. Those joined are of the same

In fact, in running the International Grant Program, we have intro-

manner and we are simply tired of lots of paperwork incurred from

opinion. So far, however, their goal was simply to inform the would-

duced the category of “culture” covering video, picture, and, drama

the evaluation. The same goes for that of the Official Development

be applicants of what we were doing. Rather, we could proactively set

for the past two years, other than “ageing” and “multicultural co-exis-

Assistance (ODA). It has become the evaluation for its own sake,up something facilitative to novel ideas by carefully selecting and in-tence.” This is to say that, thanks to the development of SNS, a cul-

making everyone exhausting. The private grant-making foundations

viting the presenters and inspiring them to discuss among

tural phenomenon on a societal level takes place in Asia, aside fromdo not need to be at the mercy of it. They ought to be morethemselves.

Toshio Kuwako

28

something the Foundation took an initiative at the time of its incep-

29

Suehiro: It is often pointed out that Japan might not be able to pro-respective favorites with the responsibility of escort communicating

duce Novel Prize laurates any more. The gifted talents could ascendwith the project leaders as often as possible. Should they get in con-thanks to the liberal research environment widespread from thetact with not only the Foundation’s program officers but the escorts,

1950s up to the 1970s. As the research management tightened in thethe officers will be less loaded.

1990s, it is no longer possible to expect the world-leading talents on

Ohno: What the Foundation’s program officers can do is circum-

par with the Nobel Prize to rise in the field of science and technology.

scribed and they share no insight of specialist. So, perhaps we can do

The same goes for the foundations. Should we fail to secure the liberal

something by getting in touch with the varied external networks

climate, the fully inspiring results will not be delivered. My concern

available.

is that the Japanese society will be choked step by step. It ought to be

Hagiwara: As for the former “Research Contest,” in addition to thenecessary to study more to harness the exchanges and presentations

full-fledged members of the selection committee, appointed were theamong young people over the internet, while I am not following theexperts with specific knowledge of a particular subject and they weretrend well. This is to keep up with the smartphone generations. Also,

expected to complement what the full-fledged members could not

it is important to think of initiatives conducive to produce the diversi-

cover. How nice it is to ask for the former members of the selection

fied, various forms of presentations and results.

committees and the experts to become the advisers!

Hagiwara: As for the Research Contest, out of twenty grant teams at

Suehiro: The International Grant Program has delivered the results inthe stage of the preliminary study, only ten would be allowed to movethe workshops with regard to the respective program themes such as

up to the stage of full-blown research, screened via their presenta-

ageing and multicultural co-existence. In the case of the former, ations. Determined to win, every grant teams seriously conducted thelarge number of practitioners participated in a symposium held in

preliminary study for half a year. Furthermore, placed among theShanghai. As for South Korea, initially, Japanese participants did not

audience of the presentations were the would-be applicants for thehave high expectation in its results. On the contrary, as a matter ofnext year.

fact, all ended in excitement as the varied ideas popped up, including

Suehiro: Perhaps it would be more appropriate if the kind of the con-those of the NPOs. Though their forms differed, they came up withtests were organized like a game. As the young people love it, they can

the firm results.

enjoy the process of screening per se, rather than simply being

Ohno: Speaking of the multicultural co-existence, this will also be-screened.

come a major problem Japan is to confront from now on. We could

Hagiwara: Also, it was the selection committee members who be-think of the possible collaboration between the Grant Program forcame supporters for the team. As the names of the selection commit-

Community Activities in Japan and the International Grant Program.

tee were publicly available, some applicants developed strategies toWith the involvement of the scholars from the Research Grant Pro-

come through, considering, for example, Mr. Genpei Akasegawa’sgram, too, and taking advantage of what accumulated over the years,

preference, who was on the committee.

the Toyota Foundation will be placed in a position with a panorama

Upon approved, on the other hand, additionally dispatched for theview. Should it succeed in combining all these, a social movementsite-visit of a project was usually a member of the selection committee

only the Toyota Foundation can make would be set in motion.

who was not in favor. By this arrangement, we hoped to see the proj-

Kuwako: Should those advisers conduct site-visits, they will be re-ects from a different angle.

quired to come up with the sort of interim reports about the contents“Fun” Fostering Potentials

30

Accounting Report

Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2018

(Unit: Thousand Yen)

Account
I

Fiscal 2017

Fiscal 2016

Fiscal 2015

Cash and deposits

462,673

489,617471,389

Accounts receivable

84,822

88,782

101,381

Other

5,100

4,890

5,243

552,595

583,289

578,012

Basic funds

25,108,018

25,299,017

25,584,839

Specified assets

15,703,985

14,732,388

14,854,299

57,55757,59061,164

Total fixed assets

40,869,560

40,088,995

40,500,302

Total assets

41,422,155

40,672,284

41,078,314

1. Total current liabilities

407,767

412,665

427,052

2. Total fixed liabilities

78,79086,292

83,658486,557

498,957

510,710

18,602,396

17,646,095

17,771,164(Amount from above allocated to basic funds)（3,000,000）（3,000,000）（3,000,000）(Amount from above allocated to specified assets)（15,602,396）（14,646,095）（14,771,164）

22,333,202

22,527,231

22,796,440（22,108,018）（22,299,017）（22,584,839）

（0）

（0）

（0）

Total net assets

40,935,598

40,173,327

40,567,604

Total liabilities and net assets

41,422,155

40,672,284

41,078,314

Assets
1. Current assets

Total current assets
2. Fixed assets

Other fixed assets

II

Liabilitiesof their advice, the progress of the projects they looked at. These re-Total liabilities

ports would bring about the accumulated evaluation.

Suehiro: In these days, those on the committee might not have suffi-

Suehiro: I recently participated in a large joint research group at acient time to do those things. So busy are the today’s university pro-

university. Upon its five-year project, examined was how often cov-

fessors. In that sense, importantly, a single figure is to get involved

ered by television and newspapers. In principle, my position is that, if

with a single project for a long span of time.

needed, I approach the media from myself. I wonder if it is appropri-

Hagiwara: By doing so, it would be easier to see the process of change.

ate to evaluate only through the media exposure. It will be question-

Kuwako: Should we do something similar for the Research Grant

able if the social engagement is be judged solely by the media

Program, we will assign the selection committee members to thecoverage.

grant projects respectively. Like, “it is you who highly recommended

Kuwako: The relationship with the mass media is certainly the sub-the project in the selection, so you are expected to follow it up till theject of academic inquiry. How could we state and evaluate somethingend.”

unlikely to deliver quantitative and numerical results? It must be the(Amount from above allocated to basic funds)

Hagiwara: It is like escorting.

critical issue.

Kuwako: Though the escorts might not see the delivery of the results

Hagiwara: When it comes to how to state, it would be of nice to do it(Amount from above allocated to specified assets)

at the end, it is important that the selection committee members keep

like a game. How simulative to everyone!

track of the process toward it and the grantees are also aware of being

Suehiro: I have a belief that the sense of play including ” laid-back”

seen. This could be possible and it must be fun. On the occasion ofwould allow grant-making by the private grant-making foundations

the selection committee, every member pushes the projects they favor

to take a unique path of development.

through the fierce argument. Then, they would be assigned to the

Ohno: Thank you very much for today.

III

Net assets
1. Designated net assets

2. General net assets

31Accounting Report

Officers and Trustees

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

Officers and Trustees

April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018

As of March 31, 2018

(Unit: Thousand Yen)

Account
I

Fiscal 2017

Fiscal 2016

Fiscal 2015

Changes in general net assets
1. Changes in ordinary profit

Directors and Auditors
Name

Occupation

Name

Occupation

Chairman

Senior Adviser to the Board, Toyota Motor
Corp.

Akira J. Ikushima

Professor Emeritus and Advisor, Toyota
Technological InstituteYoshio Ishizaka

Advisor, Toyota Motor Corp.

Yoshiaki Ishizawa

Professor, Sophia University

Kazuo Okamoto

Advisor, Hino Motors, Ltd.

Shinichi Kitaoka

President, Japan International Cooperation
AgencySenior Adviser to the Board, Toyota Tsusho
Corporation

Nobuyuki Koga

Chairman, Nomura Holdings, Inc.

Professor (Dean), the Faculty ofInternational Social Sciences, Gakushuin
University

Takeshi Sasaki

President, National Land Afforestation
Promotion Organization

Iichi Shingu

Advisor, Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

Toshiaki Taguchi

Advisor, Toyota Motor Corp.

Fujio Cho

Senior Adviser to the Board, Toyota Motor
Corp.

Shoichiro Toyoda

Honorary Chairman, Toyota Motor Corp.

Koichi Fukaya

Advisor, DENSO Corporation

Hiroaki Fujii

President, Mori Arts Center

Fujio Mitarai

Chairman & CEO, Canon Inc.

Kosuke Yamamoto

Advisor, The Japan Commercial
Arbitration Association

Katsuaki Watanabe

Senior Advisor to the Board, Toyota Motor
Corp.

Nobuyori Kodaira(1) Ordinary profit

708,465

676,910653,646(2) Ordinary expenses

711,496

699,601

683,123

Atsuko Toyama▲3,031▲22,691▲29,477

Managing Director

Current changes in ordinary profit prior to profit/loss appraisal

Trustees

President(full-time)

Profit and loss appraisal▲190,999▲246,518

54,575

Yu Asano

Current changes in ordinary profit▲194,029▲269,209

25,098

Director

Hiromitsu Ishi

2. Changes in extraordinary profit

Director(1) Extraordinary profit

0

0

0

(2) Extraordinary expenses

0

0

0

0

0

0

Current changes in general net assets▲194,029▲269,209

25,098

Balance at beginning of the fiscal year in general net assets

22,527,231

22,796,440

22,771,343

Akihiko Tanaka

Balance at end of the fiscal year in general net assets

22,333,202

22,527,231

22,796,440

Director

Current changes in extraordinary profit

Jyunzo Shimizu
Director

Akira Suehiro
Director

Makoto Nagao
II

Changes in designated net assets

Director

956,300▲125,068▲1,547,142

Shin-ichi Hirano

Balance at beginning of the fiscal year in designated net assets

17,646,096

17,771,164

19,318,306

Director

Balance at end of the fiscal year in designated net assets

18,602,396

17,646,096

17,771,164

Masayuki Yamauchi

Current changes in designated net assets

III Balance at end of the fiscal year in net assets

Director

40,935,598

40,173,327

40,567,604

Ryuichiro Yamazaki
AuditorTakeshi Suzuki
AuditorYoshio Hiramatsu

32

Professor Emeritus, Hitotsubashi University

President, National Graduate Institute for
Policy Studies
Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University
Chair Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong
University
Professor, Meiji University
Former Ambassador Extraordinary andPlenipotentiary, Embassy of Japan in thePhilippines
Special Advisor, Aioi Nissay Dowa
Insurance Co., Ltd.
Certified Public Accountant

The Toyota Foundation Shinjuku Mitsui Building 37F, 2-1-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-0437, Japan

http://www.toyotafound.or.jp/english/

THE TOYOTA FOUNDATION