Social Entrepreneurs of Japan's Disaster-Hit Areas

Dear our generous supporters,

Thanks to your kind support, World in You’s Board Fellow Program has spent the past four years bringing business and civic leaders onto the boards of Japanese nonprofits, strengthening the organizations at the heart of change in their communities. Today we are excited to share the next chapter: Governing Together, the program’s fifth cohort and our first fully cross-border one.

What is Governing Together?

With support from the U.S.-Japan Foundation, Governing Together brings together six leaders from the United States, six leaders from Japan, and three Japanese nonprofit organizations for a shared learning journey running April to December 2027.

At its core are mock board meetings, in which fellows from both countries work alongside real nonprofits on real governance challenges. Along the way, participants will:

• Build a shared foundation in U.S. and Japanese nonprofit governance, then move quickly to practical frameworks
• Gather in Japan in June 2027 for an in-person program and field visits
• Join a selective cross-sector, cross-border community of leaders working on systemic social change

The three nonprofits will be organizations that have not yet brought diverse outside perspectives into their leadership decisions. For them, this is a chance to experience what a strong, engaged board can make possible.

Why it matters

Japan’s nonprofit sector is full of passion and talent, but board governance is often an afterthought. Leaders tend to carry everything alone. By pairing Japanese nonprofits with experienced leaders from both sides of the Pacific, we hope to show what boards can be: partners in strategy, sources of fresh perspective, and bridges to wider networks. We also believe U.S. and Japanese leaders have a great deal to learn from each other.

How you can help

We would love your help in three ways:

1. Introduce a potential fellow. Do you know a business executive, professional, or researcher in the U.S. or Japan who would bring a board-level perspective? Every fellow brings their own expertise. For participants based outside Japan, the participation fee is waived.
2. Introduce a Japanese nonprofit. If you know a nonprofit in Japan that is ready to open its doors to new perspectives, we’d be glad to hear about them.
3. Support the program. Your donation helps us keep the program accessible, support the participating nonprofits, and build a lasting community of board leaders beyond this cohort.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early introductions are especially helpful. You can find the press release here. You can also reach us directly at info@worldinyou.org.

Your support continues to make change-making communities possible across borders.

With gratitude,
Mio

Links:

• Press Release: Governing Together
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