News
February 28, 2022
The International House of Japan, Inc.
Asia Pacific Initiative
The International House of Japan, Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: KONDO Masaakira James) and Asia Pacific Initiative (Minato-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: FUNABASHI Yoichi) announced on Monday that the two organizations will merge, creating a leading new independent institution dedicated to promoting intellectual exchange and dialogue in Japan, the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
The merger will take effect on July 1, 2022.
The integration brings together two organizations with shared values, deep experience and global reputations. Since their foundation, The International House of Japan and Asia Pacific Initiative have operated as private, independent, internationally oriented institutions, with a focus on topics such as international relations, regional studies, geopolitics, social systems, governance and innovation. The integration will further strengthen the organizations’ operational capabilities, allowing the new institution to become a leading hub for knowledge exchange not only in Japan but in the broader Asia-Pacific region, as well as globally.
The merged organization will retain the name “The International House of Japan, Inc.” It will adopt as its official mission “Contribute to building a free, open, and sustainable future through intellectual dialogue, policy research, and cultural exchange with a diverse world.”
The organization will operate in four broad areas: 1) international relations, regional studies and geopolitics; 2) social systems, governance and innovation; 3) civilization studies and philosophy; and 4) art and design. The first two areas have been a focus of both The International House of Japan and Asia Pacific Initiative, and the name Asia Pacific Initiative will continue to be used as branding for the programs in these areas. The latter two areas have been addressed primarily by The International House of Japan.
In each of these four areas, the organization will undertake four kinds of activities: a) human exchanges and international conferences; b) human resource development; c) policy research and proposals; and d) social implementation.
All rights and obligations held by the International House of Japan, Inc. and Asia Pacific Initiative will be succeeded.
Comments from the chairs of The International House of Japan and Asia Pacific Initiative and members of their Strategic Alliance Committee can be found below.
KONDO Masaakira James, Chairman, The International House of Japan, Inc.
“The International House of Japan will celebrate its 70th anniversary this year. In this memorable year, I feel a strong connection and historical significance to the merger with Asia Pacific Initiative which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. For the next 70 years, we will continue to work as a team to make a significant contribution to global issues.”
FUNABASHI Yoichi, Chairman, Asia Pacific Initiative
“In the midst of the US-China conflict and the challenges of geopolitics / geoeconomics, we must create a free, open and sustainable international order together in the world and the Asia-Pacific to maintain peace, prosperity and stability. Japanese ideas and participation are required more than ever. We will aim to create a global think tank together with a base of knowledge and culture that represents Asia. With that in mind, we decided to integrate. Nothing can start without personal initiative. But nothing will last long without an institution. It is the beginning of the challenge of building a new institutional mountain range.”
DOHMAE Nobuo, Chair, The Strategic Alliance Committee at International House of Japan
“As the world changes drastically, both countries and companies need a compass. The compass is a confluence of understanding and assessing the reality, interacting among people, and designing the future. Through this merger, a top-class base for knowledge exchange will emerge in Japan. We believe this is the first step for an organization to make a leap forward to Asia Pacific and the world.”
EHARA Nobuyoshi, Chair, The Strategic Alliance Committee at Asia Pacific Initiative
“Both organizations have like-minded people who share the same philosophy and values. I hope that the people who gather here will project ideas, driving the world and creating a visionary new future for the Asia-Pacific.”
■ International House of Japan, Inc. (I-House)
A pioneer private organization for international exchange founded in 1952.
Having played a central role in Japan’s reintegration into international society after the Second World War, “I-House” has played a leading role in facilitating intellectual dialogue and cultural exchange. The Main Building, an important work of modernism architecture registered as a tangible cultural property, and the beautiful garden created by the seventh-generation master gardener OGAWA Jihei were designed as a unique space for people to foster close friendships and continue to be loved by leaders around the world as their “home in Japan”.
https://www.i-house.or.jp/eng/
■ Asia Pacific Initiative
A leading independent think-tank in Japan, founded in 2011.
Building on investigations, research and policy proposals successfully conducted by the Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation, established following the Great East Japan Earthquake, the institution was expansively reorganized into Asia Pacific Initiative (API) in 2017. Extending its activities to the Asia Pacific region, it widely communicates its messages to the world, as well as in Japan, as an intellectual incubator fostering a free and open international order.
https://apinitiative.org/en/
Contact
Communications Group, The International House of Japan, Inc.
5-11-16 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106‐0032 Japan
Tel: +81-3-3470-9810 (Mon.-Fri., 9:00 am-5:00 pm)
Corporate Department, Asia Pacific Initiative
11F, Arkhills Front Tower ROP, 2-23-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 Japan
E-mail: 
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