Founded in 1970 by Tadashi Yamamoto, the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE) is one of the few independent nongovernmental organizations in the field of international affairs in Japan. It operates a wide range of programs to promote dialogue and cooperation among leaders from different sectors of society in Japan and around the world.

JCIE is dedicated to:

promoting Japan’s engagement in the international community;
encouraging thoughtful and collaborative analysis of critical issues in international affairs;
strengthening civil society and enhancing its domestic and global contributions; and
establishing, strengthening, and expanding networks of dialogue and cooperation.

In order to fulfill this mission, JCIE operates three interrelated and mutually reinforcing programs: the Political Exchange Program, the Global ThinkNet policy research and dialogue programs, and the CivilNet program to strengthen civil society and philanthropy. It also sponsors a number of cross-sectoral initiatives.

These programs are carried out in collaboration with leading organizations around the world, and JCIE undertakes many of them in cooperation with its American affiliate, JCIE/USA.

As a rule, JCIE creates opportunities for informed policy discussions and does not take policy positions. It is a wholly autonomous and independent organization and it receives no government subsidies. Rather, funding comes from private foundation grants, individual and corporate contributions, and contracts.