nonprofit study tour and training opportunities

• NEW OPPORTUNITY: Applications are being accepted for an NPO/NGO leadership training program that will be held on October 27–November 9, 2013 in Seattle and San Francisco for Japanese NPO/NGO staff. This will focus on best practices in nonprofit management and leadership, and it will include meetings with a range of US nonprofit leaders to discuss best practices. Travel expenses for participants will be covered by the sponsors. While the official application deadline is August 30, the deadline has some flexibility, and those interested in participating are encouraged to contact Ms. Kaoru Utada (TEL: 03-3224-5843 or kutada@usjapancouncil.org) as soon as possible. This program is run by the TOMODACHI Initiative and International Institute of Education (IIE) with support from JP Morgan.

• ​As part of the initiative launched last year by the Japanese government to increase employment rates in the Tohoku region, a website called “The Team of 600 Entrepreneurs” is now available online that showcases profiles of 600 entrepreneurs that received subsidies up to ¥3 million each (roughly $30,000) for their social businesses in Tohoku (website available in Japanese only).