Nippon Foundation Library: Institution Main

About Nippon Foundation

The Nippon Foundation (日本財団 Nipponzaidan) was established in 1962  by businessman and  politician Ryoichi Sasakawa (1899-1995).  The foundation used the name  "Japanese Shipbuilding Industry Foundation (JSIF) until 1988."  

The foundation's mission is to pursue philanthropic activities, global maritime development, and to assist humanitarian work both inside and outside of Japan. The foundation uses motorboat racing revenue to fund these activities.

The current chairman, the third, is Yohei Sasakawa, World Health Organization (WHO) Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, Special Envoy of the Government of Japan for National Reconciliation in Myanmar.