June 01, 2000

 Activities

Genron NPO is a registered non-profit organization established in 2001 by thought leaders and innovators who felt that existing public discourse in Japan was not seriously addressing the nation's future. Having recognized this "discourse deficit," they committed their personal resources to rectifying the situation.

Today, Genron NPO has two primary areas of activity. First, we assess party manifestos in order to provide voters with the information resources they need to evaluate politicians and keep them accountable for following through on campaign promises. Second, we facilitate discussions that clarify Japan's future options. To make this information available to the public, Genron NPO is creating a "triple forum" that integrates our Policy Forums, website, and premium quality magazine.

Genron NPO serves as an agent for voters by assessing party manifestos and facilitating dialogue about Japan's future. While existing Japanese media and think tanks are trapped by organizational and marketing constraints, we are reclaiming the public sphere as a place of meaningful, constructive interaction between politicians and voters concerning the content and conduct of public policy. We are providing voters with the resources they need to engage with the political process in an informed way. Our goal is to have a major impact on the Japanese mass media as well as voters.

The two committees that make up Genron NPO's Policy Forum are the core of our effort to develop a sense of urgency among Japanese voters about politics and to facilitate debate about what Japan's future should look like. Discussion feedback is given not only to Genron NPO members but also to 5,000 opinion leaders who contribute their input to surveys and hearings. To publicize these discussions, general and member forums are held regularly and public symposiums are organized occasionally.

Established in October 2003 to provide timely, useful assessments of party platforms that cut through the vague promises and examine real outcomes. The Policy Assessment Committee aims to provide a mechanism for constant monitoring of how campaign promises are carried out. The conference has eight members who conduct the assessments: Masayasu Kitagawa (Professor, Waseda University; former Governor, Mie Prefecture), Takashi Anzai (President, IY Bank Co., Ltd.; former Director, Bank of Japan), Yuzo Seto (Advisor, Asahi Breweries, Ltd.), Yoshinori Yokoyama (Social System Designer) and Susumu Takahashi (Counselor, The Japan Research Institute, Ltd.). In addition, more than 70 members from the public and private sectors are involved in the work of the Committee.

How should Japan define its identity and establish its role in the world? The Asian Strategy Committee aims to present, by late 2004, a review of the choices Japan faces in developing a vision of the nation's future. By discussing the methodology for formulating such a strategy, the process is brought before the public eye. The Committee also holds an annual international symposium and is building an Asia-wide discussion network. Past international symposia included "How Should Japan Face A Changing Asia?" in March 2003, "Sino-Japanese Relations: Exploring New Possibilities" in December 2003 and "Assessing Japanese Power: A Roadmap For Japan's Future" in March 2004.

The Asian Strategy Committee is chaired by former Dentsu Inc. Executive Advisor Shinji Fukukawa and composed of the following members: