Tackling Japan’s Most Pressing Social Challenges: JANPIA’s efforts are explicitly aimed at addressing Japan’s unique and urgent social challenges. Its funding focuses on eight priority themes identified as “social issues that should be preferentially solved” within three key areas: children facing disadvantage, young people facing challenges such as unemployment or lack of education, and at-risk youth. Beyond youth-focused priorities, JANPIA supports initiatives that help people grappling with employment difficulties, social isolation, discrimination, and barriers to economic independence, especially vulnerable women and single mothers. Additionally, In response to regional population decline and inequality, JANPIA also funds projects that promote job creation, community safety, and revitalisation.

Integrating Impact Investment: Recognising the need to further strengthen the social sector and attract private investment, Japan amended the Dormant Deposit Utilisation Act in June 2023, allowing JANPIA to integrate impact investment into its funding model. This expansion marks a significant policy milestone, as it enables dormant assets to be used not only for grants but also to catalyse sustainable, long-term impact through investment. Building on its existing priorities, JANPIA’s new impact investment scheme will enhance its capacity to fund sustainable, long-term solutions and JANPIA’s ability to build an autonomous and sustainable ecosystem.