Philanthropy Column

Just as Japanese corporations are exploring new avenues for philanthropic activity in the United States, Corporate Philanthropy Report has published three guides to help educators and others connect with Japanese grantmakers.

The three books, Directory of Japanese Giving, Japanese Corporate Connection: A Guide for Fundraisers, and Consultants in Japanese Philanthropy: 56 Firms that Counsel the Donors, include lists of corporate contacts and their philanthropic policies, a historical overview of their giving practices, and the geographic distribution of Japanese largess.

Craig Smith, the editor of the books, said that he learned from his research that Matsushita, Hitachi, Toyota, and Honda are the top four Japanese corporations among those engaged in philanthropic...