In 2025, JUSSIN held its first gathering in Kobe, bringing 39 social-sector leaders from the U.S. and Japan together for two days to discuss challenges, build a bilateral community, and develop skills in topics ranging from Strategic Planning, Succession Planning, Evaluating Alliances, and the Leadership Compass.

Leaders who had never met were soon discussing the things they usually keep behind closed doors — finances, compensation, burnout, the quiet doubts of running a mission-driven organization.  They recognized that they were facing similar pressures, asking the same questions, carrying the same weight. As one Japanese leader put it, "What really stood out was the spirit of friendship woven throughout the entire gathering… I was amazed by how quickly a sense of trust formed, enabling honest conversations from the very beginning."

“Because multiple people from our organization participated, we were able to bring the learning directly into our internal discussions and decision-making.”

Every leader surveyed rated the two days a perfect 5.0 — "a '5' is not enough," one wrote. "It felt like a '10'." Leaders left planning to visit one another, exploring partnerships, planning follow-up Zoom calls, and staying connected. The collaborations that started in Kobe are still going strong.

Kobe proved what we believed going in: that the bridge between Japan and the U.S. catalyzes social innovation.

“It was a very meaningful opportunity to meet peers who are seriously dedicated to their mission. I felt a sense of comradeship with others facing the same difficulties, and that feeling itself gave me strength.”

“I had a tremendous experience! I feel that I was able to contribute positively to the program, while also gaining a great deal - learning more about the Japanese nonprofit sector, deepening my understanding of the Japanese cultural context, and forming wonderful relationships that I’m excited to continue.”