| Since
its opening in December 1992, the mission of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation
USA (SPF-USA) has been to promote mutual understanding between the United
States and Japan. In 1997, in response to dramatic changes occurring
throughout the world, SPF-USA expanded its mission to include the promotion
of mutual understanding throughout the Asia-Pacific region, of which
Japan is an integral part, while retaining an emphasis on the U.S.-Japan
relationship. SPF-USA first offered
people in the greater Washington area a forum by which they can access
a wide range of information on contemporary Japan, and on its relationship
with the U.S. This service is provided by the Sasakawa
Peace Foundation USA Library, which was established to provide information,
from various perspectives and disciplines, on Japan and on U.S.-Japan
relations. The Sasakawa Peace
Foundation USA has expanded its mission to include the transmission
of new messages and ideas from other countries in the Asia-Pacific region,
and the transmission of responses from the U.S. to these countries.
These messages and ideas cover a wide range of topics, including politics,
economics, culture, and diplomacy. In 1997, SPF-USA began its Program
activities, to explore and act upon this new aspect of the foundation's
mission. |