We were established in 1987 as Trust 60. In 2010, we were certified as a public benefit corporation, and in 2014 the organization name was changed to Trust Forum Foundation. Since our establishment, we have constantly devoted ourselves to research, study, aid, etc., that contribute to promotion and development of trust.

Last year, the Trust Act and the Trust Business Act celebrated their 100th anniversaries of enforcement. Since their introduction to Japan, trusts have become widely used as they have addressed various economic and social needs of the times including provision of funds for growth of industrial communities, asset building by citizens, promotion of welfare and social benefits, utilization of real estate, conservation of assets, support of elderly citizens and their families, etc. After the enforcements of the New Trust Business Act in 2004 and the New Trust Act in 2007, deregulation of trust funds and increase of undertakers of trusts have led to wider use of trusts – the total trust fund balance has grown to over 1,500 trillion yen to date.

Next year, we are going to celebrate the 100th anniversary of establishment of the first trust company in Japan (present Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank) under the Trust Business Act. In Japan, where various issues such as climate change (global warming), increase of natural disasters, falling birthrate and aging population, population decline, stagnation of economic growth, growing public debt, etc., are becoming severer, the role of trusts, seeking flexible solutions based on experts’ insights while standing by the users, has become more important.

The name “Trust Forum Foundation” implies our wish for nurturing our organization as “a forum where stakeholders from a wide range of areas gather for evolution of trusts toward the future”. Trust Forum Foundation aims to become a venue where stakeholders of trusts gather, collect their wisdom to engage in research and study into trusts, encourage promotion and development of trusts, and contribute to society and the common good. As a result of our research, the number of publications in our report library and reports are now over 160. Today, as various issues have become severer, further utilization of trusts that contribute to the solution of issues and new applications of trusts are required. Officers and employees of Trust Forum Foundation will renew their resolution toward commitment to future development of trusts. I hope you will extend us your warm support.

October 2023