The Foundation was established in 1987 as the "Trust 60 Foundation", was accredited as a public interest incorporated foundation in 2010, and its name changed to the "Trust Forum Foundation" in 2014. Since its establishment, we have consistently worked on research, studies, and grants, etc., that contribute to promotion and development of trusts.

For more than 100 years since the introduction of trusts to Japan in 1922, they have responded to various economic and social needs at the time, including provision of funds for growth to industry, asset building by citizens, promotion of welfare and public interest, utilization of real estate, asset conservation, and support of elderly people and their families. Since the enforcement of the New Trust Business Act in 2004 and the New Trust Act in 2007, the scope of use of trusts has expanded further because of the abolition of regulations on trust assets and the expansion of trust bearers, and the balance of trust assets has now reached over 1,800 trillion yen.

In Japan, where various issues such as environmental changes (global warming), increasing natural disasters, declining birthrate and an aging population, falling population, stagnant economic growth, and increasing public debt are becoming more serious, the role of trusts, which can pursue flexible solutions from the user's perspective and based on expert knowledge, is becoming more important. With the promulgation of the Charitable Trusts Act and other laws in 2024, it is expected that there will be an increase in the number of bearers of charitable trusts and their business activities.

The name "Trust Forum Foundation" reflects our desire to make it a venue (forum) where a wide range of stakeholders for development of trusts can come together for the future. The Foundation aims to promote and develop trusts and to serve society and the public by bringing people involved in trusts together to gather wisdom, conduct research and studies on trusts. The Foundation has published more than 170 research papers and reports as a result of its research. As various issues become more serious and new usages of trusts that can be solutions to the issues are required, all of us at the Foundation are firmly determined to renew our commitment toward future development of trusts and look forward to your warm support.

July 2025