Japan Offers Tax Break to Firms That Aid U.S. Charities

Japan is offering a tax break to Japanese companies if they donate money to U.S. hospitals and support other philanthropies in an effort to counter mounting American hostility to Japanese investments, it was reported today.

The New York Times said in a story from Tokyo that the offer was discussed during a meeting of 300 top business executives summoned to the Foreign Ministry last week.

The Japanese Chamber of Commerce has recently begun distributing copies of a handbook with advice to Japanese companies in America on how to participate effectively in U.S. communities and local charities.

The publication, “Joining In! A Handbook for Better Corporate Citizenship in the United States,” notes that “it is important in American society to take credit for good works accomplished.”