Leave a Legacy

You can make a lasting difference by leaving us as little as 1% of your estate in your Will. By pledging a Legacy Gift to The Japan Society you play a part in strengthening UK-Japan relations for future generations.

The Japan Society relies on generous donations from individuals and corporations to deliver our work in education, events, cultural initiatives and publications. A Legacy Gift will help us continue these efforts, from supporting educational programmes in schools to offering lectures, grants, and resources that promote the study, appreciation and celebration of Japan. Right through to subsidising membership fees and event costs, we work to make The Japan Society accessible to all who wish to learn about Japan.

With the UK Government's Inheritance Tax Relief, leaving a Gift to charity may also reduce the Inheritance Tax for your beneficiaries, making a lasting impact both for them and for our work. 

Supporters choose to leave a legacy by including a Gift to The Japan Society in their Wills. For some, this gesture reflects a lifelong connection to Japan, a desire to support our work in education, or simply a wish to give back to their community.

If you want to support our mission in this meaningful way, there are three types of Gifts you can pledge in your Will:    

• Pecuniary Legacy – A specific lump sum of money 
• Residuary Legacy – A percentage share of your estate 
• Gift land, property, or shares – This is sold on our behalf

It is also possible to leave a Restricted Gift to direct funds to a specific programme, such as our education work.

Legal Advice

The Japan Society is not able to recommend solicitors, but you can search for regulated solicitors in your area via the Law Society website.

If you already have a Will, consider speaking with your solicitor about a Codicil, which allows you to amend your existing Will to include a Gift to The Japan Society. 

Inheritance Tax Relief

Did you know that the UK Government offers Inheritance Tax Relief so you may give money to charity and reduce the rate of Inheritance Tax your beneficiaries are required to pay?
 
Leaving a Gift in your Will often allows you to make a more significant impact, and estate planning professionals can assist you in integrating this as part of your broader financial goals. Additionally, the UK Government offers Inheritance Tax Relief, encouraging Gifts in Wills by reducing the amount of Inheritance Tax applied as a result of gifting 10% of your taxable estate. 

Leaving a Gift ensures that The Japan Society can continue its important work for generations to come. 

A Legacy Built on Generosity

Founded in 1891, The Japan Society received its first gift from Emperor Meiji – a donation of 100 guineas – as a gesture of his hope for the Society’s “continued prosperity.” Since then, we have relied on the generosity of our supporters and benefactors to sustain our mission. 

As we look to the future, we invite a new generation of patrons to join us, investing not just in immediate needs but in the long-term vision of The Japan Society. It is through the enduring commitment of individuals like you, alongside those who have supported us over the past 133 years, that we continue to thrive. With your help, we can continue to build on this legacy for many more decades to come.  

Your gift, big or small, will create lasting change. It’s a powerful way to continue your support for our work and the community, and leave a mark that truly matters.