The Project's membership includes nearly 400 individuals and over 20 institutions representing a wide variety of academic, governmental, research, and corporate institutions, as well as trade groups, the media, and other nonprofit organizations from around the United States and the world. Membership fees have been kept low in order to encourage the broadest possible public involvement.

As of April 2003, institutional members include: American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), Center for Naval Analyses (CNA), U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Sigur Center for Asian Studies, Internal Revenue Service, Asia-Pacific Technology Program of the Commerce Department, U.S. Institute for Peace, Congressional Research Service, National War College, Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, The Brookings Institution, The Japan Society of New York, Kearny Foundation, Japan-US Friendship Commission, Discover the Real West Virginia Foundation, Harvard University Program on U.S.-Japan Relations, Columbia University's Center on Japanese Economy & Business, University of California, Berkeley's Institute of East Asian Studies, PhRMA, The Oriental Economist, Samuels International, Hale and Dorr LLP, and Dynamic Strategies Asia.

Membership benefits include free publications, a twice-weekly E-mail reports, research assistance, and reduced fees for all Japan Project programs and publications. Corporate and Institutional members also enjoy private briefings and special invitations. In addition, members join a network of industry leaders, policymakers, scholars, and other experts committed to maintaining international cooperation and prosperity through greater understanding of Japanese and Northeast Asian science, technology, and policy information.