Arts and Cultural Exchange [Culture]
The Japan Foundation organizes programs to introduce various aspects of Japanese arts and culture all over the world. In addition, it promotes networking and human resources development in the arts and cultural fields by interactive collaboration/co-production and through dispatching and invitation of specialists.
Taking the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation (2023) as an opportunity, the Japan Foundation is implementing the “Partnership to Co-create a Future with the Next Generation: WA Project 2.0,” a comprehensive people-to-people exchange initiative that aims to promote exchange among those of the next generation and develop human resources in Japan and ASEAN. Special programs for exchange activities with ASEAN countries are available under this initiative.
1. Grant Program for Dispatching Artists and Cultural Specialists
This program is designed to provide financial support for artists and Japanese cultural specialists who are invited by institutions outside Japan and participate in cultural events (e.g., performances, demonstrations, lectures, and workshops) overseas with the aim of introducing Japanese arts and culture or of contributing to international society through arts and cultural projects.
*Since FY2025, the second round has been discontinued.
Last updated September 2, 2025
| Program outline | Grant Program for Dispatching Artists and Cultural Specialists (PDF: 145KB) | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Area | Japan |
| Applicant | Organization / Individual | |
| Application Deadline | Apply through Online Application Portal by 1 p.m., December 2, 2025 (Japan Standard Time) | |
| Application Form | Q-DACS (available in Japanese only) | |
| Application Instructions / Application Form |
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2. International Creations in Performing Arts
The Japan Foundation seeks organizations that will jointly organize international creations in performing arts between Japanese and international artists.
*Any organization or individual located in Japan that meets all the requirements listed below may apply, provided that the principal co-production partner is an artist active in an ASEAN country from this fiscal year onward.
Last updated September 8, 2025
*We have corrected an error in the deadline time within the Application Instructions.
| Program outline | International Creations in Performing Arts (PDF: 148KB) | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Area | Japan |
| Applicant | Organization / Individual | |
| Application Deadline | Apply through Online Application Portal by 1 p.m., December 2, 2025 (Japan Standard Time) | |
| Application Form | Q-IC (available in Japanese only) | |
| Application Instructions / Application Form |
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3. Grant Program for Enhancing Cultural Exchange and Networks in Asia [WA2.0]
As part of the “Partnership to Co-create a Future with the Next Generation: WA Project 2.0,” this program aims to provide partial support to Japan-based organizations implementing people-to-people exchange projects in the cultural and artistic fields to foster next-generation exchange and development, mainly with ASEAN countries.
Last updated September 2, 2025
| Program outline | Grant Program for Enhancing Cultural Exchange and Networks in Asia (PDF: 141KB) | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Area | Japan |
| Applicant | Organization | |
| Application Deadline | Apply through Online Application Portal by 1 p.m., December 2, 2025 (Japan Standard Time) | |
| Application Form | Q-NWA (available in Japanese only) | |
| Application Instructions / Application Form |
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4. The Japan Foundation Fellowship for Arts and Culture in Asia [WA2.0]
As a part of the “Partnership to Co-create a Future with the Next Generation: WA Project 2.0”, this program grants fellowship with the aim of developing human resources in the fields related to Arts and Culture to those who cultivate and nurture transnational collaborating/co-creating projects in Japan, ASEAN countries, and Timor-Leste.
Last updated September 2, 2025
| Program outline | The Japan Foundation Fellowship for Arts and Culture in Asia (PDF: 152KB) | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Area | Japan, ASEAN member countries, and Timor-Leste. |
| Applicant | Individuals | |
| Application Deadline | Apply through Online Application Portal by 1 p.m., December 2, 2025 (Japan Standard Time) | |
| Application Form | Q-FWA | |
| Application Instructions / Application Form |
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| Reference | ||
5. Ishibashi Foundation/The Japan Foundation Fellowship for Research on Japanese Art
This program aims to support the development of professionals specializing in the study of Japanese visual arts by providing an opportunity for curators and researchers from abroad to conduct research in Japan, and by so doing, promote the study of the field and the introduction of Japanese art overseas.
This fellowship is implemented by the Japan Foundation with generous funding from the Ishibashi Foundation.
Last updated September 2, 2025
| Program outline | Ishibashi Foundation/The Japan Foundation Fellowship for Research on Japanese Art Program Outline (PDF: 140KB) | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Area | Overseas |
| Applicant | Individual | |
| Application Deadline | Apply through Online Application Portal by 1 p.m., December 2, 2025 (Japan Standard Time) | |
| Application Form | Q-FW | |
| Application Instructions / Application Form | ||
| Reference | ||
6. Exhibitions Abroad Support Program
This program is designed to provide financial support for museums and art institutions overseas that organize exhibitions introducing Japanese art and culture to audiences overseas. In addition, this program is designed to support overseas international exhibitions such as biennials/triennials introducing Japanese artists and their works.
Last updated September 2, 2025
| Program outline | Exhibitions Abroad Support Program (PDF: 135KB) | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Area | Overseas |
| Applicant | Organization | |
| Application Deadline | Apply through Online Application Portal by 1 p.m., December 2, 2025 (Japan Standard Time) | |
| Application Form | Q-EAS | |
| Application Instruction / Application Form |
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| Reference | ||
7. Support Program for Translation and Publication
This program is designed to provide partial financial support for overseas publishers intending to translate and publish works originally written in Japanese. The program aims to foster better understanding of Japan by encouraging overseas publishers to translate and publish Japanese works. The grant covers part of the translation and/or publication costs (e.g. costs for paper, typesetting, platemaking, printing, and binding).
Last updated September 2, 2025
| Program outline | Support Program for Translation and Publication (PDF: 161KB) | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Area | Overseas |
| Applicant | Organization | |
| Application Deadline | Apply through Online Application Portal by 1 p.m., December 2, 2025 (Japan Standard Time) | |
| Application Form | Q-TPS | |
| Application Instructions / Application Form | ||
| Reference | ||
8. U.S. and European Museum Infrastructure Support Program
This program is designed to provide financial support for U.S. and European museums to further promote constant and effective use of their Japanese art collections and thereby assist the establishment of an infrastructure to exhibit Japanese art.
- *The call for proposals for FY 2026 has yet to be determined. If the Japan Foundation starts call for proposals for FY 2026, it will be announced on the website.