Message from the President

I assumed the position of President of the Japan Foundation in October 2020.

Ever since its establishment in 1972, the Japan Foundation has played a key role in promoting cultural diplomacy for nearly half a century. It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be able to serve as president of the Japan Foundation, and I am determined to exert every effort to fulfill my responsibility.

I have been involved in various fields and regions since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1977. I was ambassador to both Switzerland and Italy and had the opportunity to be directly involved in the planning and implementation of diverse cultural and artistic events, beginning with programs to commemorate the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between these two countries and Japan as well as the Milan Expo 2015. During this time, I was able to witness first-hand outstanding Japanese culture and art that filled countless people with tremendous joy and excitement that elevated their respect for Japan and thereby served as a valuable asset for Japan's diplomacy.

Meanwhile, in my last job as a public servant, I was involved in negotiations with 11 countries as Japan's chief negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Although negotiations turned difficult when the United States announced its withdrawal and the outlook for the TPP became uncertain, I believe a final agreement could be ultimately reached thanks to the trust in Japan among the other participating countries. I am convinced this sense of trust is not simply because Japan's economy is large but rather because it is underpinned by respect for Japan's long history, culture and high technological capabilities.

The Japan Foundation has become a major force in promoting Japan's soft power diplomacy and nurturing ties between Japan and the world, with a focus on its three major fields consisting of Arts and Cultural Exchange, Japanese-Language Education Overseas, and Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange.

In 2019, which marked the beginning of Japan's Reiwa era, to further strengthen cultural ties with important regions and countries the Japan Foundation held two large-scale cultural programs, Asia in Resonance 2019, a cultural exchange festival between Japan and Southeast Asia, and Japan 2019 in the United States.

With the growing importance of Japanese-language education overseas due to the increased acceptance of foreign workers under the residency status of Specified Skilled Worker newly introduced by the Japanese government, the Japan Foundation developed the Japan Foundation Basic Test for Japanese (JFT-Basic) to measure Japanese-language skills needed for communication in daily life and work situations in Japan. This test was held in the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Nepal, Mongolia and Myanmar.

Since the start of 2020, the global spread of COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of numerous programs involving the movement of people across national borders and the gathering of large numbers of people. This has had an enormous impact on the activities of the Japan Foundation. Nonetheless, under the current circumstances where exchanges and cooperation between countries are stagnating, I believe it is more important than ever before to carry out proactive initiatives to maintain and further develop ties between Japan and the world through culture.

With an eye toward the milestone of its 50th anniversary in 2022, the Japan Foundation intends to actively undertake programs such as strengthening online cultural exchange programs matched to a new international environment and social conditions.

I look forward to your continued understanding and support.

UMEMOTO Kazuyoshi
President
The Japan Foundation
October 2020