The Activities of the Japan Foundation

Culture: Arts and Cultural Exchange
Presenting Japan's Diverse Arts and Culture Overseas

To cultivate mutual understanding, we carry out numerous projects to introduce to people around the world the diverse charms of Japanese culture, from traditional performing arts to contemporary arts, through performances, exhibitions, literary works, film screenings and television broadcasts.
We also engage in activities such as dispatching and inviting experts as well as holding workshops for human resources development and networking in arts and culture.

Exhibitions

The Japan Pavilion exhibition Cosmo-Eggs at the 58th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
Photo : ArchiBIMIng

La Biennale di Venezia has a 120-year history and attracts widespread attention globally. The Japan Foundation hosted the exhibition Cosmo-Eggs at the Japan Pavilion at the 58th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2019. The Cosmo-Eggs exhibition, which was led by five members SHITAMICHI Motoyuki (artist), YASUNO Taro (composer), ISHIKURA Toshiaki (anthropologist), NOUSAKU Fuminori (architect) and HATTORI Hiroyuki (curator), drew over 351,000 visitors while earning favorable acclaim.

In addition, 17 exhibitions visited various countries throughout the world in FY2019 as ongoing programs undertaken globally. The Japan Foundation also held exhibitions with diverse themes ranging from ceramics, crafts and Japanese dolls to contemporary art, photography, architecture and design in 75 cities in 46 countries and regions, and these exhibitions attracted approximately 310,000 visitors.

Stage Performances

+51 Aviación, San Borja performance by KAMISATO Yudai and the Okazaki Art Theatre in Mexico
(c) Carlos Alvar

On the milestone of the Year of Japan-Peru Exchange (120th anniversary of Japanese migration to Peru), the Okazaki Art Theatre performed +51 Aviación, San Borja, a stage work by KAMISATO Yudai that traces the roots of Japanese immigrants in Peru and Mexico. These performances were highly acclaimed by local newspapers and left an indelible mark in these regions where there is scant opportunity for the advancement of Japanese contemporary theater. Meanwhile, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Japan Cultural Institute in Cologne, Germany, the Umewakakennohkai staged Noh performances in Germany and Switzerland. The performance in Grand Hall, Philharmonie Berlin, also held as a Musikfest Berlin's official program, won plaudits as the first full-scale Japanese Noh Theatre performance at the prestigious venue. In addition, the Itami Municipal Itami High School brass band ICHI☆ ITA JAZZ Ensemble and Akita Prefecture's Nishimonai Bon Odori performed at the Japan-Korea Exchange Festival in Seoul. Also, the Japan Foundation held performances that were the highlights of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. in the United States and the London Japan Matsuri in the United Kingdom.

Noh Performance at the Kölner Philharmonie in Germany

Japan-Russia Film Exchange Program

In Russia, based on the achievements of the Japanese Film Festival held during the "Year of Japan in Russia" in 2018, Japanese Film Festivals mainly screening new films were held in 10 cities to deepen future exchanges between Japan and Russia. Besides screening these film works, the Japan Foundation dispatched producers and directors from Japan to hold workshops for local students studying animation and to create opportunities for interacting with fans of Japanese films. Also, because there is a high level of interest in Japanese classical films in Russia, special screenings of films by director YAMADA Yoji were held in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Together with the Japanese Film Festival, around 20,000 fans enjoyed Japanese films.

Opening of the 53rd Japan-Russia Film Festival in Moscow

Japanese Film Screenings across China

In China, based on the achievements of programs carried out in conjunction with the 45th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations Between Japan and China in 2017 and the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China in 2018, Japanese films were screened in eight cities across China to promote mutual film exchanges and to secure more opportunities for Japanese film screenings in China. Over 6,700 spectators were able to enjoy these Japanese films.

Introducing Japanese Television Programs

We implement projects for introducing Japanese television programs that promote an understanding of Japan in countries and regions where there is difficulty in broadcasting Japanese content. In FY2019, 722 Japanese television programs, including dramas, anime, variety shows, films and documentaries, were broadcast in 84 countries and regions.