The Activities of the Japan Foundation
The Japan Foundation Asia Center
Arts and Cultural Exchange Programs
Asia Center promotes exchange programs among the people of Asia in a wide range of fields such as art, films, performing arts, sports, grassroots exchange and intellectual exchange. We create a new Asian culture together through interaction, collaboration and respect for diversity and people's identity.
Thailand and Japan International Collaboration in Performing Arts
Pratthana — A Portrait of Possession is a contemporary theatre production completed after years of international collaboration. It is based on a novel by Thai writer Uthis Haemamool that was adapted for the stage by playwright/director OKADA Toshiki, TSUKAHARA Yuya as a scenographer and Thai actors and staff from Japan and Thailand. The stage production was first performed in Japan as part of Asia in Resonance 2019. Eleven performances and related events attracted a total of 1,800 viewers. The theatre production was awarded the Special Jurors Prize and the Outstanding Staff Award at the 27th Yomiuri Theater Awards.
Photo: KONO Yurika
Media Art Exchange Initiative
As part of exchange programs focusing on art and technology, the exhibition Open Possibilities: There is not only one neat way to imagine our futures was held in Singapore and Tokyo in cooperation with the NTT InterCommunication Center [ICC]. In the electronic music category, the Imaginary Line concert featuring artists from four Asian countries was held in Tokyo.
Photo: KIOKU Keizo
Photo courtesy of NTT InterCommunication Center [ICC]
Film Culture Exchange Projects with the 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival
In collaboration with the 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), 70 film professionals from Asia were invited to Japan and given the opportunity to further enhance a network that connects with Japanese peers. We co-hosted the CROSSCUT ASIA section of the film festival, which showcased Asian films, screening 10 Southeast Asian films, including horror, thriller and science fiction films. The screening and related events, including a symposium, attracted more than 2,500 people.
(c) 2019TIFF
ASIAN ELEVEN: Football Exchange Project between Japan and Southeast Asia
Under the slogan, "Create the most diverse team in Asia," the ASIAN ELEVEN team was formed from selected players from Japan, the 10 ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste. In June, a men's U18 international friendly football match between ASIAN ELEVEN and the Tohoku selection team was held at J-Village Stadium in Fukushima Prefecture. In November, a men's U16 international friendly match between the ASIAN ELEVEN team and the Thailand National Team was held in Bangkok, Thailand. Japanese vocal group Little Glee Monster sang "I Believe", the ASIAN ELEVEN theme song.
The 6th Sanriku International Arts Festival
Together with the Sanriku International Arts Promotion Committee, Asia Center held the 6th Sanriku International Arts Festival "FURERU" in Ofunato City, Kuji City, Otsuchi Town and Yamada Town in Iwate Prefecture and Hachinohe City in Aomori Prefecture. Barong dancers and gamelan musicians from Bali, Indonesia, and a group of gamelan musicians in Japan participated in the festival. A variety of "lions" both in Japan and from Indonesia performed powerfully together.
Photo: IDA Yuki
EYES for Embracing Diversity (EYES project)
With the goal of creating a multicultural society, Asia Center carried out a project to develop mid-level human resources in NPOs and cultural institutions in Japan and ASEAN countries. In a two-week training program in the Philippines and Japan, participants thought about model projects for including cultural differences and enhancing society through a "community design" approach using art.
