San Mon Aung (pen name: Myay Hmone Lwin)

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Country	Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Title	Writer, publisher, and cultural entrepreneur
Duration	Tuesday, January 27th – Thursday, February 5th, 2026
Places of stay	Tokyo, Kanagawa (Hakone), Fukuoka
Visits and meetings	Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, Terada Art Complex (Tennoz), Daikanyama Tsutaya Books, Japan Book Publishers Asoociation (JBPA), Shueisha Inc., Kanda and Jimbocho bookstore district, Mori Art Museum, Roppongi Piramide Building (art gallery complex), Yayoi Kusama Museum, The Hakone Open-Air Museum, Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Fukuoka Art Museum, Shogakukan Inc. (order of visit)

※On Friday, January 30 2026, the talk session “Where Are Words Headed?—The Current State of Literature and Publishing in Myanmar” was held featuring San Mon Aung and Professor Yoshihiro Nakanishi of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), Kyoto University.

https://www.jpf.go.jp/j/project/intel/exchange/yomu/2025/12-02.html

Report

San Mon Aung is an active publisher and writer in Myanmar who has also been dedicated to preserving the country’s artistic works—both historical and contemporary—as important cultural assets for future generations. He visited Japan for ten days to meet with professionals in the publishing and art sectors.

Through institutional visits, professional meetings, and cultural exchanges, San Mon Aung commented that he had gained clearer insight into Japan’s strong foundations in publishing, archival practice, and museum management—areas that are essential to the growth of Myanmar’s art industry—as well as potential avenues for future collaboration with Japanese counterparts. He also noted that the experience helped him better understand not only Japan’s systems but also the cultural mindset that shapes them.

On Friday, January 30, a public talk event was held featuring San Mon Aung and Professor Yoshihiro Nakanishi of Kyoto University. With Professor Nakanishi’s facilitation with deep insights into Myanmar’s history and current social conditions, San Mon Aung spoke about the significance and challenges of pursuing literary and publishing work amid the dramatic shifts in Myanmar’s political environment—from strict censorship to democratization, and ultimately back to military rule.

He also remarked, “The networking event after the session was especially meaningful, as I had many valuable opportunities to connect with Japanese individuals who are genuinely passionate about Myanmar literature and regional books. It was encouraging to see such interest, as in Southeast Asia attention often tends to focus more on Western literature.”

San Mon Aung also shared his intention to continue working with the Japan Foundation Yangon and other local cultural organizations to create more opportunities and spaces where the younger generation can learn, discuss, and explore creative ideas.

Meeting with JF staff members