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Vitalizing Japanese society with the “Power of Culture”“Power of Culture” Project

Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs Hayao Kawai (former), after being appointed, proposed efforts for improving the current situation in which even culture tends to become excessively concentrated in Tokyo, as well as efforts for further boosting and communicating the power of culture that is possessed by various regions, based on the idea of “working to vitalize Japan through culture.”

As part of this effort, the following three “Power of Culture” Projects were envisaged, and are being implemented through cooperation with the relevant parties. These efforts are connecting people with people and people with culture in the regions. Furthermore, they are garnering a great deal of attention for their significant impact on tourism and economic activities and invigoration of society.

1 “The Power of Culture from Kansai” Project

In March 2003, in response to the encouragement of then Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs Hayao Kawai with regard to “working to vitalize Japan through culture” and “in doing this, start with the Kansai region,” representatives from local governments, economic circles, relevant businesses, media agencies, and so forth in Kansai gathered, and the initiatives of “the Power of Culture from Kansai” Project got underway with the establishment of the Meeting of Promoters of “the Power of Culture from Kansai” Project in May and the Council for Promotion of “the Power of Culture from Kansai” Project in August.

In “the Power of Culture from Kansai” Project, widespread efforts have been made to initiate support activities and registered participation in projects, and proactive public relations are being carried out utilizing a common logo mark and a dedicated website. Registrations rose to approximately 5,800 as of November 2006, and expansion is continuing both regionally and in terms of quantity.

Various unique hosted projects are being planned and implemented by the Council for Promotion of “the Power of Culture from Kansai” Project, including projects hosted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs such as the World Cultural Forum and the International Performing Arts Festival. For example, the Gathering for the Power of Culture from Kansai takes place in January of each year, and “the Power of Culture from Kansai” Project Award is presented to people and organizations from Kansai who have contributed to brightening and invigorating Japan through culture. In FY2006, for Kansai Culture Day, which is held in November of each year, 273 facilities including art galleries, museums and so forth in regions supporting the project allowed free admission to their permanent exhibitions for a certain period of time, and received large numbers of visitors.

▲Then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi encourages relevant persons at the “Inaugural Meeting of the Council for Promotion of the Kansai Vigorous Cultural Sphere”

2 “The Power of Culture from Marunouchi” Project

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) transferred to Marunouchi in January 2004. Based on its participation in the “Otemachi, Marunouchi and Yurakucho District Redevelopment Project Council” as regional member, MEXT has been implementing “The Power of Culture from Marunouchi” Project in cooperation with the council since May 2004.

This project is aimed at boosting the power of culture in the area and using this power of culture to invigorate the town through measures such as increasing opportunities for people working in the area to come into contact with culture and the arts.

Opportunities for working people to be able to come into contact with culture and the arts are being provided, including the holding of traditional Japanese comic storytelling events, concerts, and so forth, through cooperation with artistic and cultural organizations, local companies, incorporated nonprofit organizations, and so on, which are carried out activities in a variety of fields. Efforts are also being made with regard to cultural activities and public relations activities being carried out within the area.

▲Marunouchi Cultural Encouragement Project Then Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs Hayao Kawai plays the flute at a lecture presentation

3 “The Power of Culture from Kyushu and Okinawa” Project

At the Festival of Traditional Culture: Living National Treasures of Kyushu and Okinawa, which was held in March 2006 at the National Theatre Okinawa, then Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs Hayao Kawai proposed “The Power of Culture from Kyushu and Okinawa” Project.

In response to his encouragement, in September 2006 the Council for Promotion of “The Power of Culture from Kyushu and Okinawa” Project was established, consisting of relevant persons from Kyushu, Okinawa and Yamaguchi, and “The Power of Culture from Kyushu and Okinawa” Project, which reaffirms the abundance of beautiful culture that has been passed on in the Kyushu, Okinawa and Yamaguchi regions and works to enhance and communicate cultural activities within the region, got underway. In September a dedicated website for the project began accepting registrations for participation.

A variety of cultural activities and events are being promoted in Kyushu, Okinawa, and Yamaguchi, such as the 21st National Cultural Festival Yamaguchi 2006, which was held in November 2006. Numerous projects of the Agency for Cultural Affairs such as the World Cultural Forum and the International Performing Arts Festival are also held in the region of Kyushu and Okinawa, centering on those with a focus on exchange with Asia and so forth.

“Culture” is not limited to things such as arts activities, historic buildings, traditional performing arts. “Culture” is an element of all activities of human life, including clothing, food, housing, modes of living, and values. The “Power of Culture” is the power to promote the building of a beautiful society that has culture, invigorates people, and vitalizes communities.

Going forward, the Agency for Cultural Affairs will continue to proactively develop initiatives to mobilize the “Power of Culture” of various regions and invigorate society in regions and Japan.

(For more information, please refer to the “Power of Culture” Project Website at http://bunka-ryoku.goo.ne.jp/)

▲Then Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs Hayao Kawai proposes the Project for the Power of Culture from Kyushu and Okinawa at the Festival of Traditional Culture: Living National Treasures of Kyushu and Okinawa