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A general overview of the state of the main creative artistic activities conducted by Japanese artists shows that the number of staged performances (music, dance and drama) increased considerably from 23.656 in 1987 to30,074 in 1991 (Chart I-1-3). The number of new literary publications increased as well, from 6.993 in 1987 to 8.833 in 1991. The artist population also showed an increase, particularly in the number of musicians and designers (Chart I-1-4).

Chart l-1-3 The Number of Staged Performances

Chart l-1-4 The Artist Population Classified by Fields

As the creative artistic activities continued to increase quantitatively as can be seen from the "Culture Consciousness Survey", members of the general public reported numerous experiences of opportunities for cultural appreciation in the previous year, mainly in the areas of art and cinema (Chart I-1-5). Their participation in cultural activities during the previous year also showed a marked increase. mainly in areas closely connected with daily life (Chart I-1-6).

Chart l-1-5 Experiences of Opportunities for Cultural Appreciation during the Previous Year (Adults)

Chart l-1-6 Participation in Cultural Previous Year (Adults)

These numbers reflect the great amount of interest displayed in

Culture, not only that of a passive nature such as fine art appreciation, but

Also in activities which invite spontaneous participation.

Involvement by the artists themselves in activities whose purpose is to raise the level of the arts and voluntary participation by a wide range of members of the general public in activities that foster the culture are two important factors in the building of a "culture- communicating society". A possible interpretation of this trend of increasing numbers of people voluntarily participating in cultural activities is that a base for the communication of culture is being created. On the Other hand, it is also true that, as the results of these surveys show, there is a large degree of variation according to the field, both in the areas of passive cultural enjoyment and active participation.