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International cultural exchange not only contributes to the development of Japanese culture, but is also very important to the improvement of mutual understanding between Japan and other countries. Because of the marked rise in interest in Japanese culture that has been expressed by other countries in recent years, it has become necessary to strive for an increased understanding of Japan overseas. At the same time, it is also important for Japan to actively promote international cultural exchange in order to make a contribution to the world in the area of culture.

According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs' "Artistic Activity Consciousness Survey", both artists and art organizations recognize the significance of international cultural exchange in that it is an effective means of introducing Japanese culture abroad, as well as being a means of upgrading Japan's own artistic activities through performing overseas (Chart 1-4-1). When divided according to age group, the survey data indicated that younger artists display a higher degree of willingness to participate in international art projects. However, according to the "Opinion Poll on International Exchange", which was done by the Prime Minister's Office in February, 1993, in response to the question. "To what degree do you think Japanese culture is understood by foreign countries?", as many as 60.8 % of the respondents answered. "not understood." This data clearly shines a light on the importance of international cultural exchange as a means of increasing the degree of understanding of Japanese culture on the part of people from outside of Japan (Chart l-4-2).

Up until the present time. Japan's involvement in cultural exchange mainly meant the absorption of foreign culture, which could hardly be considered an exchange that was mutual in nature. As a member of the global community, there is no question of the importance of Japan's attempting to broaden and deepen foreign countries' understanding of its culture for the purpose of promoting friendship and cooperation with those countries; what is of even greater importance is that Japan continue to develop as it participates in the creation of a new culture for a future international society.

In recent years, Japan has been receiving an increasing amount of requests from other countries, examples of which include requests for displays of Japanese artwork and exhibitions of both classical and modern performing arts, for the purpose of introducing Japanese traditional and modern culture abroad. In order to enable other countries to deepen their understanding of Japan's modern culture as well as its traditional culture, it is necessary to respond to these requests positively.

In light of the important role that international cultural exchange plays in promoting mutual understanding among members of the international society, the Agency for Cultural Affairs is engaged in various cultural exchange programs in collaboration and cooperation with such organizations as the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other associated governmental organizations, the Japan Foundation and other organizations with special corporation status, and other national and international organizations. More specifically, the Agency is conducting programs both to dispatch and invite artist and experts, to provide the Japanese people with opportunities to appreciate the art and culture of foreign countries, to introduce Japanese art and culture abroad and to cooperate internationally for the preservation and restoration of cultural properties, all for the purposes of creating new culture and disseminating art and culture. The Agency plans to continue to actively promote these types of activities.

Chart l-4-1 Attitudes to International Cultural Exchange

Chart l-4-2 Degree of Foreign Countries' Understanding of Japanese Culture