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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > Japanese Government Policies in Education, Science, Sports and Culture 2000 > Part 1 Chapter 1 Section 1 6

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Part 1 Toward a Culturally-Oriented Nation
Chapter 1 Japanese Culture Today
Section 1: The Environment Surrounding Culture
6. Raising Cultural Awareness in the Local Community



(1) Conditions of Cultural Administration in Local Governments

The demand for culture, as previously mentioned, is increasing in regions throughout the country, and responding to this demand is becoming an increasingly important issue for prefectural and municipal governments.

In FY1997, total culture-related expenditures, comprising arts- and culture-related expenditures and cultural properties-related expenditures, reached 837.9 billion yen, 1.7 times the amount spent in FY1989 (See Figure 1-1-30 ). This is approximately ten times the budget of the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Of the expenditures, 699.7 billion yen is devoted to arts and culture expenditures, the breakdown of which is 77.1 billion yen for arts and culture expenditures, 240.3 billion yen for cultural facilities expenses, and 382.3 billion yen (a comparatively large portion) for cultural facilities construction expenditures (See Figure 1-1-31 ). The protection of cultural properties receives 138.3 billion yen.

Figure 1-1-30 Change in Culture-related Expenditures of Local Governments

Figure 1-1-31 Change in the Breakdown of Arts and Culture-related Expenditures

However, following the collapse of the bubble economy, culture-related expenditures of local governments began to decrease from a peak of 955 billion yen in FY1993. In particular, cultural facilities building expenditures fell from 587.9 billion yen in FY1993 to 382.3 billion yen in FY1997. The primary reason for this decrease is thought to be restrictions placed on expenditures for the construction of cultural facilities such as art museums and culture halls, which were previously liberally built. Worsening financial circumstances of local governments have also given rise to a similar situation; for example, public art museums are experiencing a shortfall of purchasing expenses for works of art.

It has also been pointed out that the activities conducted by public culture halls are not particularly dynamic. Although these culture halls are meaningful as a base for the cultural activities of residents, recently, the appearance of culture halls that primarily conduct performances on their own and possess independent theater groups, etc., such as the Hyogo Prefectural Piccolo Theater and the Art Tower Mito, has attracted attention.

According to the Prime Minister's Office's "Public Opinion Poll on Culture" (November 1996), although there still exists a great deal of demand for "establishing and enriching cultural facilities" (52.0%), demand has decreased compared to 1987. On the other hand, demand for "providing information about culture" and "training and dispatching instructors" is on the rise, which indicates an increase in the number of people calling for a shift from physical facilities ("hardware") to programs provided within these facilities ("software") (See Figure 1-1-32 ).

Figure 1-1-32 Demand for the Revitalization of Local Culture


(2) Regional Economic Development Using Various Cultural Resources

As mentioned above, historic streets and unique traditional culture are used in the promotion of local culture. In addition, cultural facilities such as culture halls, libraries, art museums, and museums have also been cited as resources used for regional revitalization. In particular, these have clearly become a base for regional cultural activities in urban areas. According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs' "Survey Concerning the Trends of Art and Culture in Japan" (2000), "culture halls" and "lifelong learning facilities such as citizens' public halls" were often cited as facilities used as a forum for cultural activities (See Figure 1-1-33 ). In line with responding to lifelong learning and the comprehensive five-day school week, it will be necessary for public cultural facilities to strive to become places that residents find more accessible and appealing.

Figure 1-1-33 Cultural Facilities That Should Be Close By

According to the "Actual Conditions Survey on Local Governments' Culture Administration" (2000) by the Agency for Cultural Affairs targeted at major cities such as designated cities, "providing information on the content of cultural facilities and organizations," "making facilities barrier-free" and "extending activities to residents by implementing programs aimed at residents" were raised as matters being undertaken for the effective use of cultural facilities (See Figure 1-1-34 ). Also, "holding free or low-cost exhibitions and performances," "sponsoring lectures and symposia" and "holding skill courses and workshops" were cited as activities to popularize the arts conducted at these cultural facilities (See Figure 1-1-35 ).

Figure 1-1-34 Matters Being Undertaken for the Effective Use of Cultural Facilities

Figure 1-1-35 Activities to Popularize the Arts Conducted at Cultural Facilities

In various parts of the country, unique and individual festivals and events, folk arts, and traditional crafts have been passed down to future generations, and many historic buildings and streets and other historic sites still remain. As the Government is working to protect these through the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, and local governments are establishing ordinances for the protection of cultural properties and independently designating cultural properties that they consider valuable, the central and local government have formed structures to work towards the protection from their respective perspectives, in accordance with the diverse values of cultural properties (See Table 1-1-12 ).

Table 1-1-12 Number of Cultural Facilities Designated or Appointed by Prefectural and Municipal Governments

As these traditional cultures are closely linked to local life and industry, they are in danger of extinction as a result of depopulation, the dwindling birth rate, aging of the population, and the stagnation of the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry. At the same time, there are examples of efforts to revitalize local areas through exchange between urban and rural areas using these forms of traditional culture. The Japanese Government established the Law for the Promotion of Infrastructure Development for Leisure Activities in Farming and Fishing Villages in 1995, and is working to establish infrastructure to encourage "green tourism" in urban dwellers.

Also, in areas which produce traditional crafts, efforts are being made to develop new products making use of traditional techniques and expand demand for these products. The Japanese Government is supporting the efforts of these production regions based on the Law Concerning the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries.

Through the efforts of local governments, the Japan Foundation for Regional Art-Activities was established in 1994 for the purpose of realizing regional economic rich in creativity by fostering the arts and culture. The Japan Foundation for Regional Art-Activities provides financial support to arts and cultural activities conducted by local governments throughout Japan and related incorporated nonprofit organizations. Independent activities of the Japan Foundation for Regional Art-Activities include training and exchange activities, the revitalization of public cultural facilities, information exchange and surveys. It is expected to contribute to the promotion of regional culture in line with governmental policies.


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