Commission of Trend Communicator of Japanese Pop Culture in the Field of Fashion

February 25, 2009

With a view to promoting understanding of and confidence in Japan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now planning to make more active use of Japan’s pop culture, which has been enjoying very high popularity among young people around the world, in addition to the traditional culture and arts that the ministry has so far used for that purpose.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has therefore decided to give a few young leaders who are conspicuously active in the field of fashion the title “Trend Communicator of Japanese Pop Culture,” commissioning them to conduct PR and other activities, and asking them to extend as much cooperation as possible for cultural projects to be carried out by Japanese embassies abroad and the Japan Foundation.
At 2:30 p.m. on February 26 (Thu), the Director-General, Public Diplomacy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will hand over a letter to the following three persons selected from, in particular, the fashion field out of pop culture, commissioning them as Trend Communicator of Japanese Pop Culture, or “カワイイ Ambassador.”

*　Ms. Misako Aoki: charismatic leader who features Lolita fashions

*　Ms. Yu Kimura: a leader of Harajuku-style fashion

*　Ms. Shizuka Fujioka: advisor of “CONOMi,” a well-known shop that sells school-uniform-type clothes

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