2.Cultural Diplomacy

(1) Overview

MOFA and the Japan Foundation (JF) operate various projects to promote positive images of Japan in foreign countries, boost brand images of the entire Japan, enhance the understanding of Japan, and foster pro-Japanese individuals and groups for the future. For example, the “cultural projects of the diplomatic missions overseas” introduce a wide range of Japanese cultures from traditional to contemporary, animation, manga, fashion, architecture, and design. MOFA is implementing the “Japan Brand Program” to promote diverse attractiveness of Japan from craftsmanship aiming at a fusion of tradition and present-day to advanced technologies, through lectures and workshops by specialists dispatched from Japan. This program is meant to pave the way for international exchanges.

In addition, in order to cultivate understanding and support for Japan and to promote better understanding of Japan through Japan studies MOFA implements the following activities: provision of information on studies in Japan through Japan’s diplomatic missions overseas; building alumni networks of former foreign students in Japan; collaboration with the “JET Programme” which invites young people from abroad to local governments in Japan, exchange programs for young people and adults from Asia, North America and Europe; sending visiting professors to universities and research institutions overseas; and grant program for research activities.

Promoting Japanese language education overseas helps foster future leaders who will build a bridge between Japan and overseas, deepen understanding towards Japan, and lay a foundation for friendship with other countries. Therefore, MOFA engages in sending Japanese language specialists overseas, providing trainings for foreign Japanese language teachers in Japan, and developing Japanese language teaching materials, with the Japan Foundation.

It is also important to enhance the presence of Japan in the area of sports for the successful delivery of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo. As a part of the “Sport for Tomorrow” program, MOFA implements the following activities: various sport exchange/contribution projects in many countries; the dispatch and invitation of sport athletes/instructors by MOFA, by JICA volunteers or by the Japan Foundation; and the provision of sports equipment and the improvement facilities.

In addition to these, using the budget allocated to strategic communications, MOFA intends to enhance support for researchers of Japan studies, expand personal exchange and sports exchange programs and further promote Japanese language education.

In cooperation with the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), earnest efforts are being made to preserve the world’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage (see (7) for details). In 2015, the “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining” was inscribed on the World Heritage List.

(2) Culture Program

It helps maintain and improve Japan’s presence in the international community to boost understanding towards Japan among foreign nationals who form the foundation of public opinion and policy making as well as to make Japan’s image even more positive. With this importance in mind, MOFA engages in promoting diverse attractiveness of Japan through diplomatic missions overseas and the Japan Foundation.

The Japan Foundation Asia Center steadily implements “WA Project: Toward Interactive Asia through Fusion and Harmony” announced by Prime Minister Abe in December 2013 with two main pillars of support for Japanese language education and interactive arts and cultural exchange projects. Through the “NIHONGO (Japanese language) Partners” program, which is the core to support Japanese language education, 100 teaching assistants in total were dispatched to secondary education institutions in five countries of the Southeast Asia, and implemented the exchange program through the introduction of Japanese culture as well as Japanese language education in FY2014. As a result, about 98% of officials of schools, where the “NIHONGO Partners” were dispatched, highly evaluated the program, saying its activities contributed to the increased motivation for studies of students. In FY2015, the NIHONGO Partners program is planned to expand to eight countries in the Southeast Asia, with more than 200 partners to be sent. In the end, more than 3,000 persons are expected to be sent to ten Southeast Asian countries by 2020.

As part of the interactive arts and cultural exchange program, the Japan Foundation Asia Center implemented “Time of Others,” which introduced works by about 20 artists, mainly young ones, in Asia Oceania, and “Dance Dance Asia,” which aimed to connect Asian countries through street dances. The Japan Foundation also introduced Asian movies to Japan in collaboration with the Tokyo International Film Festival and held the Japanese Film Festival in Cambodia. In addition, in the field of sports, exchange project in football with the Southeast Asian countries were implemented in cooperation with J League as a part of “Sport for Tomorrow.” Japan tries to expand the program to various fields.

The International Manga Award was launched in 2007 by MOFA with the aim of rewarding manga creators who contributed to the spread of manga culture overseas. The 9^th International Manga Award of 2015 received 259 entries from 46 countries and regions, and the Gold Award went to the work of an Israeli applicant. This is the first time for the Israeli to be awarded and indicates the world-wide spread every year of Japanese pop culture such as animation and manga.

MOFA conducts large-scale and comprehensive programs in commemorative years celebrating diplomatic events in cooperation with governmental and private organizations through mutual visits of dignitaries, various conferences and public relations/cultural projects, aiming for effective promotion of the understanding of Japan. 2015 was the as Japan-SICA Friendship Year the following commemorative events took place: Ishimi Kagura performance was conducted in Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala; Ocarina performances in Nicaragua, Panama and Dominican Republic. These led to promoting a variety of Japanese culture by highlighting Japan’s local attractiveness.

(3) People-to-People Exchange and Exchange in the Area of Education

MOFA carries out a number of invitation projects to build personal relations and promote the understanding of Japan by foreign nationals who have a great influence on shaping public opinion and policy making process and who are expected to play a leading role in the future. Also in the area of education and sports, MOFA is in charge of various activities to promote exchanges between wide ranges of people. These projects not only promote mutual understanding and friendly relationships, but also increase Japan’s presence in the international community and as a rather significant consequence bring diplomatic benefits adding to the national interest of Japan.

A. Exchange with foreign students

MOFA actively introduces the attractiveness of studying in Japan to foreign students and opportunities to study in Japan through diplomatic missions overseas. It also implements application and selection procedures to accept competent students from around the world as the Government of Japan (MEXT) Scholarship students. Furthermore, it is making efforts to maintain relations with former foreign students who have returned to their home countries through “Japan Alumni Associations” and to foster pro-Japanese individuals and groups.

B. JET Programme (The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme)

The “JET Programme” was launched in 1987 to improve foreign language educations and promote international exchanges in local areas. The Programme received 4,786 participants from 43 countries including 1,958 new participants and dispatched them all over Japan in FY2015. In this program managed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, MOFA, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, local governments invite young foreign nationals to Japan and appoint them to a post in the local governments and schools. MOFA is responsible for the application and selection process at diplomatic missions overseas, pre-departure orientation and support for the activities of the JET Alumni Association (JETAA, which has about 28,000 members). JETAA introduces Japan in their countries, and many former JET participants are successful in various fields as pro-Japanese in different parts of the world. Former JET participants are valuable human/diplomatic assets for Japan.

C. Sport exchange

Sport enables communications beyond language and can be an effective tool for promoting friendly relations and the understanding of Japan. As a host country of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan is attracting much interest from foreign countries. The Government of Japan implements “Sport for Tomorrow (SFT)” program as an international cooperation through sport in January 2014. This program includes various sport exchange/contribution, promotional support, and human resource development projects in different countries, with the aim of spreading the value of sport by 2020, targeting over 10 million people in more than 100 countries. From FY2015, MOFA carries out the “Projects for Sports Diplomacy Enhancement” which enables dispatch and invitation of athletes and sports instructors, provision of equipment, promotion of sport diplomacy , and other exchanges through sports in a more prompt and effective manner in response to requests from governments and sports associations. These SFT projects have enhanced presence of Japanese sports organizations in the international sport community.

(4) Exchange in the Intellectual Realm

A. Japanese studies

MOFA comprehensively supports a range of overseas research activities related to Japan’s politics, economy, society and culture. In FY2015, MOFA provided various forms of support through the Japan Foundation. These included sending visiting scholars, enhancing the collection of books on Japan and providing research grants to 65 institutions of Japanese studies in 26 countries and regions, such as universities and research institutions which are considered as Japanese studies hubs. Also, fellowship status was granted to 182 researchers in Japanese studies from 44 countries/regions, including those who were granted in the previous year. This helped the researchers conduct research and study activities in Japan (including the scheduled one in the 4^thquarter of FY2015). MOFA also helps academic societies to promote network building among researchers and research institutions on Japan in different countries and regions. In addition, MOFA made contribution to American universities which are core centers on Japanese studies in order to establish professorships specializing in Japanese politics and foreign policy.

B. Intellectual Exchanges

MOFA implements intellectual exchange projects, putting emphasis on cooperative work and exchange with other countries. Specifically, MOFA implemented seminars and symposia on common international agenda, and programs to deepen the understanding of modern Japan at major universities overseas through the Japan Foundation. MOFA planned and supported exchange programs to strengthen relationships and deepen mutual understanding through holding conventions in various fields and at various levels in cooperation with NPOs and other institutions.

C. U.S.-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange (CULCON)

CULCON is a public-private binational advisory panel comprised of experts from Japan and the U.S. to discuss issues on educational and cultural exchanges between both countries. With a view to achieving the goal of “doubling two-way student exchanges by the year 2020,” which was set by CULCON and mentioned in the Joint Statement of the U.S.-Japan Summit Meeting in April 2014, the CULCON Educational-Exchange Review Committee was established. In September 2015, CULCON Special Seminar was held in Washington DC (U.S.) with the attendance of U.S. Congressman Mr. Joaquín Castro, co-Chair of the U.S.-Japan Caucus, to have discussions on topics such as the diversity in the U.S.-Japan exchanges. In addition, CULCON has actively discussing how to further enhance the bilateral exchanges and launched Ad-hoc Steering Operations Committee and Japanese Language Education Committee.

D. Cooperation with the UN University (UNU)

The Government of Japan invited UNU, which contributes to the international community through study and research on global issues and human resources development, to locate its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan and has provided various cooperation and support for 40 years. UNU, in collaboration with Japanese universities and research institutions, is engaged in international issues, on which Japan focuses, such as peace, development, and environment, and contributes to dissemination of the policies of the Government of Japan. UNU established Master’s and Doctoral Programmes in 2010 and 2012, respectively, to improve its global human resources development programs.

(5) Promotion of Japanese Language Education

The interest in Japanese language has been increasing among people, especially the youth overseas as Japanese companies have been expanding their operations overseas and Japanese pop culture is getting more familiar worldwide along with the globalization of Japanese economic structure. Further promotion of the Japanese language overseas leads to creating a favorable international environment for Japanese people and companies. Currently, about 3.99 million people in 136 countries and regions overseas are learning the Japanese language (“Survey on Japanese-Language Education Abroad 2012” by the Japan Foundation). The number of learners has been steadily increasing since the first survey in 1979 by more than 30 times. In 2015, approximately 750,000 examinees (the number of applicants, including tests conducted in Japan) took the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test of the Japan Foundation in 264 cities of 69 countries and regions worldwide.

MOFA engages in accommodating various needs of Japanese-language educational institutions through the Japan Foundation (JF): Specifically through dispatching of Japanese language specialists overseas, providing trainings in Japan for Japanese teachers and foreign diplomats overseas, developing teaching materials and promoting the “JF Japanese Language Education Standard.” Moreover, the JF aims to further increase the number of Japanese language learners overseas through further utilization of audio-visual teaching materials, such as learning aid websites which use animation and manga, and through directly managed Japanese language courses.

The JF has also been making efforts to create and expand the “JF Nihongo Network (aka; Sakura Network),” mainly at the JF overseas offices and universities where Japanese language specialists are dispatched since FY2007, in order to develop programs for Japanese language education responding to various needs of each country/region and to enhance partnerships among relevant institutions. In 2015, universities and Japanese language teachers associations, which are cores in implementing Japanese language education, are registered as new network members. The JF strives to further increase the number of network participating members from the previous status of 127, to about 280 and enhance assistance to these members.

(6) Cultural Grant Aid

The Government of Japan provides Cultural Grant Assistance, as part of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to promote culture and higher education in developing countries thereby enhancing mutual understanding and friendly relations between Japan and developing countries. The activities implemented in 2015 include nine General Cultural Grant Assistance Projects (total of 530 million yen) and 22 Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects (total of 210 million yen). In 2015, General Cultural Grant Assistance put emphasis on the preservation of the cultural heritage and the promotion of broadcasting programs, with Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects putting emphasis on the fields of sports and the Japanese language.

(7) Cooperation through United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

Japan is actively involved in various projects of UNESCO in the areas of education, science and culture, etc. UNESCO is the first international organization of which postwar Japan became a Member State in 1951. Since then, UNESCO has been cooperating with Japan in the support for education, science, and culture, etc. in developing countries.

In the field of culture, Japan offers active cooperation for safeguarding and promoting tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the world, and support in the field of human resources development as the pillars. At the same time, Japan actively participates in the international framework for safeguarding of cultural heritage. As part of such activities, Japan established two Japanese Funds-in-Trust at UNESCO, aiming for the safeguarding of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Through the UNESCO Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Preservation of the World Cultural Heritage, and with Japanese experts playing a leading role, Japan supports many projects for conservation and restoration of sites such as the Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi in Uganda, while contributing to the development of human resources so that local people can protect their cultural heritage by themselves in the future. Especially, Japan continuously supports the preservation and restoration of the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, which started in 1994, with the fourth phase started in 2012. Through the UNESCO Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the following projects have been implemented; handing down of traditional performing arts such as music and dance, and traditional crafts in developing countries to the next generation; development of domestic institutions and capacity building of relevant parties to enhance countries’ ability to protect intangible cultural heritage by themselves.

In the area of education, Japan sets up the Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Capacity-building of Human Resources, which aims to develop human resources in developing countries, and provides support for human resources development mainly in the area of education, through promoting “Education for All (EFA)” led by UNESCO, etc. As for “Education for Sustainable Development” (ESD),” Japan provided various support to develop the “Aichi Nagoya Declaration” adopted in the “UNESCO World Conference on ESD,” co-hosted with UNESCO, in Okayama and Nagoya in November 2014. Moreover, in September 2015, the prize winners of the newly established UNESCO-Japan Prize on ESD were awarded for the first time and the ceremony was held at the General Assembly of UNESCO in November 2015.

In addition, Japan contributed a total amount of 5 million US dollars to UNESCO: in March 2015, 4.5 million US dollars to the “emergency assistance to Secondary Schooling for Girls of IDP Communities,” which UNESCO implements in Iraq, and 500 thousand US dollars to the “Urgent Capacity Development for Managing Natural Disaster Risks of Flash Floods in Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, and Yemen.”

A. World Heritage Convention

The World Heritage Convention aims to protect cultural and natural heritage, which is regarded as the heritage of all mankind. Japan became a party to the Convention in 1992 (As of December 2015, the number of parties to the Convention is 191). The ones listed on the “World Heritage List” are so-called “World Heritage” sites. The sites are classified into “Cultural Heritage” (monuments and remains), “Natural Heritage” (natural areas) and “Mixed Heritage” (having elements of both cultural and natural). As of December 2015, a total of 1,031 World Heritage sites are inscribed on the World Heritage List. At the 39^th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Bonn, Germany in 2015, it was decided to inscribe the “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining” on the World Heritage List. It has raised the number of the World Heritage sites in Japan to 19: 15 Cultural Heritage and 4 Natural Heritage. Japan served as a member of the World Heritage Committee from 2011 to 2015.

B. Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage aims to develop an international system for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, such as traditional performing arts and traditional craftsmanship techniques (As of December 2015, the number of parties to the convention is 163). Japan, which has rich experience in safeguarding intangible cultural properties, has provided active contributions playing the role of engine for developing the Convention by taking initiative to form the major sections of the operational guidelines for the implementation of the Convention. The total of 22 elements of intangible cultural heritage in Japan are inscribed on the “Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” established in accordance with the Convention. It includes: “Nôgaku theatre”, “Ningyo Johruri Bunraku puppet-theatre” and “Kabuki theatre,” which have been proclaimed by UNESCO as “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” Currently, the nomination file of “Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan,” which was submitted by Japan is under the evaluation process; this is the extension of “Yamahoko, the float ceremony of the Kyoto Gion festival” and “Hitachi Furyumono,” which were inscribed in the list in 2009, incorporating similar festivals existing all over Japan.

C. UNESCO Memory of the World Programme

The UNESCO Memory of the World Programme was established in 1992 to preserve and promote valuable historical materials. As of December 2015, 348 items have been inscribed. The “Archives of Toji temple contained in one-hundred boxes” and the “Return to Maizuru Port—Documents Related to the Internment and Repatriation Experiences of Japanese (1945-1956),” which were submitted for the inclusion by Japan, were inscribed in October 2015. The number of registered Japanese items is five in total. At the same time, it was announced that documents relating to the “Nanjing Incident” that had been submitted by organizations in China were also inscribed. It is clear that Japan and China have different views regarding the issues related to the submitted documents. It is extremely regrettable that those documents were submitted for the inclusion and inscribed based on China’s unilateral assertions.

Japan, has been making its atmost effort to improve the system so that the programme become more harmonized with the spirit of UNESCO.