JF Special Stories

Three exhibitions co-organized by the Japan Foundation, born out of the exchange of viewpoints and opinions between experts overseas and in Japan, caused a great sensation in their respective host countries in the past few decades. Here, we will shed light on the background to the exhibitions, which were centered on the themes of avant-garde art, residential architecture and animals.See more

The Japan Foundation streams outstanding performances online for audiences around the world looking for an opportunity to experience Japanese performing arts. More than 90 productions have been presented in total, including those produced by the Japan Foundation.See more

The Japan Foundation has a long-standing relationship with Japanese studies in Europe. Let’s take a look back at the history of this relationship and examine recent trends in Japanese studies in Europe. The U.K.-based Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures is a great place to begin.See more

Since 2014, the third year after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japan Foundation has been continuously implementing projects to develop human resources for disaster readiness education through cultural exchanges with Asian countries and other regions.See more

The JF Nihongo Network connects core educational institutions that teach Japanese throughout the world. This project, nicknamed the “Sakura Network,” has developed a sense of solidarity that transcends educational levels—primary, secondary, or post-secondary—as well as national boundaries.See more

The Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI), which promotes Japanese culture in communities of the U.S. that have little contact with Japan, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The creative and enthusiastic efforts of these Japan-U.S. exchange coordinators are expanding the circle of friendship between the two countries.See more

The Japan Foundation has long supported researchers in Japanese studies around the world through a wide range of programs that bolster relations between Japan and other countries. As a result, a deeper understanding of Japan has been promoted in many different ways.See more

The Japan Foundation has had a focus on large-scale Japanese cultural festivals for many years. The key to broadening the understanding of Japan to as many as possible starts with the overall concept, coupled with close collaboration with the host country and related organizations.See more

After a massive natural disaster, supporting steps by locals toward recovery and rebuilding communities can be as important as work done to repair buildings and infrastructure. The Japan Foundation has been working on “spiritual recovery” through traditional and cultural exchanges in areas where disasters and conflict have occurred.
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The development of Japanese language education in the Middle East has centered around the Department of Japanese Language and Literature at Cairo University in Egypt, which was established with support from the Japan Foundation. This article traces the journey of Japanese language education and Japanese studies, which are bearing fruit in the Middle East.See more