Enriching Culture

Across Japan, local traditions and culture have been handed down through the efforts of local residents over many years.

With the acceleration of the declining birthrate, aging population, and depopulation of rural regions, however, the future of these traditions and culture is increasingly uncertain.

Our generation today has an important responsibility to recognize anew the value of Japan’s traditions and culture, which are also a subject of interest and appreciation overseas, and to preserve what has been handed down from our forebears and pass them on to our children, grandchildren, and future generations.

We provide support to ensure that these world-renowned, rich, beautiful traditions and culture are preserved.

Projects

Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds

The Public Offices Election Act was revised in 2015 to lower Japan’s voting age to 18 from 20, making people aged 18 and 19 newly eligible to vote from the following year’s national election. Revisions to the Civil Code also lowered the age of adulthood to 18 for certain activities effective April 2022.

Paralympic Support

Held every four years since 1960, the Paralympic Games are a major international sporting event for athletes with impairments. Approximately 4,200 athletes from 164 countries and regions, including Japan, participated in the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the 14th time the event was held.

Traditional Arts Relief Fund

The Tohoku region of northeastern Japan is a treasure trove of traditional performing arts like kagura Shinto music and dance, tora-mai tiger dances, and shishi-odori deer dances. These arts and festivals suffered major damage when the Great East Japan Earthquake struck the region on March 11, 2011.

Iroha Nihon – Experience the Soul of Japan

Iroha Nihon is a project aimed at tourists from overseas who are interested in Japanese culture, providing them with a limited cultural program not otherwise available while staying at a temple or other historic building not generally open to the public.

The Nippon Foundation DIVERSITY IN THE ARTS

As part of its work to achieve an inclusive society that is rich with diverse individuality, The Nippon Foundation provides support in the area of “persons with disabilities and arts and culture.”

Nippon Bunraku – Experience Culture while Eating and Drinking

The Nippon Bunraku project aims to broaden the appeal of Bunraku puppet theater, a unique, traditional Japanese art, and to remind people of the value of Japanese culture.

Contact

The Nippon Foundation

cc@ps.nippon-foundation.or.jp