Culture - Japan-en
Japan and the Netherlands share a longstanding cultural relationship, spanning over four hundred years. The Public Diplomacy, Political and Cultural Affairs Section of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Japan helps to strengthen and further develop the bonds between the two countries.
Let's connect
Promoting cultural exchange
With our extensive network in the cultural sectors in the Netherlands and Japan and our knowledge of cultural institutions and key figures, we can advise on opportunities for cooperation. In addition, we can provide grants to cultural institutions in Japan that feature creatives from the Netherlands and to initiatives aimed at promoting international heritage collaboration.
At the base of our activities in the field of cultural exchange is the Netherlands’ international cultural policy. This policy is a joint responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Japan is one of the countries that has strategic focus in the policy framework 2021 - 2024. For more information about the International Cultural Policy please see the International Cultural Policy and the International Cultural Policy Framework 2021-2024.
Policy focus Embassy 2021 - 2024
Promote (market) opportunities for makers based in the Netherlands with an emphasis on newcomers to Japan. The basic condition is a collaboration with a Japanese organisation (Artist-in-Residence, exhibition space, etc.), preferably with emerging platforms with potential.
For example: Performance ‘Shadowplay’by Vincent Ruijters
(Further) development of established platforms and partnerships in which multiple makers can participate over a longer period of time instead of one-off events.
For example: Creative Residency AritaParticipation of makers based in the Netherlands in major cultural events, e.g. Setouchi Triennale, Yokohama Triennale, as this contributes to a stronger Dutch cultural profile in Japan.
Example: Puck Verkade at Yokohama Trienniale 2024Stimulate the exchange of new genres and crossovers, such as urban/street culture.
Promote knowledge exchange and joint research development in international heritage collaboration, and find solutions to societal challenges.
Example: Research and collected stories at Tarama, Dutch Trade Post Network
Creative residencies
The Embassy focuses on artist-in-residence programs , because these programs are effective in introducing makers from the Netherlands in Japan and securing follow-up assignments. AIR programs provide the possibility for makers to stay longer in Japan and therefore offer a more sustainable way of cultural exchange.
For example, the embassy, together with the Mondriaan Fund and the Creative Industries Fund supports Creative Residency Arita since its start in 2016. The beautiful results and products of the different participants show the possibilities when Dutch concepts and ideas meet with Japanese craftsmanship. Japanese institutions offer various Artist-in-residence programs for foreign artists. For an overview of artist residencies, visitAIR_J.
International Heritage Cooperation
The Netherlands and Japan share a history that goes back to 1600. The Embassy aims to increase knowledge about our shared history, values and freedom. Besides that, our goal is promoting sustainable preservation, management and accessibility of heritage and the protection and knowledge of intangible heritage. Heritage projects funded in the past include activities of the Dutch Trading Post Heritage Network, the Dutch graveyard in Nagasaki, and workshops on the revitalization of the historical inner city of Hirado. Moreover, the embassy wants to include aspects of the shared past which are less well-known or given attention to. In this spirit, we organized the Exhibition ‘Dutch Consul Zwartendijk and the hidden origins of Visas for Life’ to provide more background to the famous ‘Visas for Life’ of Chiune Sugihara by introducing the people who created the Curaçao Visa.
European Literature Festival and EU Film Days
The embassy is an active member of the Tokyo chapter of EU National Institutes of Culture (EUNIC Tokyo). We join cultural initiatives of the EU Delegation in Tokyo and cultural initiatives of other member states to promote the EU and its cultural diversity. The embassy especially focuses on its participation in the yearly European Literature Festival and EU Film Days. The events showcase the diversity of European film and literature and aim to promote European film makers and writers in Japan. These festivals also provide an effective platform to introduce Dutch films and literature.
Dutch literature promotion and language learning
For more information about the promotion of Dutch literature in Japan and learning Dutch for Japanese people, visit: Dutch Language and Literature. For information on traveling to and living, working and studying in the Netherlands, please visit Netherlands Worldwide.
Culture Funds in the Netherlands
Beside support from the Embassy, (financial) support for cultural cooperation and exchange between the Netherlands and Japan is also available through a number of Culture Funds in the Netherlands. Please be aware that these funds have their own priorities and criteria. Please find an overview of the Dutch funds as per below: