Cool Japan: Japan’s Cultural Power (Tokyo Event)

Please note:  This program is held in Tokyo, Japan

Organized by Japan Society, America-Japan Society of Tokyo and Nihon Keizai Shimbun.

The 1990’s were described as a “lost decade” in Japan due to its moribund economy and the lack of any sign of recovery.  On the other hand, Japan’s “soft power” was gaining global attention.  Today, Japan’s cultural energy is evident in manga, computer game software, design, fashion, food and pop music.  This “soft power” is based on Japanese tradition, but is also uniquely contemporary.

This symposium will focus on “soft power” as national power, as defined by writer Doug McGray in his Foreign Policy article “Japan’s Gross National Cool” (May/June 2002).  A panel discussion featuring the creators of “Cool Japan” will define Gross National Cool and its broader implications. 

Admission is free.

Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Time: 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Location: Nikkei Hall, Nihon Keizai Shimbun-SHA 8F, 1-9-5 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8066
Language: English and Japanese (simultaneous translation)

Program: 
Session One: “Gross National Cool: Now and in the Future”

Moderator
Hirotsugu Koike, Senior Editor, Nihon Keizai Shimbun

Panelists
Masakazu Yamazaki, playwright & President of Toa University
Douglas McGray, journalist

Session Two: ” Creators of Cool”

Moderator
Yasuki Hamano, Associate Professor, Tokyo University

Panelists
Masaharu Morimoto, owner and chef, Restaurant “Morimoto”
Kunihiko Ikuhara, ANIME film director (Sailor Moon)
Masakazu Kubo, Chief Creative Director, Character Business Center, Shogakukan (Pokemon game, TV anime, character goods)

Registration

Mail, fax or e-mail your name, address, including postal code number and telephone number to:

COOL Japan Symposium Office
2-1-2 Uchi-kanda, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 101-0047

Fax: 03-5294-2470
E-mail: [email protected]

Deadline is November 5, 2003.  Registration card will be mailed.

For further questions, please call 03-5294-2405.