#Japan #Tokyo #graphic design #JAGDA #Kamekura Yusaku

Celebrating Graphic Design Excellence

The 2026 Kamekura Yusaku Award and JAGDA New Designer Award exhibitions will take place at GOOD DESIGN Marunouchi, Tokyo, from June 30 to July 30, 2026. This double feature honors outstanding talent in Japanese graphic design, showcasing works that reflect innovation and creativity.

Kamekura Yusaku Award Exhibition

The first half of the exhibition will spotlight Minami Tabei, the winner of the Kamekura Yusaku Award. Tabei's solo exhibition, “Light, Form, and Their Surroundings,” features a series of her photographic artworks that ingeniously combine objects, creating a dialogue between 2D and 3D forms. The exhibition will present her set pieces that recreate her subjects, providing an immersive experience that challenges perceptions of space and light. This unique approach has earned her widespread acclaim for its sophisticated exploration of depth and dimensionality.

JAGDA New Designer Award Exhibition

Following Tabei's exhibition, the latter half showcases a group exhibition featuring three promising designers awarded the JAGDA New Designer Award 2026: Takamasu Asano, Kazuyuki Ishida, and Mei Ootsubo. This exhibition presents a collection of the award-winning works alongside their recent creations, allowing attendees to appreciate the fresh perspectives these emerging talents bring to the graphic design field.

The venue for this celebration is GOOD DESIGN Marunouchi, a communication platform operated by the Japan Design Promotion Association. This is the first time that JAGDA has held exhibitions at this venue, making it a landmark event for both the association and the space itself. Attendees are encouraged to immerse themselves in the innovative spirit of graphic design that this summer in Marunouchi brings.

Overview of the Exhibitions

1. Kamekura Yusaku Award Exhibition

• - Title: Minami Tabei “Light and Form” Exhibition
• - Dates: June 30 (Tue) - July 13 (Mon), 2026
• - Organized by: Japan Graphic Design Association (JAGDA)

2. JAGDA New Designer Exhibition 2026

• - Featured Designers: Takamasu Asano, Kazuyuki Ishida, Mei Ootsubo
• - Dates: July 16 (Thu) - July 30 (Thu), 2026
• - Organized by: Japan Graphic Design Association (JAGDA)

The exhibitions will also feature related events, where attendees can engage directly with award winners, further deepening the experience. Details about these events will be available on the venue website and the JAGDA official site.

The address for GOOD DESIGN Marunouchi is:
3-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 1F of New International Building. The gallery is open from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and admission is free throughout the exhibition period.

Concurrent Event

In addition to these exhibitions, an exhibition showcasing selected works from the 2026 edition of Graphic Design in Japan will also be held in Roppongi during the same period. Visitors are encouraged to experience both exhibitions for a comprehensive look at contemporary graphic design in Japan.

Dates

• - Graphic Design in Japan 2026 Exhibition: June 26 (Fri) - August 6 (Thu), 2026, at Tokyo Midtown Design Hub.

About Kamekura Yusaku Award

Established in 1999 in honor of JAGDA's first president, Yusaku Kamekura, the Kamekura Award recognizes outstanding works in graphic design that showcase artistic excellence and innovation. This year's award goes to Minami Tabei for her exceptional contributions, with her exhibition highlighting her spatial design, visual aesthetics, and innovative use of materials.

About JAGDA New Designer Award

Since 1983, the JAGDA New Designer Award has served as a springboard for emerging graphic designers under 39 years old, promoting their works and careers. This year's award has recognized the talents of Asano, Ishida, and Ootsubo from a pool of 132 candidates, a testament to the vibrancy and potential of the graphic design scene in Japan.

For further information about the exhibitions and related events, please contact JAGDA via their official website.