#Japan #Tokyo #Milan Event #Japanese Culture #EJ Forum

The EJ Forum: A New Journey for Japanese Traditional Culture

The EJ Forum, officially established as the Japan-Europe Traditional Culture Forum, will host a commemorative symposium on May 16, 2026, at the Tokyo International Forum. This event will delve into the vital conversation surrounding the overseas expansion of Japanese traditional culture and crafts, focusing on their market viability beyond mere preservation.

In recent years, the development of high-value-added industries that utilize culture, art, and local resources has been identified as a crucial challenge for regional revitalization. The symposium will question whether Japan's traditional culture and crafts can sustain themselves as viable businesses in international markets. The event will draw upon insights from the 'A KOGEI Preview in Milan,' executed in April 2026, sharing successes including sales figures, reactions from the market, and challenges encountered.

The venture in Milan was not simply an exhibition but a practical exploration of whether Japanese craft works can be sold, collected, and integrated into living spaces across Europe. There has been a concern that one-off promotional activities often end without effectively connecting sales to the market, leaving the efforts feeling insufficient. For local artisans to bridge the gap with international markets, collaboration between public and private sectors is necessary to harness expertise and networks while fostering continuous communication with local partners.

Key Discussion Points of the Symposium

• - Reports from the Milan Practices
• - Opportunities and Challenges for Japanese Crafts in the European Market
• - Essential Factors to Position Crafts as Marketable Products
• - Balancing Cultural Heritage with Business Viability
• - Requirements for Public-Private Collaboration

The symposium on May 16 aims to ensure that the Milan initiative is not a fleeting occurrence but rather a shared model for future endeavors. It will address not only successes but also visible frictions, pricing obstacles, and understanding gaps that emerged on-site. The goal is to explore a replicable framework to effectively market Japanese traditional culture.

Event Details

Name: Commemorative Symposium of the EJ Forum
Date: May 16, 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM (Lecture), 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM (Networking)
Location: Tokyo International Forum, Glass Building
Organizer: Japan-Europe Traditional Culture Forum (EJ Forum)
Main Theme: Can Culture Become a Market?

Featured Speakers:

• - Etsuro Ninomiya, Planning Officer, Ministry of Finance
• - Kevin Berthon, Director of HIS France
• - Takahiro Mizushima, Founder of B-Integrity, Netherlands
• - Chisato Kumakura, CEO of Edo Kiriko Company
• - Itsuki Tsuji, CEO of Japanesque Lab

For participation details, visit here.