Japan Information and Culture Center, EMBASSY OF JAPAN PRIME MINISTER, PRESIDENT CLINTON AGREE TIES IN “THE BEST SHAPE EVER”

Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and President Clinton concluded the first official visit by a Prime Minister to Washington in 12 years on a high note. “Japan” the President said, “is a world P leader for all humanity.” For his part, Prime Minister Obuchi said “since the black ships appeared off our coast in 1853, our bilateral relationship is in the best shape ever.” The Prime Minister’s trip started in Los Angeles where he toured the QE II which brought him on his first visit to the U.S. as a youth. He then threw out the first pitch at a Cubs game at Wrigley field in Chicago. In Washington he was hosted at a White House dinner, met with legislators and business leaders, and with the secretary of the late Robert Kennedy, who arranged a meeting 36 years ago between a young Obuchi, then a university student, and her boss, then Attorney General. The

MAY 1999 summit talks covered the bilateral agenda and security matters as well as trade. The Prime Minister voiced support for U.S. efforts in 5 the Kosovo crisis, and pledged $200 million in aid for Kosovo CONTENTS refugees, afflicted nations and the restoration effort. The two leaders also endorsed various reports, including the Second Joint Status Summit linked to many initiatives Report on Deregulation and the report of the Working Group on The Prime Minister brought new Investment. “I explained to the President that Japan is swiftly and security guidelines and aid for North Korea; forgiving foreign debt, boldly taking every measure in order to address the difficulties we WTO talks in Tokyo. 2 are facing,” Mr. Obuchi said, which aims at a “major turnaround” of Science Watch the Japanese economy. “We will soon regain vitality, we will achieve Technological innovation is recovery within 1999,” he said. Prime Minster Obuchi completed his transforming even standard appliances. 3 charm offensive in meetings with members of Congress, then flew Viewpoint home, drawing praise on Capitol Hill as he had at the White House. The time has come to rebuild the Japan-U.S. relationship in the new (see page 2) global economy. 4 Trends in Japan American gospel music is catching on in a big way; a seasonless culture? 6 Beyond Differences Basketmakers had to adjust to the changing needs of Japanese society. 7 Hirayama honored The Smithsonian recognizes great contributions to art preservation. 8

Prime Minister Obuchi and President Clinton greet one another during the welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, May 3. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) NEW SECURITY GUIDELINES LEGISLATION APPROVED

Just in time for the Obuchi-Clinton summit, the lower house of the Diet approved a set of bills enhancing Japan's security arrangements with the United States and J its role in safeguarding regional security. Prime Minister Obuchi, center, smiles while wearing a Chicago Cubs baseball cap The new guidelines, the first update of the given to him by Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa, right, May 1, in Chicago. Prime Minister Obuchi later threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the start of the Cubs Japan-U.S. defense guideline since 1978, allow game against the San Diego Padres. (AP Photo/Osamu Honda/POOL) Japanese self-defense forces to provide greater assistance to American troops in the area surrounding presence in Japan, the largest host-nation-support Japan. Some 47,000 American troops serve in payment of any of America’s allies. Japan under the 1960 security treaty and other North Korea’s firing of a missile over Japan related bilateral defense arrangements. last August and Asia’s financial crisis have raised Under the guidelines, set down in 1997, in the threat of greater instability in the region. Beyond the event of a regional crisis, Japan's Self Defense the new guidelines the two allies are working jointly Forces will help with rear support, search and res- on research of a missile-defense system. cue, and evacuations. The guideline will give the U.S. access to Japanese logistical expertise and in support of U.S. missions in the region. A BILLION FOR NORTH KOREA The upper house of Parliament approved the During the Prime Minister’s visit to the United legislation in a largely symbolic vote May 24. Japan States, the Japanese government signed an bears $5.4 billion a year to support the American agreement to provide 116.5 billion yen (yen equivalet to US $1 billion as of October 20, 1980) to the international consortium, the Korean THE U.S.-JAPAN COMMON AGENDA Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO), set up to build two nuclear reactors for Promoting Health and Human Development peaceful use by North Korea. KEDO is planning to • Women in Development spend $4.6 billion to provide two light-water • Population and health nuclear reactors to North Korea under a 1994 • Global food supply accord designed to deter Pyongyang from developing • Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases nuclear weapons. The Prime Minister’s decision Responding to Challenges to Global Stability was a difficult one after North Korea fired a missile • Counter-narcotics in August across Japanese airspace into the Pacific. • Counter-terrorism • Natural and man-made disaster reduction • Civil society and democratization NEW PLAN FOR DEBT RELIEF Protecting the Global Environment • Conservation AND DEVELOPMENT • Development assistance for the environment On April 28, The Government of Japan announced • Global change research a comprehensive plan for development and debt • Global Change Reasearch and Prediction relief for heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs). • Environmental and energy-efficient technologies The announcement is based upon the recognition • Environmental education that the time has come for the international JAPAN JAPAN Advancing Science and Technology community to further enhance the existing efforts NOWNOW • Civil industrial technology to alleviate the continued severity of the debt • Transportation problems faced by these countries. 2 • Educational technology for the 21st century The newly announced plan for G7 action, which builds upon Japan's previous efforts, calls for improving and enhancing existing measures under the HIPCs initiative, giving full SCIENCE WATCH consideration to the principle of fair burden sharing among creditor countries and international financial institutions. The plan includes proposals to increase the current Paris Club debt relief ceiling of 67% for bilateral ODA loans to 100% COOL NEW PRODUCTS (Japan will provide grant assistance for debt Domestic appliances, such as refrigerators relief, a measure which effectively results in the and washing machines, are often called cancellation of debt), to go beyond the debt relief C “mature products,” those considered to ceiling of 80% for non-ODA claims as necessary have evolved technologically as far as they can go. and to enhance international financial institutions' In Japan, however, new priorities and technological debt relief measures for loans extended to HIPCs. prowess are producing exciting new domestic Under the plan, the extension of debt appliances. Among these, refrigerators in particular relief measures is made conditional upon the have been changing drastically. recipient countries' active efforts to effect Japanese consumers want refrigerators that structural reform with positive outcomes. Also, hold more, take up less space, are energy efficient, indebted countries must develop the necessary and are easy to use. Over the past several years human resources in order to improve their competition has intensified among manufacturers, debt-management capacity so that debt relief resulting in more energy-efficient products. measures extended by donors can have the Improvements in ease of use have also been striking. maximum effect. Donors should positively provide Some of the biggest improvements have been in technical cooperation to facillitate this. the layout of refrigerator compartments. As the top provider of ODA, Japan has Traditionally, the freezer compartment has been on been making strenuous efforts to bring about the top, the refrigerator compartment in the middle, economic and social development of recipient and the vegetable compartment on the bottom. In countries. It considers that long-term, low 1990, however, Toshiba Corp. came out with a interest ODA loans, which enhance the principle model that had the refrigerator compartment on of ownership, have been contributing to the top, the freezer in the middle, and the vegetable development of many countries, and that initiatives bin on the bottom. Placing the freezer at waist must be based on the principle that HIPCs take height made it easier to get to frozen foods. This responsibility for and assume ownership of the was a big hit with consumers. problems they face. Then in 1996, Hitachi Ltd. came out with a model that had the vegetable compartment in the middle and the freezer on the bottom. This layout TRADE TALKS IN TOKYO made it possible to get to items in the vegetable Senior trade officials of Japan, the U.S., the compartment without bending over, and is becoming European Union and Canada met in Tokyo on May one of Japan’s most popular refrigerator styles. 11 and 12 to discuss how to format a new round of A variable-temperature compartment is world trade talks scheduled to start later this year in now fast becoming a standard feature. It can be set Seattle. They had a candid and vigorous exchange on five temperatures allowing consumers to match of views and agreed on various issues including the their refrigerators’ functions to their own menus following points: that the new round of negotiation and eating habits. Mitsubishi Electric Corp. is should cover a wide range of agendas; that it is selling a refrigerator with a new “soft freeze,” that desirable to conclude the round in three years; and allows food to be cut with a knife without being that the active participation of developing countries defrosted. The energy-efficient models are a far in the negotiations is essential. As for China's cry from the old standards. Inside are a ice and accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), temperature switching compartments, in any order officials agreed that the four parties will continue that the consumer prefers. This drastic change in a discussion with China so that China can participate domestic appliance is a testament to the ferocity of market competition; Japan has six manufacturers JAPAN in the new round as a WTO member. They also NOW agreed that it is necessary to promptly appoint the of refrigerators, each of which comes out with a next WTO Secretary General based on a consensus new model every year. This is another sign that of WTO members. even “mature products,” are candidates for 3 technological innovation. TRENDS IN JAPAN SEASONLESS CULTURE Although Japan enjoys diverse weather over the course of a year — with temperatures ranging from 25 to 91 Fahrenheit in Tokyo — the impact of seasonal change on the pursuit of pleasure is MUSIC FOR THE SOUL diminishing. Summery clothing and tanning salons Gospel is a music form most commonly remain popular into the winter, while seasonal sung in Baptist churches across the United recreational activities like skiing and trips to the States. It has long been a mainstay of beach lose their appeal. Businesses, recognizing M the disregard of seasons in leisure preferences, are African-American culture, but recently it has been attracting a growing following in Japan, especially rushing to create products and services to match a among young women. Most received their first seasonless culture. taste of gospel through movies or at church, and For example, the camisole, a thin, many develop an urge to sing themselves. Now revealing shirt that is often worn boldly as outer music schools across Japan have started adding garment, exploded in popularity last summer. gospel singing classes. The music's popularity But even after the first chill of winter the style stems from its inspirational message, and from the remained in vogue. “For young women, displaying sense of comradery it instills in those who sing it. skin and slim body lines is a fashion statement The African-American religious music that knows no seasonal distinction,” comments the form, from which jazz and blues are partly owner of a boutique. derived, has been sung in churches for over 100 A look into the women’s clothing sections years. Deep emotional expression and intense of department stores offers another cross-seasonal rhythms characterize its style. In recent years a look — racks of sleeveless turtleneck sweaters. more danceable, pop-based version of the music The garment is winterish in that it covers the has come to the fore, increasing its mass appeal neck, but because of its thin, see-through knit even more. material and absence of sleeves it is usually worn Gospel’s popularity in Japan can be traced in summer. The keyword in the fashion industry to the Sister Act movie series, released in Japan in this year is seasonless. And the summer tanning 1993 and 1994. According to one advertising obsession remains for young men, who are turning agent, “a lot of people became interested in gospel to tanning salons in winter months. after watching these movies. Afterward, the This trend of turning a blind eye to the number of Japanese who began attending gospel seasons, especially among young people, is services in the U.S. also escalated.” Live concerts affecting all modes of daily life, from food and are now held throughout the country to sellout drink to leisure. Ice cream is now consumed audiences, and many who listen to the music are year-round. Likewise, oden, a hot Japanese dish inspired to sing themselves. traditionally offered only in the winter, is now A number of these form groups and available at convenience stores throughout the perform at local churches and events. Last year year. Beer is another example. For years, special at a Christmas concert in Kobe, six different brews produced and marketed seasonally captured amateur gospel acts performed on alternate days. large market share, now one beer maker, says, Organizers were surprised when 50 groups signed “It’s no longer effective to market it as a seasonal up to participate, and auditions were held to select product.” the six winners. The Leisure Development Center reports Gospel singing classes are sprouting up in that the seasonal activities like trips to the beach, music schools throughout Japan. In Tokyo alone, and boating in the summer and skiing in the in 1998 over 20 classes were offered by various winter are declining, while “weatherless” indoor music school chains and culture centers. Most of activities like playing computer games and the class participants are young women “gospel watching video games at home are on the rise. fever,” you might call it.” So what is behind Some analysts believe the movement JAPAN Japan’s gospel boom? One magazine suggests that toward greater free expression, especially among JAPAN NOWNOW singing the inspirational music together with young people, is contributing to this change in the friends fosters courage and provides a boost national pattern of daily life. It is a bit ironic that 4 to the spirit. For many of these young women, this increase in individuality is over-shadowing the 4 gospel music is the perfect antidote for Japan’s distinctiveness of the four seasons that has colored recession blues. Japanese culture for so long. BY resulted in an average annual growth rate of only 1.7 percent from 1991 through 1997, compared to OSAMU NARIAI the United States’ 2.3 percent. Why has Japan become stuck in this prolonged recession? In the 1970s, the economy as a whole and individual corporations as well were quick to cope with the posed challenges, for example, by the rise of the yen following the switch The time has come to think about rebuilding from fixed to floating exchange rates and by the the role of the Japan-U.S. relationship to oil shocks that seemed to threaten the nations match the major changes that have taken economic viability. What has caused the adjustment place in the world economy. We also need process to drag on so long this time? The difference T to examine whether structural reform in is probably a reflection of the provenance of the keeping with these changes is in fact progressing difficulties. When challenged by external shocks, in Japan. the Japanese economic system was able to respond Of the changes that have occurred in the speedily and skillfully. world economy during the 1990s, following the But neither the government nor other end of the cold war, it is possible to cite three that economic actors have had a ready response for the are especially major. First is the rapid progress of challenges of the entirely new type of downturn, a globalization, whereby factors of production other recession led by a credit crunch, that has resulted than goods, such as capital, move on a large scale from the collapse of the internally-generated bubble unconfined by national boundaries. In the area of economy. Japan’s inability to stage a comeback has international trade as well, capital movements and had a negative impact on the rest of the world, service transactions have increased dramatically especially on the Asian economies, in the wake of alongside conventional merchandise trade. the currency and financial crises that have hit them Second, the launching of the euro at the starting in 1997. beginning of 1999 marks a shift from the state to And within Japan it has pushed the the region as the central concept, or in other unemployment rate up to 4.6 percent (as of February words, a shift from nationalism to regionalism 1999), higher than the U.S. figure. The cost of the in thinking about economic affairs. Third, the recession has been high, both domestically and information revolution has proceeded apace, internationally, but if this provides the impetus for providing the necessary technology for the actual the needed structural reform of the Japanese functioning of a global economy. Statistical economy, it can serve as the basis for sustained evidence of these changes is to be seen, for example, economic development in Japan and the rest of the in the growth rate of trade, which is running at a world over the medium to long term. faster pace than the world’s economic growth rate, The spread of the awareness that the long and also in the volume of cross-border financial recession is financial in nature, that it arises from transactions, such as buying and selling of the huge volume of bad loans being carried by foreign equities, the daily total of which is now banks and other financial institutions, has a tremendous $1.5 trillion — an amount accelerated the Japanese government’s policy equivalent to one-third of Japan’s annual gross response. The Bank of Japan pushed down the domestic product. interest rate on the call market, which is the The performances of the Japanese and U.S. short-term market for interbank lending; in economies against the backdrop of these changes March the rate effectively fell to zero. In addition, over the past decade are a study in contrasts. The the government injected a massive 7.45 trillion yen United States has been enjoying steady growth of public funds into banks to improve their capital with low unemployment and low inflation ever adequacy. The banks receiving these injections of since 1992. The principal power behind this has capital were given strict conditions. been information-related investment. But in Japan They were expected to finish getting rid of some have even been pronouncing the 1990s a their leftover bad loans by the end of March, and “lost decade” for the economy. Factors like the they were told to submit sweeping restructuring JAPAN delay in dealing with the non-performing loans left plans aimed at improving their operational NOW over from the collapsed bubble economy of the late strength. Though it was slow to act, the government 1980s, failure to keep up with the information has finally undertaken major surgery on the banking 5 revolution, loss of corporate and consumer system, including temporary nationalization of confidence, and inept government policy have institutions incapable of staging an autonomous recovery. Banks have received what is probably 1999, less than half the share of 65.1 percent their last chance, to free themselves from the spell recorded in 1991. Meanwhile, the share of the convoy system of regulation, and transform attributable to China has been rising slowly but themselves into efficient institutions operating on steadily; the figure reached 24.8 percent in January competitive principles. this year, making that country the largest single Reflecting these moves by the government, contributor to the deficit. the money multiplier (the measure of the extent to In the field of direct investment, as of 1997 which an increase in the monetary base causes an investment in the United States accounted for 38 even greater increase in the volume of credit), percent of Japan's total direct investment overseas, which had fallen sharply since 1992, has started the largest share by any target country. Going in rising again since October 1998. This is evidence the other direction, U.S. direct investment in that people's confidence in financial institutions has Japan represents 51 percent of the total of inbound recovered somewhat. In the period to come, we are direct investment, making the United States by far likely to see an acceleration of moves to consolidate the country’s biggest foreign investor. As Japan or close weaker institutions. Though we are not out moves forward with its Big Bang program of of the woods yet, the reform process offers the hope financial deregulation, American financial that Japan’s financial system will get back on its institutions have been aggressively moving into feet and start to operate more efficiently, allowing it the Japanese market. When Yamaichi Securities, to contribute to the global economy. formerly one of Japan’s top four brokerages, went The moves toward reform in the Japanese out of business at the end of 1997, Merrill Lynch economy are not limited to the financial sector, hired approximately 2,000 of its former employees. where it has become possible for institutions to This is one indication of how human resources are cross the traditional dividing lines between being employed productively through movement industries; significant progress has also been made between U.S. and Japanese corporations. in fields like communications, civil aviation, Meanwhile, the lowering of corporate tax commerce, and temporary staffing. Existing rates and the decline in the price of land are companies have been pushed to lower their prices making Japan a more attractive target for American and improve their services. As estimated by the investors. American purchases of Japanese stocks Economic Planning Agency, the relaxation of are also sharply on the rise. Going in the other controls on business, particularly as relating to the direction, Japanese investors own 7.9 percent of provision of telecommunications services and the the Treasury notes, which is a sizeable share and opening of large-scale retail outlets, and other about the same as British investors. aspects of business has produced economic The relationship between Japan and the benefits in excess of 8 trillion yen over a United States is thus growing ever closer in areas seven-year period. In order for further such other than merchandise trade. And this increased benefits to be achieved, it will be necessary to closeness is not only essential for the two countries’ smooth the way for new entrants by liberalizing use macroeconomic stability, but will also contribute to of existing physical infrastructure and improving an Asian economic recovery. Even though Japan is conditions for fund raising. running a huge deficit in its national budget–on Given the major changes that have taken the order of 7.8 percent of GDP in fiscal 1999–it place in the economies of Japan and other has announced plans for some $80 billion in countries, it is time now to review and update the assistance to other Asian countries, including $30 economic relationship between Japan and the billion under the New Miyazawa Initiative, which United States and the respective roles of the two is steadily being implemented. countries. It is anachronistic to attempt to measure The end of the long financial recession is economic affairs, whether globally or bilaterally, finally in sight. In order to ensure a solid recovery, by looking primarily at merchandise trade and it will be necessary to banish the specter of moral other forms of movement of goods. In terms of the hazard hanging over the financial sector. And bilateral merchandise trade balance between the moves are being made in that direction. We must two countries, the United States’ deficit with Japan keep up the drive to build a Japan that can hold JAPAN is continuing to rise because of the expanding its own in global competition. JAPAN NOWNOW demand being generated by its own booming economy. The merchandise trade deficit for 1998 • Osamu Nariai is a Professor at Reitaku 6 was a record $231.1 billion, but the share of the University. This article appears on the 6 deficit attributable to trade with Japan was 27.7 Foreign Ministry's Internet site at percent for the year and 23.7 percent for January http:www2.nttca.com:8010/infomofa “When Masanori comes back tell him to make a LIFE OF A BAMBOO sturdier rim for this basket. The baskets I make BASKETMAKER aren’t wobbly like this.” To prove his point, he gave me a colander that he had made. He left me with that injunction, and I never saw him again. The rim is the lifeblood of a colander; if it breaks, the basket falls apart. My teacher hadn't learned how Last month we looked at how the to make a really good rim. I was just an apprentice; development of the bamboo artisan’s craft I couldn’t dishonor my teacher, but even now I directly reflected the needs of the large cannot forget that Ushi-don. The wish to be like agricultural populations in Japan. Artisans him — to possess his skill — is with me still.” had responded readily to Japan’s L Basketmakers were a secretive group. agricultural needs with a variety of bamboo Since they depended on their own skills to make a baskets to transport or protect a number of farm living, they did not like to let others see how they products — vegetables, grains, fertilizer, grasses put baskets together. Ushi-don was known as a and others. This was before cheap plastics master who took no apprentices. replaced bamboo, and before many Japanese left But Hiroshima learned Ushi-don’s ways the farm to make better money elsewhere else, or with bamboo when he was asked to repair baskets to earn a living at a profession that didn’t require 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week dedication. made by the older man. He could see, as he You’ll remember that we were tracing the disassembled the pieces, that Ushi-don never took life of Hiroshima Kazuo, who spent his life in shortcuts — even in areas that would never be Hinokage, on the island of Kyushu, the seen by the customer. And he learned that this southernmost of the four main islands in the attention to detail meant that the baskets lasted Japanese archipelago. in their original shape for many years without Hiroshima might have lived and died growing loose. without recognition beyond his home region, Hiroshima used cutting tools that were except that he was the subject of a fine exhibition specific to the needs of a bamboo craftsman. of his bamboo crafts in 1995 at the Smithsonian’s When the Meiji Era began in 1868, samurai no Sackler Gallery. Hiroshima was the last of the longer had a place in society. This created a itinerant professional basketmakers who once problem for another group of craftsmen, worked in Japan. Because of a dislocated hip, he swordmakers. Many displaced swordmakers wasn’t able to engage in the farm work his family developed metalworking skills. Hiroshima’s pursued. Wanting to make a living without being a favorite toolmaker, Kai Teruyoshi, a descendant burden, he chose at the age of 15 to apprentice of swordmakers, made fine tools for Hiroshima himself to an itinerant bamboo basketmaker. for 35 years, until his death in 1991. His master, Kudoo Masanori, copied the Once Hiroshima completed his work of other artisans. Although Kudoo helped set apprenticeship in 1932, he left for an area in young Hiroshima on the road to self-sufficiency, it Oita Prefecture that was famous for its ornamental was Ushi-don (“Uncle Ushi”), who taught him basketry. His family however, told him to go back the difference between an ordinary and an to Hinokage because they were afraid he would extraordinary basket. The term “don” was used in learn to make baskets that were only beautiful, Hiroshima’s region as the polite equivalent of “san.” not useful. He did as they asked. Louise Allison Cort who, together with Hiroshima’s life was a lonely one. He Nakamura Kenji, wrote “A Basketmaker in Rural would stay with a family for a few days, making Japan,” explains that Hiroshima met Ushi-don new baskets or repairing old ones. He slept in the only once, by chance, in 1930, when he was house, but did all of his work outside, which was fifteen and Ushi-don was in his sixties. She quotes very hard in the cold. He would eat hurriedly, so him: “I was working in the hut at the side of the as to make the most of the hours of daylight. road that I shared with my teacher, who was away Although Hiroshima had many young apprentices fishing. Ushi-don happened to come by. A with him over the years, none stayed to learn his colander my teacher had made was hanging on craft, which saddened him deeply. JAPAN the wall. He asked me to show it to him. ‘For the NOW work of someone who hasn’t learned from a real • Carol Marleigh Kline, is a freelance writer teacher, it will do.’ he said. in Washington, D.C., who spent 11 years 7 He implied that it didn’t compare to his living in Japan. Next month she will write own work but was acceptable. Then he added, about The World of Sushi. SMITHSONIAN HONORS IKUO HIRAYAMA

In recognition of his great generosity to the Smithsonian Institution, Professor Ikuo Hirayama, President of the Japan Art Institute, was awarded membership into I the Order of James Smithson in a special ceremony on April 5. The Order of James Smithson is the Smithsonian’s highest level of donor Ikuo Hirayama, center, with Dr. Milo Beach, right, Director of the Freer and recognition, and has been awarded just five times Sackler Galleries and Dr. I. Michael Heyman, left, Secretary of the Smithsonian before. Professor Hirayama’s induction into this Institution, after the Order of James Smithson induction ceremony. prestigious Order, comes after contributing a total of U.S. and Europe also benefited from Professor $11 million in assistance to the Freer Gallery of Art Hirayama’s generosity in assisting with restoring and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. This honor is one Japanese art. of the crowning achievements in a life marked by a This remarkable project gave birth to tremendous commitment to the arts. other new cooperative ventures. In 1996, Professor Born in 1930, Ikuo Hirayama began his Hirayama personally arranged funding for the formal training in art at a young age. In 1952, he Freer Gallery to launch a national program to train graduated from the famous Tokyo National qualified American candidates in Japanese painting University of Fine Arts and Music, specializing in conservation techniques, and to sustain an ongoing traditional Japanese painting (nihonga). As a boy, exchange of technical personnel between the Freer Hirayama witnessed the nuclear bombing of and Japanese conservation studios. Hiroshima, an experience that would have a In the words of Dr. Milo Beach, Director of profound effect on his life and artwork, drawing the Freer and Sackler Galleries, at the April 5 him deeply into the religion of Buddhism. Smithsonian ceremony, “Through his remarkable Professor Hirayama’s paintings, inspired by dedication and perseverance, Professor Hirayama Buddhist ideals, and his travels to important has revolutionized the relationship between art Buddhist sites across Asia, gained widespread experts in Japan and those in the rest of the world... popularity, awakening a generation of Japanese to Within a decade, that is no small achievement.” their historic cultural roots. It was during his travels Future joint-projects are planned to expand upon that Professor Hirayama became keenly aware of the their mutual goal of art protection. extensive degradation of these significant Buddhist Today, Professor Hirayama continues to sites. From that point in the mid-1970’s, while dedicate himself to the preservation of cultural remaining active as a respected artist, he became a properties. In cooperation with the United Nations staunch advocate for the preservation of cultural Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization properties. In pursuit of this goal, Professor Hirayama (UNESCO), he hopes to effectively monitor the provided restoration support for various archaeologi- status of endangered artistic heritage sites around cal sites along the Silk Road in Asia, including the the globe. Angkor temples in Cambodia and the ancient stone cave of Dunhung, China. In 1989, Professor Hirayama’s first visit to JAPAN NOW is a publication of the the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery alerted him to the Embassy of Japan for distribution to readers in the fragile condition of many of the East Asian United States. However, the opinions and material contained herein do not necessarily represent the paintings in its collection. That initial visit views or policies of the government of Japan. developed into a massive program of aid, which

under his guidance, resulted in the restoration of Japan Information and Culture Center JAPAN forty of the Freer’s most important Japanese EMBASSY OF JAPAN JAPANNOW [email protected] NOW paintings. The project, active between 1991 and www.embjapan.org 1996, was funded by donations from Professor 8 1155 21ST STREET, NW 8 Hirayama in cooperation with the Japanese WASHINGTON, DC 20036 government. A number of other museums in the 202-238-6900