VOL. 151 DECEMber 2020 REVITALIZING THE REGIONS: MUSEUMS AS HUBS 6 12 Cultural Assets Showcased as Art Appreciation in “Stories” Mountainous Yamanashi An interview with Aoyagi Masanori, former Yamanashi Prefecture with its Commissioner for Cultural Affairs at the magnificent mountain landscapes and Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government bountiful nature provides the perfect of Japan. backdrop to a number of art museums. 8 Upopoy: A Symbolic Space for Ethnic Harmony In July 2020, the National Ainu Museum and Park, nicknamed Upopoy, opened in the town of Shiraoi, Hokkaido. 14 Keeping the Splendor of Daimyo Culture Alive Features The Tokugawa Art Museum houses many works of art bequeathed by the castle’s historical inhabitants, the Owari Tokugawa family. 10 A Town Blessed with Nature and Tradition—and a Manga Museum In Yokote in Akita Prefecture, a pioneering manga-themed museum is attracting attention. 4 22 24 PRIME MINISTER’S TOPICS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DIARY Ceremonies for Proclamation Masterpieces Immortalized with Also of Crown Prince Ceramics COPYRIGHT © 2020 CABINET OFFICE OF JAPAN WHERE TO FIND US The views expressed in this magazine by the interviewees Tokyo Narita Airport terminals 1 ● JR East Travel Service Center (Tokyo Narita Airport) ● JR Tokyo Station Tourist and contributors do not necessarily represent the views of Information Center ● Tokyo Tourist Information Center (Haneda Airport, Tokyo Metropolitan Government the Cabinet Office or the Government of Japan. No article Building, Keisei Ueno Station) ● Niigata Airport ● Chubu Centrair International Airport Tourist Information & or any part thereof may be reproduced without the express Service ● Kansai Tourist Information Center (Kansai Int’l Airport) ● Fukuoka Airport Tourist Information ● permission of the Cabinet Office. Copyright inquiries Prefectural Central Libraries should be made through a form available at: www.gov-online.go.jp/eng/mailform/inquiry.html 2 | highlighting japan ISSUE 151, DECEMBER 2020 Theme for DECEMBER: REVITALIZING THE REGIONS: MUSEUMS AS HUBS apan is home to a large number of museums, and 16 these are located in regions Nara: A Treasury of Ancient throughout the country. Japanese Culture J Beginning this year (2020), the World Heritage sites and art and history Agency for Cultural Affairs, museums are among the attractions of ancient Nara. Government of Japan has designated qualifying museums as regional hubs for the 20 promotion of cultural tourism. Nature and Culture among the Aso Volcanoes In this month’s issue, we Aso Geopark in Kumamoto Prefecture is a introduce several such museums place to discover the abundant nature and as well as the regions and culture created among the volcanoes. cultures which they promote. 18 Kurashiki and the Art of the Bikan Historical Quarter Bikan, the historical quarter of Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture, is known for its beautiful townscape and as a place to appreciate fine art. 26 28 30 MY WAY ENJOY DRINKING ARCHITECTURAL TREASURES Rediscovering the Old Appreciating the Changing Tomioka Silk Mill: A Model for Tokaido Highway Seasons with Beer Modernization PRODUCTION The Japan Journal ON THE COVER MANAGING EDITOR Sawaji Osamu Ohara Museum of Art (Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture) EDITORS Alex Hendy, Chiba Hitoshi, Fujita Mao Photo: Courtesy of Ohara Museum of Art EDITORIAL SUPPORT Kiura Eriko CONTRIBUTORS Kato Kyoko, Sasaki Takashi, Sato Kumiko, EDITORS’ NOTE Sugiyama Mamoru, Umezawa Akira, Uno Masaki, Japanese names in this publication are written in Japanese order: Yanagisawa Miho family name first, personal name last. DESIGN Imai Mei, Okadome Hirofumi DECEMBER 2020 | 3 Prime Minister’s Diary JAPAN-AUSTRALIA SUMMIT MEETING Japan-Australia Summit Meeting n Tuesday, November 17, Indo-Pacific.” through close coordination between Prime Minister SUGA Yoshi- The leaders announced agreement Japan and Australia, decided to play a Ohide and the Hon. Scott Mor- in principle on the Japan-Australia leading role in realizing its early entry rison MP, Prime Minister of the Com- Reciprocal Access Agreement (Japan- into force. The leaders also confirmed monwealth of Australia, held summit Australia RAA), which is being nego- that they will continue to cooperate meetings in Japan. The leaders first tiated to take security and defence toward the steady implementation had a one-on-one meeting, followed cooperation between Japan and Aus- and expansion of the Trans-Pacific by a main meeting. After that, the tralia to a new level. The leaders con- Partnership (TPP). leaders signed the Joint Statement curred to accelerate the remaining The two leaders concurred to pro- of their intent to further strengthen tasks necessary for an early signing of mote cooperation in the economic their cooperative relationship in the Japan-Australia RAA. field, including on hydrogen-related fields including security and defence In addition, the leaders instructed efforts. cooperation and the economy. Later, their respective Ministers for Foreign At the working dinner after the for- Prime Minister Suga hosted a working Affairs and Defence, with a view to mal meeting, the leaders exchanged dinner. The summary of the meetings elevating security and defence coop- views on the regional situation. is as follows. eration between Japan and Australia, The leaders welcomed the United to further strengthen bilateral cooper- States’ continued commitment to the At first, the leaders met one-on- ation in this area, through the Foreign Indo-Pacific region and stressed the one, with interpreters, where, in a and Defence Ministerial Consulta- importance of close cooperation with friendly atmosphere, they discussed tions (“2+2”) and other mechanisms. the United States to contribute to the their background, personal views and The leaders also concurred to peace and stability of the region. their approach to politics. strengthen cooperation on economic On North Korea, the leaders con- At the main meeting, the lead- security in areas such as telecommu- curred to work together on the full ers discussed strengthening bilateral nications and critical minerals. implementation of UN Security Coun- relations and cooperation on interna- The leaders concurred to continue cil resolutions, including measures tional issues. to work together on reforms at the against ship-to-ship transfers. Prime The leaders affirmed that Japan World Trade Organization, includ- Minister Morrison gave his continued and Australia, as “Special Strategic ing reforms to the Appellate Body, full support for Japan’s efforts on the Partners” which share the basic val- electronic-commerce rule-making, abductions issue. ues such as freedom, democracy, and the issues of “developing coun- In addition, the leaders exchanged human rights and the rule of law and tries.” They also welcomed the sign- views on the South China Sea, East strategic interests, will together work ing of the Regional Comprehensive China Sea, Southeast Asia and other toward realizing a “Free and Open Economic Partnership (RCEP) and, topics. Photographs and text courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Cabinet Public Relations Office of the Government of Japan 4 | highlighting japan Feature REVITALIZING THE REGIONS: MUSEUMS AS HUBS REVITALIZING THE REGIONS: MUSEUMS AS HUBS Japan is home to a large number of museums, and these are located in regions throughout the country. Beginning this year (2020), the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan has designated qualifying museums as regional hubs for the promotion of cultural tourism. In this month’s issue, we introduce several such museums as well as the regions and cultures which they promote. Photos: Courtesy of Yokote City; Courtesy of Nara National Museum; Courtesy of The Tokugawa Art Museum; Courtesy of The Foundation for Ainu Culture; Courtesy of Nakamura Keith Haring Collection / Keith Haring Artwork ©Keith Haring Foundation DECEMber 2020 | 5 Feature REVITALIZING THE REGIONS: MUSEUMS AS HUBS Cultural Assets Showcased as “Stories” Aoyagi Masanori Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art, and Director General of the Archaeological Institute of Kashi- hara, Nara Prefecture. In a variety of regions in Japan, cultural tourism is currently being promoted centered on cultural facilities that include art and history museums, shrines, temples, and more. What is the back- ground to these initiatives? There are many unique forms of regional cul- ture throughout the country of Japan. They are quite diverse, from traditional crafts, architec- ture and other tangible cultural properties to folk performing arts, festivals, and other intangible cultural properties. Even when we look globally, there aren’t many countries that have this level of rich regional cultures. The purpose of the pro- motion of cultural tourism today is to showcase these cultural assets as tourism resources both within Japan and abroad, leading to regional revitalization. To promote cultural tourism, stories are impor- tant. Rather than simply showcasing valuable cul- any regions in Japan today are promot- tural assets, the history and charm of the region ing cultural tourism with art and his- where these assets exist must also be clearly Mtory museums as their bases. We spoke showcased as stories. The cultural assets them- about Japan’s cultural tourism with Aoyagi Masa- selves then radiate a lively charm, leading many nori, who worked as the Commissioner for Cul- people to gain an interest in cultural assets. You tural Affairs at the Agency for Cultural Affairs of could say that what