The fifth edition of Art Week Tokyo (AWT) took place from November 5-9, bringing together over 50 commercial galleries and museums across the city in a hybrid "post-art fair" model. The event unfolded against the backdrop of Sanae Takaichi becoming Japan's first female prime minister, a political shift that has sparked mixed reactions in the Japanese art world, with calls for improved tax incentives, international promotion, and stronger public collections. AWT, directed by Atsuko Ninagawa and organized in collaboration with Art Basel, featured museum shows including "What is Real?" at the Okura Museum of Art, curated by Adam Szymczyk, and "Prism of the Real: Making Art in Japan 1989-2010" at the National Art Center, Tokyo.
This article matters because it highlights Japan's art scene as a "sleeping beauty" that may be awakening after decades of stagnation following the 1990 art market collapse. AWT's model, which blends commercial and non-profit elements with support from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, aims to revitalize the local market and attract international collectors, particularly from Greater China. The event's partnership with Art Basel and its focus on connecting institutions, galleries, and diverse audiences signal a strategic effort to position Tokyo as a significant art hub in Asia, potentially reshaping regional art market dynamics.