公募｜令和8年度新進芸術家海外研修制度における「日本文化発信・普及事業」
Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunka-cho) is now accepting applications for the "Japanese Culture Promotion and Dissemination Project" under the 2026 (Reiwa 8) Overseas Training Program for Emerging Artists. This separate track supports established cultural figures, artists, and researchers—not just emerging artists—to conduct activities that promote and disseminate Japanese culture abroad. The program covers travel, accommodation, and activity costs up to 1.5 million yen, with派遣 periods ranging from 20 to 80 days between October 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027. Applications must be received by June 5, 2025, and results will be announced by early September.
This initiative matters because it provides substantial funding for experienced Japanese cultural practitioners to engage in international exchange, fostering global understanding of Japanese culture across fields including fine arts, music, theater, media arts, traditional performing arts, and food culture. By requiring participants to feed back insights gained abroad into Japan's domestic cultural scene, the program aims to strengthen both Japan's cultural diplomacy and its own artistic ecosystem. It also clarifies eligibility restrictions to avoid overlap with other agency training programs.