Asia Society Japan offers various programs covering the fields of policy, economy, diplomacy, arts, culture and business, led by the three committees for Art, Policy, and Asia 21. We also offer global programs in collaboration with our 15 global centers as well as special local programs unique to Tokyo and Japan.

Art — Exploring Art in the Context of Future Society

The Arts and Culture Committee, co-chaired by Tsutomu Horiuchi and Jenifer Rogers, organizes intimate programs, symposiums and trips inviting leaders of the arts and culture world in and outside Asia. Stepping out of the conventional framework of “arts” we will explore the role of “art” in future society, engaging in open discussion with an insightful audience representing a broad range of industries and sectors, on fostering and supporting artists, art collection, design, traditional crafts and arts in the context of technology and business. In the future, we seek to also cover performing arts and film.

Policy — Discussing Japan’s Role as “Asia’s Leader”

The Policy Committee, chaired by Jesper Koll, invites experts from political, economic and business spheres to the Asia Society Policy Salon Tokyo (ASPST) to discuss pressing issues challenging the Asia-Pacific region today. We will analyze the role that Japan should assume as a member and leader of Asia and discuss novel ideas and solutions. Our mission is also to connect leaders and experts of Japan, Asia and the United States and promote cultural diplomacy.

Asia 21 — Forging Networks of Young Leaders across Regions and Fields

Since 2006, Asia Society has launched the Asia 21 Young Leaders Initiative to promote mutual understanding and effective collaboration among leaders of the next-generation (under the age of 40) across the Asia-Pacific. We have built a movement of more than 1000 alumni from 40 countries and regions. Under the initiative of the Asia 21 Committee (co-chaired by Rikako Beppu and Daisuke Kan), Japan Center co-hosts with I-House, workshops and annual symposiums focused on selected themes, inviting young leaders of Asia in the future.

For more information about the programs Asia Society Japan offers, see the upcoming events, watch videos and read recaps for the past events.

Global Programs

We celebrate creativity, competence, courage, and excellence in developing innovative responses to real-world challenges that deliver measurable impact. Since Japan Center opened in 2018, we have offered international programs that combined global reach with local networks. It started with a trip to the Hong Kong Center’s annual gala in December 2018, followed by a joint art trip to Kyoto. These global initiatives bring out the best in our 15 centers collaborating both online and in person in the arts, policy and global virtual galas.

For example, Asia Game Changer Awards and Asia Arts Game Changer Awards honor true leaders who are making a positive contribution to the future of Asia while Asia Society Triennial celebrates art, ideas, and innovation that focuses on contemporary art from and about Asia and the diaspora.

See upcoming events for all Asia Society centers in the world.

Special Local Programs

In addition to the programs in art, policy, and Asia 21 initiatives, we offer special local programs that are unique only to Tokyo and Japan and that are strong with impact — helping local initiatives reach the global stage, and vice versa.