As part of the “Cool Japan Promotion Strategy Program” based on the new growth strategy put forward by the Japanese government, METI has been promoting the “CREATIVE TOKYO” project. Tokyo undoubtedly embodies the Japanese creative scene. In this grand comprehensive scheme, we will collaborate with relevant Tokyo wards in order to revive the metropolis as a brand and to invigorate the related shopping districts and domestic consumption. We will also aim to attract an international selection of tourists, and to inform the global community about our efforts to foster the reconstruction of the areas hit by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. (See the attachment for more information on the declaration text and project supporters.(PDF:372KB)) (in Japanese)

On November 4 last year, a CREATIVE TOKYO forum was held by METI in order to advance this grand project. Along with the concerned government offices and all the participating shopping districts, department stores and developers, Yukio Edano, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, launched a CREATIVE TOKYO declaration with the aim of making Tokyo a prominent creative hub in Asia. (Please refer to an accompanying sheet for details of the declaration and supporting bodies.)

In order to foster the objectives of the CREATIVE TOKYO project, we are pleased to announce the launch of TOKYO SPRING, a platform program which will publicize the creative events taking place in Tokyo to the rest of the world. We will strive towards establishing Tokyo as a leading hub of extensive networks for the worldwide creative industries.

Our website will provide detailed information about the upcoming creative events. These will be centered on the fields of fashion, food and art, in which a wide range of influential figures participate. These plans are chiefly based on the new cooperative schemes designed by the organizations which actively support the CREATIVE TOKYO program. Moreover, in cooperation with specific city districts, we will aim to stimulate domestic consumption, to attract international tourists, and to inform the global community of our attempts to promote the revival of the regions affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

The CREATIVE TOKYO project is a concept which aims to firmly establish Tokyo as a prominent creative hub in Asia. This project is an attempt to bring in talented human resources, relevant information and funds from Asia, to create new industries, and to further the potential of the Japanese economy. Japanese industries, academia, the government, a diverse range of influential figures, and districts in Tokyo will all unite with these aims in mind. The grand project will also foster the creative industries, stage a wide range of relevant events and publicize all related activities. Moreover, the program will promote human and intellectual exchange among those working in the industries and move towards developing environments in which new creativity can truly flourish.

(1) Purposes

As a concrete plan which stems out of the CREATIVE TOKYO project, TOKYO SPRING is a platform seeking to provide detailed information about the creative events taking place in Tokyo throughout the season.

A diverse range of influential figures will take part in the program, and certain city districts will unite in order to activate related wards in Tokyo, to increase domestic consumption, and to convey to the international community just how fascinating Tokyo is as a crucial hub of networks for creative industries worldwide.

Through these efforts, we will aim to assist with the reformation of Japan and the reconstruction of the Tohoku region. We will also strive to support talented creators and corporations who play an important role in Japan’s exceptional craftsmanship and creative industries. We wish to help them advance onto the international scene.

(2) TOKYO SPRING’s new cooperative projects
(Please refer to an accompanying sheet for more details.)

1. TOKYO PREMIUM Project (See the Japanese Appendix for more information.(PDF:273KB))

   Content:

   Three major event businesses (Japan Restaurant Week,ArtFair Tokyo and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week TOKYO) will cooperate in carrying out special events which span across fashion, food and art. These events include the collaboration between the participating art collectors and chefs.

   Event period:

   27 January - 19 February 2012 during Japan Restaurant Week
   18 March - 24 March 2012 during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week TOKYO
   29 March - 1 April 2012 during Art Fair Tokyo

   Venues:

   Various places in Tokyo

   Hosts:

   TOKYO PREMIUM project steering committee, Japan Restaurant Week,
   Japan Fashion Week Organization, Art Fair Tokyo.

2. Roppongi Art Night 2012 (See the Japanese Appendix for more information.(PDF:1,468KB))

   Content:

   Under the theme of ‘Invigorate Japan through art’, an all-night art festival will take place at various commercial and cultural facilities, such as the Mori Art Museum and Tokyo Midtown. A famed Japanese avant-garde artist, Yayoi Kusama, will be exhibiting her new artwork at this event.

   Event period:

   from 10 AM on March 24 - to 18 PM on March 25, 2012

   Venues:

   Roppongi Hills, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo Midtown, Suntory Museum of Art, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, The National Art Center Tokyo, related shopping districts in Roppongi, and other participating facilities and public spaces.

   Hosts:

   Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Culture Creation Project, Roppongi Art Night involving The National Art Center Tokyo, Suntory Museum of Art, Tokyo Midtown, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, Mori Art Museum, MORI Building, and Roppongi Shopping District Promotion Union.

3. GINZA FASHION WEEK (See the Japanese Appendix for more information.(PDF:262KB))

   Content:

   A collaborative project by Matsuya Ginza and Ginza Mitsukoshi. Under the theme of ‘Japan-Denim’, the two renowned department stores will introduce co-developed products and compete with each other. They will sell exclusive items only available during this event.

   Event period:

   21 March (Wed) - 27 March 2012 (Tue)

   Venues:

   Matsuya Ginza and Ginza Mitsukoshi

   Hosts:

   Matsuya and Isetan Mitsukoshi HD

(3) The events related to TOKYO SPRING

In partnership with certain city districts, we will extensively publicize the program’s information regarding the creative events in fashion, food and art, in which a diverse range of influential figures participate. We will primarily speak about the events organized by the supporting bodies of the CREATIVE TOKYO project.

• Please refer to an accompanying sheet or go to http://tokyospring.jp/en/ for further details.

• Please click here for PDF version (PDF:239KB)

February 8, 2012

Please contact Mika Takagi, Akihiro Kojima or Shogo Miyamoto.

Tel:

+81. (0)3.3501.1511 (extension no. 3651~4)
+81. (0)3.3501.1750 (direct)

Director:

Tetsuya Watanabe

Creative Industries Division, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau