Prof. Koichi Iwabuchi1, Prof. Mariko Murata2, Associate Prof. Masako Miyata3, Ms. Tomo Imai4
1Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan, 2Kansai University, Japan, 3Aichi Shukutoku University, Japan, 4Arts Maebashi, Japan
Chair: Prof. Koichi Iwabuchi (Monash University)
Overview:
Fostering diversity has become a key global issue. While the effective application of diversity is considered vital in promoting business innovation in an era of hyper-mobility, it is even more crucial to the reformation of the nation in an egalitarian and caring way. It is here that artistic expressions and museum practices play a significant role. This is especially true in the case of Japan, where substantial cultural policy to promote multiculturalism has not yet been developed. The country has long been identified as homogenous. Thus, grass-roots activities are indispensable to challenge the people’s perception, as well as productively engage with multicultural situations. This panel will discuss several ways in which artistic expressions and museum practices encourage diversity and inclusion in Japanese society. Through concrete examples and analysis, it will also reconsider the public role of art and museums in a disruptive era.