Arts & Culture
Promoting cultural exchange through exhibitions, performances, film, and artist collaborations
Welcome to Arts & Culture
From staging plays and exhibitions, to screening Japanese films and arranging cultural talks on various subjects including literature. Both independently and in collaboration with other UK organisations, we organise fascinating programmes in the UK to foster understanding of Japan in the fields of arts and culture. We also support the UK’s Japan-related art and cultural programmes through our funding schemes.
For any enquiries relating to Arts and Culture, please contact:
Junko Takekawa, Senior Arts Programme Officer, London junko_takekawa@jpf.go.jp
For general enquiries please contact LO_info@jpf.go.jp
Japan Foundation Film Programme
Explore our dedicated film programme showcasing Japanese cinema across the UK.
Visit Site (opens in a new tab)
Events and Programmes
Explore our diverse range of cultural and educational activities
News & Reports
Stay updated with our announcements
A Huge Thank You for Joining Us: The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2026 Comes to a Close
On 31 March, the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2026 came to a close on a high note. To everyone who attended, helped spread the word, hosted us so generously, or simply stopped by to say hello – thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Across 251 screenings nationwide,…
Junko TAKEKAWA's Recommended Japanese Books – The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2024
On Saturday 5 October, as part of the free programme at this year’s The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, our Senior Arts Programme Officer Junko TAKEKAWA shared five recommendations for Japanese books you should be reading. If you couldn’t make it to Cheltenham, or just want a refresher,…
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Junko Takekawa’s Recommended Japanese Books – The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2023
During The Huddle Free Programme at The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival on 8 October, our Senior Arts Programme Officer shared her six Japanese book recommendations. Keep diving into Japanese literature and share your thoughts on social media, tagging us @jpflondon for X (Twitter) and Instagram and @JapanFoundationLondon…
The Japan Foundation Touring Film Progamme 2023 (JFTFP23) came to an end on 31 March.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this year the theme title was Always Evolving. The programme included 21 Japanese films. From recently released works such as My Broken Mariko to the rare 1935 masterpiece The Million Ryo Pot, we hoped to provide UK audiences with food for thought in considering where Japanese film has come from and where it’s heading next. 24 UK leading cinemas and…
Funding Opportunities
Visual Arts
Are you a UK museum or gallery looking for financial support for your Japan-related exhibition? We provide funding for Japan related visual arts projects in the UK. There is also a limited travel funding available for researchers.
Local Project Support Programme (opens in a new tab)Performing Arts
For UK organisers seeking funding for Japan-related performing arts projects, please check what is available in our funding programmes. We support dance, theatre, music, and interdisciplinary performances as well as lectures/demonstrations.
Local Project Support Programme (opens in a new tab)Film
If you are an UK organisation who has a Japan-focused film screening projects, we may be able to partner with you. We may also be able to lend you our prints with English subtitles from Tokyo. Please note that we do not participate in the film production process or commercial release of any Japanese film.
Learn more about Film funding (opens in a new tab)Publication
Are you a UK publisher seeking financial support to publish translations from Japanese? We may support the translation, publication, or both.
Support Program for Translation and Publication (opens in a new tab)Other Funding Activities
Are you a specialist (researcher, postgraduate student, librarian, museum and art gallery curator, etc.) who needs to improve your Japanese for academic or professional purposes?
Program for Specialists in Cultural and Academic Fields (opens in a new tab)View All Arts and Culture Funding
Arts & Culture Funding Opportunities (opens in a new tab)Contact
For any enquiries relating to this department, please contact:
Arts and Culture Department
LO_event@jpf.go.jp
General Enquiries
LO_info@jpf.go.jp
Phone: +44 (0)20 7492 6570
Frequently Asked Questions
I would like to take British theatre companies or exhibitions to Japan. Would the Japan Foundation help financially?
Although we are happy to give advice, the Japan Foundation’s primary concern is to assist Japan-related events taking place outside Japan. Should you wish to take your company to Japan, please contact the relevant organisations, such as the British Council for help.