Governor Koike Attends the 39th Meeting of the Tokyo Council for the Arts

Governor Koike called for frank discussions on how to enhance Tokyo’s presence as a city of arts and culture when she attended the 39th meeting of the Tokyo Council for the Arts on April 23.

“As I look back, I believe it was tough to engage in artistic activities during the 1,200 days of COVID-19,” she said in her opening remarks at the meeting of the metropolitan advisory panel.

“Taking into consideration the tremendous change before and after the COVID pandemic, I have arbitrarily rearranged the term “Before Christ” to “Before COVID” and assumed we have entered the “Age of Digital, or AD,” she said. “Even so, the role played by the arts has remained unchanged from ‘Before COVID’ to the ‘Age of Digital.’”

Governor Koike pointed out that people have renewed their interest in the culture of the feudal Edo period (1603–1868). “There are a lot of very profound elements,” she said citing notable examples of Edo’s culture and system such as the art of ukiyo-e woodblock printing, the structure of a circular society and an economy reliant on shipping. 

“We intend to further enhance Tokyo’s presence while sending out messages on the Edo culture, which remains alive and well today, and advancing diverse policy measures,” the governor said. “

“Today, I would appreciate your discussions on which path Tokyo should follow as a city of arts and culture,” she added. “Your frank opinions are most welcome.”