“What can society improve through art?” Thinking about the current state of art and economic society with MC Mirai Moriyama

“MEET YOUR ART” is an art specialty program where Mirai Moriyama serves as MC.

This time, we will discuss the current state of art and economic society, with guests from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Agency for Cultural Affairs, based on the “Report on Thinking about Art and Economic Society” released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry last year.

Together with MC Mirai Moriyama, we will take a deep dive into why the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry pays attention to art and what effects art has on society.

■Yusuke Asami

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Cultural and Creative Industries Division, Assistant Director

Joined the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2014. He assumed his current position in June 2023 after being widely involved in the planning and drafting of domestic and international policies related to energy. After the publication of the “Report of the Study Group on Art and Economy and Society,” we expanded the interface between art and economy and society, and through this we considered specific measures to promote the art industry, as well as the content industry. Responsible for planning and formulating cross-sectional policies for the development of the cultural and creative industries as a whole.

■Yoshiaki Shirata

Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts and Culture Investigator

At Tokyo University of the Arts, he was involved in collaborative projects with local governments and various educational institutions, working not only on student guidance but also on a wide range of fields such as early childhood education, local culture promotion, and exhibition planning. In addition, he also works as a representative of a corporation involved in cultural promotion. Joined the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2023. Currently, as an art and culture investigator, he is involved in various cases related to art in general.