Co-creating Cultures for the Future Week
Songs and Dances Connecting the World Expo Connects Cultures of the World ~Introduction to the Cabinet Secretariat Expo International Exchange Program~ First Half
EXPO 2025 Thematic Project “Invigorating Lives” (Producer NAKAJIMA Sachiko)
This session introduces various ongoing initiatives of the Cabinet Secretariat’s Expo International Exchange Program across Japan. It explores the dynamic encounters and creative possibilities between Japan and the world through the Expo.Bringing together governors, ambassadors, consuls, cultural anthropologists, artists, educators, and children, the event fosters comminicate through diverse local cultures, as well as songs and dances that connect the world, featuring a performance by KURAGE Band—all in an effort to enhance the excitement leading up to the Expo.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- Others
- Connecting Cultures of the World Through Expo
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
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Track Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.04.26[Sat]
16:30 ～ 17:45
(Venue Open 16:15)
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- Venue
- Pavilion
- 「WA」space Women's Pavilion
Programme details
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*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.
This session introduces various ongoing initiatives of the Cabinet Secretariat’s Expo International Exchange Program across Japan. It explores the dynamic encounters and creative possibilities between Japan and the world through the Expo.Bringing together governors, ambassadors, consuls, cultural anthropologists, artists, educators, and children, the event fosters交流 through diverse local cultures, as well as songs and dances that connect the world, featuring a performance by KURAGE Band—all in an effort to enhance the excitement leading up to the Expo.
Producer Nakajima, who is also a musician, will take this opportunity of the Expo, where wisdom from all over the world will gather, to ask the question of the meaning of connecting people and the world through music. It will also serve as an example of the Cabinet Secretariat's Expo International Exchange Program. She will be joined by members of his multinational band "KURAGE Band," as well as guests such as the Yamamoto Noh Theatre, with whom she has worked together to promote culture and the arts, to deliver talks and performances.
Reports
【Reflection】
This dialogue program, “Expo Connects,” provided a valuable opportunity to explore from multiple perspectives the possibilities for connecting the world with Japan and the region with the world, based on examples from the “Expo International Exchange Program” promoted by the Cabinet Secretariat. A diverse group of speakers came together to discuss from their own perspectives the possibilities for international exchange and the transmission of local culture through the Expo.
Cultural anthropologist Mariko Hasegawa emphasized the importance of “enjoying differences,” and stated that the dialogue and understanding that can only be created by confronting differences in culture and values is the foundation for building a future symbiotic society. Norihiro Okuda, a former diplomat, also spoke about the diplomatic aspect of the Expo and the significance of dialogue that connects the hearts of individuals, reiterating that international exchange is not a one-way street but a process of mutual respect and learning from each other.
Furthermore, artist and producer Sachiko Nakajima embodied the idea that “music and art are languages that transcend national borders,” and through the performance of the multinational band “KURAGE Band,” created a place where people from around the world could connect emotionally. This experience mediated by music strongly impressed upon the audience the possibility of exchange that transcends logic.
Also noteworthy was the participation of children. Their comments and performances from a pure perspective showed the imagination and flexibility of the generation that bears the future, and provided many insights for the adults as well. The collaboration with local performing arts and culture, as well as with education, was evident throughout the event, and the content made us realize that the Expo is not just an event, but functions as a place for learning and co-creation.
This was a time for people from diverse backgrounds, generations, and nationalities to experience “connection,” reaffirming the significance of the Expo and showing that the seeds of co-creation for the future are steadily being nurtured.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
The insights and encounters gained through this dialogue program must be linked to concrete actions for the future. First of all, it is important not to view the Expo as a one-time event, but to emphasize the process leading up to the event and the creation of lasting connections afterward.
The program reaffirmed that local traditional arts and culture can serve as a medium to connect with the world. Therefore, efforts to further support and disseminate cultural activities rooted in local communities are needed. For example, it is expected to realize a bridge to the next generation through workshops linked to school education and the regional development of international exchange programs.
In addition, the “KURAGE Band” and the performance in collaboration with Yamamoto Noh Theater introduced in the program reminded us of the inclusive power of art and its ability to transmit information. It is important to expand these efforts to other regions and intentionally increase opportunities for the local and global to resonate with each other.
Of particular note is the creative engagement of children. The children who communicated their own thoughts through music, dance, and expression fully demonstrated their potential as future leaders of a multicultural society. In order to continuously nurture this, it is essential to create a cross-sector network involving not only schools and families, but also local communities, government, and the private sector.
Furthermore, we should also consider using the international stage of the Expo to expand dialogue and exchange programs. By developing a platform for collaboration among children, youth, artists, and researchers from Japan and abroad, we can provide a place where people can realize that the “world” exists as an extension of their daily lives.
Cast
Moderator
NAKAJIMA Sachiko
Thematic Project ”Invigorating Lives" (Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition)
Musician, a mathematics researcher, and a STEAM Educator. She is also CEO of steAm, Inc.,the representative director of steAm BAND Association and a thematic project producer of Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan. She also serves as a STEM Girls Ambassador, Cabinet Office, and project researcher of Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences The University of Tokyo. She won the gold medal as the first Japanese woman in the International Mathematical Olympiad. She passionately conducts research on art and technology as well as music, mathematics, and education.
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INOUE Manabu
Director General, Secretariat of the Headquarters for the World Expo 2025, Cabinet Secretariat
Joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (former the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) in 1991. Held various positions including Director of the Economic Department at the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong, Director Policy Planning and Coordination Division Nippon Export and Investment Insurance, Director for FTA/EPA Negotiations in the Trade Policy Bureau, Director International Exhibitions Promotion in the Commerce and Service Industry Policy Group, Director at the Japan Tourism Agency, and Deputy Director-General for International Exhibitions in the Commerce and Service Industry Policy Group. Since April 2022, serving as Director-General of the Secretariat of the Headquarters for the World Expo 2025, Cabinet Secretariat.
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Speakers
Yoshie YAMAMOTO
Executive Director, Yamamoto Noh Theater
Yamamoto Nohgakudo, Osaka's oldest and most innovative Noh theater, has been offering evening Noh performances for beginners for over 10 years, as well as “Kamigata Geino Night for Beginners,” a digest of several traditional Kamigata performing arts. In 2012, the company gave its first overseas performance in Bulgaria, and in 2016, it was invited to perform at the Sibiu Theater Festival, where it was a great success. In 2016, the company was invited by the Sibiu Theatre Festival to perform in Bulgaria, which was a great success. In 2015, they received the Japan Foundation's Global Citizenship Award in recognition of their overseas exchanges.
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CHOI JAE CHOL
Korean drum (chango) player/singer/dancer, director of international cultural exchange at steAm
In 2009, he started “Chango Walk,” a journey to experience Japanese and Korean cultures. In search of the “rhythm of walking and walking life,” he has walked the 53 Stages of the Tokaido Highway, from Tokyo to Seongju in Korea, a pilgrimage to Mt. He has been active in Japan-Korea performing arts exchange activities since 2015. He has focused on cultural exchange between Tohoku folk performing arts and Korean farm music, participating in Enburi, a local performing art in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture (belonging to Hachitaro Enburi Gumi), and is currently working with the KURAGE Band, a collaborative effort to connect cultures around the world, with the Osaka Kansai World Expo Jellyfish Pavilion (producer Sachiko Nakajima). He is also developing KURAGE corporate training programs using “walking.
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Tenzin Kunsang
Tibetan musician/singer/dancer, Tibetan Insutitute of Performing Arts artist
The second generation of Tibetan refugees. He trained at TIPA, a Tibetan institute of performing arts school in Daramsala, India, and came to Japan in 2010. One of the few artists who deliver a variety of traditional Tibetan performing arts such as singing,Opera ,musical instruments, and dancing. In addition to solo activities, he is active in several bands, including the Watara Band ,Kikisoso Band. In 2022, the NHK morning drama "Maya Gare !" Performances are provided as BGM. He also appeared at the "Woodford Folk Festival" held in Australia in 2023 and 2024. In Ina,Nagano Prefecture, he organizes the Tibetan Onsen Festival himself.
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Atsunobu SAEKI
Wadaiko drummer, representative of the Saeki Hayashi Preservation Society
In 2002, he joined a local taiko team. Studied under professional taiko drummer Takumi Kanagawa Ma during college.
He has taught at elementary schools, coached local taiko teams, and performed at events with professional performers.
In 2021, he decided to start a local performing art that would last for 100 years. He founded “Saeki Hayashi” in 2021 with Jaechul Choi, a chango player and local performing artist, with the idea of “creating a local performing art that will last for 100 years.
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Co-creating Cultures for the Future Week
Songs and Dances Connecting the World Expo Connects Cultures of the World ~Introduction to the Cabinet Secretariat Expo International Exchange Program~ First Half
This session introduces various ongoing initiatives of the Cabinet Secretariat’s Expo International Exchange Program across Japan. It explores the dynamic encounters and creative possibilities between Japan and the world through the Expo.Bringing together governors, ambassadors, consuls, cultural anthropologists, artists, educators, and children, the event fosters comminicate through diverse local cultures, as well as songs and dances that connect the world, featuring a performance by KURAGE Band—all in an effort to enhance the excitement leading up to the Expo.
-
2025.04.26[Sat]
16:30～17:45
(Venue Open 16:15)
- Pavilion
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
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Co-creating Cultures for the Future Week
