culture

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Poor budgetary conditions for Japanese culture

In the FY 2006 budget, the government proposes across-the-board cutbacks in funding for most cultural and artistic activities as well as for the preservation of cultural heritage, including the promotion of Japanese film and the research for buried cultural properties.

The total amount of the Cultural Affairs Agency expenditure will be 100.65 billion yen, down 957 million yen from the previous year.

Notably, expenditures for national museums and galleries will decrease by 147.1 million yen. Like cutbacks in welfare and health-related budgets, Koizumi Jun'ichiro's "structural reform" policy will abandon the government's responsibility for the country's cultural heritage.

Since these government-run facilities were transformed into independent administrative agencies in 2001, they have constantly been forced to cut as much in costs as possible because of cuts in government subsidies. Prominent artists and cultural figures point out that such market-driven programs will lead to a decline in the nation's arts and culture.

According to the Japan Council of Performers' Organizations (80,000 membership), 14.7 percent of Japan's performing artists live on incomes of less than one million yen a year, and the number has more than doubled in the last five years. In particular, young artists find it harder than ever to continue their careers.

Prime Minister Koizumi used to call for "cultural budgets to be on a par with culturally developed countries." Far from trying to catch up with European nations, Japan's cultural budget continues shrinking.
- Akahata, February 23, 2006