Support development of art and culture
November 3, 2012
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2012 October 31 - November 6 [ARTS AND SPORTS]
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In September, the Upper and Lower Houses unanimously adopted a petition to improve the nation’s art and cultural-related programs. The three-year long signature campaign, carried out by the Japan Council of Performers’ Organizations (Geidankyo) and other groups, has finally borne fruit.
Their effort was made in response to the decision of the Democratic Party-led government to reduce or abolish public art and cultural programs and to halve subsidies for art organizations within three years.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs’ budget request for the next fiscal year is 107 billion yen in total, a 3.7% increase from the previous year. However, it continues to reduce financial support to performing art organizations.
While a number of diversions of public funds allocated for the post-3.11 disaster recovery has come to light, many museums and other cultural facilities are left without any specific plan to be restored and reopened in coastal areas of Northeast Japan devastated by the massive tsunami last year.
The increase in the consumption tax, which was forcibly approved by the DPJ and the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties, will bring additional financial burdens on art and cultural groups. This leads to depriving citizens of opportunities to enjoy art and culture exhibits and performances.
The emerging attempt to attack art and culture should not be underestimated. It is a brutal move made by Osaka Mayor Hashimoto Toru to abolish the Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band and drastically cut subsidies for the Bunraku Kyokai (association of traditional puppet theater).
In order to create a culture-rich nation, the Japanese Communist Party has worked with a wide range of cultural organizations and has made efforts for the adoption of the petition calling for an increase in the cultural-related budgets. It continues to join forces with many citizens for a change in policies to support the development of art and culture.
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