One Tokyo, many voices: empowering equality and diversity in culture

The Purpose

The project is managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, a body that runs 12 large cultural institutions, promotes music and performing arts, and engages in training and education. It sees widening opportunities to experience culture as central to its remit. The programme focuses on increased access for four groups – families with young children, disabled people, non-native Japanese speakers, often with roots outside of Japan, and older people. The latter is of particularly important consideration in Tokyo because of the declining birth rate and ageing population.

The Challenge

Tokyo has a rich cultural offer, but it has not always been easy to access for some marginalised inhabitants of the city. Since 2021, the Creative Well-being Tokyo project has worked towards embedding better inclusion strategies at its cultural institutions.

Brand new technological approaches were explored, for instance, an ‘avatar robot’ that gave people with disabilities the opportunity to be physically present at events.

The Solution

Practical innovations include sign language interpretation for art and exhibitions, theatre and music with subtitles, and improved access for those with wheelchairs and other mobility aids. These innovations send a signal to wider society about best practices, setting new standards across the cultural ecosystem.

In July 2022, the programme was complemented by a major conference. Policymakers, researchers, practitioners and creatives from a wide range of disciplines discussed issues that are common across the world. It included showcases and exhibitions, featuring inclusive cultural groups such as the Tokyo Field of Expression Club, and brand new technological approaches, for instance, an ‘avatar robot’ that gave people with disabilities the opportunity to be physically present at events.

The Impact

This conference is the first event of this type and scale in Asia. It included an intensive workshop camp with networking, enabling new thinking across the region. Tokyo is creating a ‘culture for all’ standard for its citizens, and acting as a catalyst in other world cities.

Source: World Cities Culture Report 2022

Images Courtesy © City of Tokyo