Culture - Japan-en
Japan and the Netherlands share a longstanding cultural relationship spanning over four hundred years. By connecting Dutch and Japanese artists, creators, researchers, and cultural professionals, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Japan seeks to further strengthen this historic bond and promote mutual understanding between our countries.
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Promoting Exchange in Arts, Culture and Creative industries
The Embassy works to connect cultural communities in Japan and the Netherlands, fostering sustainable and reciprocal relationships. Across fields including design, film, performing arts, music, and other creative disciplines, we support opportunities for collaboration, presentation, and exchange.
Through partnerships with cultural institutions, festivals, local communities, and creative platforms, we help create opportunities for Dutch creators in Japan while encouraging Japanese creative professionals to connect with the Netherlands and expand their international networks.
A particular focus of our work is supporting long-term exchange through artist residencies and collaborative projects. By enabling creators to spend time, develop relationships, and engage with local communities, these initiatives contribute to deeper and more sustainable cultural exchange.
Examples of initiatives and partnerships:
- Creative Residency Arita: www.cri-arita.com
- EU Film Days: http://www.eufilmdays.jp/
- Kyotographie: https://www.kyotographie.jp/en/
- Intergenerational integrated dance piece UNUM: UNUM&Iungo
Support for Cultural Exchange
The Embassy provides financial and nominal support for cultural exchange initiatives between the Netherlands and Japan. Information about available support, eligibility criteria, and application procedures can be found via the link below.
More information on financial and nominal support
International Heritage Cooperation
The Netherlands and Japan share more than four centuries of history. Building on this shared heritage, the Embassy supports initiatives that promote preservation, research, knowledge exchange, and greater public understanding. Recent projects include the Dutch Trading Post Heritage Network, preservation initiatives at the Dutch cemetery in Nagasaki, workshops on the revitalisation of the historic inner city of Hirado, and exhibitions highlighting lesser-known stories from our shared past.
Dutch Trading Post Heritage Network
The Dutch Trading Post Heritage Network brings together public and private institutions across Asia to research and preserve the heritage of former Dutch trading posts. Japan's two historic trading posts - first in Hirado (1609) and later on Dejima in Nagasaki (1641) - form an important part of this shared history.
Learn more about the Dutch Trading Post Heritage Network
Article: Dutch Trading Post Heritage Network - Linking Former Asian Bases of the VOC
Policy and Background
The Embassy’s cultural exchange activities are rooted in the government's International Cultural Policy.
This policy is a joint responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.
Japan is one of the countries identified as a strategic focus within the International Cultural Policy framework 2025–2028.
More information about the Netherlands’ International Cultural Policy can be found here.
Focus of the Embassy’s Multi-Annual Cultural Plan 2025 - 2028
Promote (market) opportunities for makers based in the Netherlands with an emphasis on newcomers to Japan. The basic condition is a collaboration with a Japanese organisation (Artist-in-Residence, exhibition space, etc.), preferably with emerging platforms with potential.
Example: “Threads of Allegory" - textile design project by Laura Luchtman
(Further) development of established platforms and partnerships in which multiple makers can participate over a longer period of time instead of one-off events.
Example: Creative Residency AritaParticipation of makers based in the Netherlands in major cultural events, e.g. Setouchi Triennale, Yokohama Triennale, as this contributes to a stronger Dutch cultural profile in Japan.
Example: "Presence" - photography exhibition by Anton Corbijn at Kyotographie 2026Promote knowledge exchange and joint research development in international heritage collaboration, and find solutions to societal challenges.
Example: Research and collected stories at Tarama, Dutch Trade Post Network
Culture Funds in the Netherlands
Beside support from the Embassy, (financial) support for cultural cooperation and exchange between the Netherlands and Japan is also available through a number of Culture Funds in the Netherlands. Please be aware that these funds have their own priorities and criteria. Please find an overview of the Dutch funds as per below: