In the beginning of this yr, a brand new report revealed that the Japanese artwork market is among the fastest-growing on this planet, with progress reaching a powerful 11 % since 2019—far outpacing the worldwide common of simply 1 %. Commissioned by Japan’s Company for Cultural Affairs and authored by famend artwork economist Dr. Clare McAndrew—finest recognized for her work on the industry-defining Artwork Basel and UBS report—the survey and its findings have been a part of a broader effort, combining each authorities and personal initiatives to reignite worldwide consideration on Japan’s artwork scene.
These figures ought to come as no shock. Japan is among the world’s main economies and, lately, one of the vital steady. “Particularly over the previous few years—from 2019 to 2023—the Japanese artwork market has proven remarkably sturdy progress,” Eri Takane, director of Tokyo Gendai, advised Observer forward of the honest’s opening. For Takane, that momentum is seen within the arrival of main worldwide galleries opening in Tokyo, together with Tempo and the French gallery Ceysson & Bénétière, each of which launched new areas within the Ginza district final yr. “It’s thrilling to see these galleries coming to Tokyo—not simply to broaden commercially however to problem themselves, discover one thing new and construct relationships with a youthful era of Japanese collectors, which I consider is rising in confidence and curiosity.”
Japan is about to grow to be the fifth-largest financial system in nominal GDP by the top of 2025. Whereas current fiscal insurance policies have begun to rein in authorities bond spending—contributing to a weakened bond market—wage progress stays sturdy with base-pay will increase of round 3.5 % anticipated in 2025. This has helped maintain personal consumption. Inflation is essentially underneath management, and a current tariff settlement with the U.S. has helped cut back commerce uncertainty, notably within the automotive sector, additional boosting enterprise sentiment, home optimism and client confidence—a promising local weather for the artwork market to proceed its upward trajectory.
On the similar time, Japan has seen a sustained tourism growth following the pandemic and the total resumption of worldwide journey, making 2025 a record-breaking yr. In simply the primary half of the yr, the nation welcomed 21.5 million worldwide guests, reaching that milestone quicker than ever and surpassing the 2024 whole by mid-year. Japan is now on monitor to simply exceed the 36.9 million guests recorded final yr, with analysts projecting greater than 40 million arrivals by the top of 2025. Whole vacationer spending is anticipated to prime ¥10 trillion (round $69 billion), making tourism Japan’s second-largest export sector, behind cars and forward of electronics elements—each of which now face rising tariff pressures.
At this time, Japan stays the second-largest artwork market in Asia. “Particularly over the previous few years—from 2019 to 2023—the Japanese artwork market has proven remarkably sturdy progress,” explains Takane. That momentum is clear within the arrival of main worldwide galleries organising store in Tokyo, together with Tempo and the French gallery Ceysson & Bénétière, each of which not too long ago opened new areas within the Ginza district. “It’s thrilling to see these galleries coming to Tokyo, not simply to broaden commercially but in addition to problem themselves, discover one thing new and construct relationships with a youthful era of Japanese collectors, which I consider is rising in confidence and curiosity.”
In the meantime, Japan’s share of the worldwide artwork market stays a modest 5 %, however its artwork scene—notably within the post-pandemic years—has begun to open up and embrace a extra worldwide outlook. A key turning level got here with the 2021 tax reform that eased restrictions on artworks bought or exhibited via free port zones. By eliminating tens of millions in duties and taxes, the reform made it considerably extra possible for worldwide galleries to take part in Japanese artwork festivals. It additionally proved pivotal to the launch of Tokyo Gendai in 2023.
Since its inception, Takane has envisioned the honest as a platform that brings collectors, sponsors, charities and most people collectively whereas providing the infrastructure for significant alternate. Set to return this yr to Pacifico Yokohama from September 12 to 14, the honest will host sixty-seven galleries, evenly cut up 50/50 between Japanese and worldwide individuals. “It’s a strong stability and an important alternative for each side to alternate concepts, construct new relationships and begin conversations which may result in future collaborations,” says Takane. “Who is aware of, perhaps 5 or ten years from now, we’ll see new joint exhibitions or tasks that hint their roots again to this second. It appears like we’re constructing one thing for the longer term.” Notably, the honest has shifted its dates from July to September, positioning itself simply after Seoul Artwork Week. “With our new autumn dates, we’re beginning a brand new chapter and welcoming the cultural season in Japan,” defined Takane. “We’re thrilled to collaborate carefully with establishments, festivals and festivals throughout Japan and the broader area to indicate guests the breadth and dynamism of Japan’s modern artwork scene.”
Among the many returning exhibitors at Tokyo Gendai are established worldwide names like Tempo Gallery, Sadie Coles HQ and Ceysson & Bénétière, alongside main Japanese galleries akin to Taka Ishii Gallery, Kotaro Nukaga, Kai Kai Kiki and SCAI The Bathhouse. A Lighthouse referred to as Kanata will current a curated showcase of works by modern sculptors and painters whose visible language is rooted in Japanese creative traditions, whereas ShugoArts (Tokyo) is getting ready a gaggle presentation of labor by main Japanese ladies artists, together with Leiko Ikemura, Aki Kondo and Ritsue Mishima.
Almine Rech will even return with a sales space exploring the dialogue between poetry, abstraction and conceptual type with works by Larry Poons, Mehdi Ghadyanloo, Dylan Kraus and John Giorno. From Germany, Galerie EIGEN+ART will current a centered pairing of Carsten Nicolai and Stefan Guggisberg. In the meantime, Korean powerhouse Johyun Gallery will stage a gaggle exhibition combining the work of Japanese Mono-ha artist Kishio Suga with Korean artists Ahn Jisan, Kim Chong Hak, Kim Taek Sang and Lee Bae. Collaborating for the primary time, Galerie Eva Presenhuber will showcase a number of the most in-demand artists from its roster, together with Joe Bradley, Sam Falls, Chase Corridor, Shara Hughes, Ugo Rondinone, Tschabalala Self and Steven Shearer—a transparent sign that the seasoned Swiss seller sees sturdy potential within the Japanese collector base.
Lately—notably for the reason that pandemic—Tokyo has witnessed a compelling wave of recent galleries rising throughout the town: younger sellers, contemporary areas and dynamic applications centered on championing native inventive expertise and fostering dialogue with worldwide artists and audiences. Some rising voices—like PARCEL, CON_ and ANOMALY—can be featured within the honest’s Hana (“Flower”) part, devoted to solo displays that highlight rising abilities and ignored mid-career artists ripe for rediscovery. “There’s a particular generational shift occurring, and we wish to be certain that Tokyo Gendai serves as a platform to showcase that vitality,” explains Takane. Notably, the extra accessible Hana sector has drawn elevated curiosity from worldwide galleries this yr, together with BANK (Shanghai/New York), Boccanera Gallery (Italy), the experimental No Man’s Artwork Gallery (Amsterdam) and the dynamic Nigerian house Retro Africa.
To assist Japan’s more and more vibrant ecosystem of rising galleries—in addition to worldwide ones taking an opportunity on the Japanese market—Takane is particularly proud to introduce the brand new Hana Artist Award. This yr marks its inaugural version, with probably the most excellent presentation within the Hana sector receiving a $10,000 money prize and particular recognition on the honest. The winner can be chosen by a prestigious worldwide jury that features Miwako Tezuka, director of the soon-to-open Dib Bangkok and Kenjiro Hosaka from the Shiga Prefecture Museum. “This initiative is absolutely about motivating the youthful era—not simply rising artists but in addition youthful gallerists,” explains Takane. “We needed to create one thing that appears ahead, energizes them and provides a way of future chance.”
Additionally returning this yr is the curated exhibition house Tsubomi (“Flower Bud”), devoted to showcasing artists who’re underrepresented or not at present represented by galleries. This yr’s presentation highlights the work of Japanese ladies artists using conventional craft methods and the importance of artisanal practices in modern artwork discourse. The present creates a resonant dialogue between the poetic ceramics of Namika Nakai (Taro Nasu), the fragile glasswork of Ritsue Mishima (ShugoArts) and the lacquer sculptures of Chie Aoki (Sokyo Gallery).
Japanese crafts have lengthy been handed down via generations of grasp artisans, but ladies practitioners have traditionally obtained much less recognition, explains Takane. The intention of the exhibition is to highlight how these conventional methods are being carried ahead, revived and reimagined via modern practices—and in doing so, launched to new world audiences. Notably, the presentation was curated by Takane herself in collaboration with Mari Hashimoto, cultural supervisor, curatorial producer and director of the preparatory workplace for the Kankitsuzan Museum of the Enoura Observatory, based by Hiroshi Sugimoto and slated to open in 2027. “From the start, I’ve needed Tsubomi to function a platform that amplifies native and worldwide voices,” Takane explains. “I’m proud that this yr we’re in a position to deal with a dialogue between craft heritage and modern Japanese artwork.”
Additional enriching the honest’s curatorial and institutional scope, the Sato “Meadow” program returns this yr, providing a curated collection of large-scale site-specific installations and performances woven all through the cubicles. Highlights embody The Metal Bar and the Pictorial Reminiscence of the Gesture, a monumental work by French artist Bernar Venet (Ceysson & Bénétière) and a twin presentation of items by Takuro Kuwata and Dan McCarthy (Kosaku Kanechika). In the meantime, the Ne (“Root”) part will host particular showcases by main Japanese artwork foundations, together with the Obayashi Basis, Fukutake Basis, Odawara Basis and Cadan: Up to date Artwork Sellers Affiliation Nippon.
Persevering with its mission to catalyze Tokyo’s broader artwork ecosystem, Tokyo Gendai will as soon as once more current a strong schedule of occasions, institutional partnerships and assortment visits. “We wish to create alternatives for folks to find one thing new. Japan already has unimaginable venues and museums,” explains Takane.
Whereas the town’s private and non-private museums are ready to stage their finest exhibitions to coincide with the honest, Tokyo Gendai has additionally partnered this yr with the Nationwide Artwork Heart to current a particular collaboration with M+ in Hong Kong. The ensuing exhibition, Prism of the Actual: Making Artwork in Japan 1989-2010, explores artwork that emerged in Japan throughout these transformative a long time and its affect on the worldwide stage—tracing each its historical past and trajectories. In the meantime, main personal museums are additionally contributing to the cultural panorama: Artizon Museum is internet hosting a centered exhibition on First Nation Australian ladies artists, whereas the Mori Artwork Museum spotlights the architectural genius of Sou Fujimoto. “There’s this superb overlap of main institutional exercise all occurring across the similar time, which reinforces the vitality of the week.”
The honest continues to obtain sturdy assist from SMBC, one in every of Japan’s largest banks and a lead accomplice for the third yr operating. “They’ve been very proactive about activating their very own networks throughout the artwork group and supporting the broader market,” says Takane, noting that main companies more and more acknowledge modern artwork as a approach to interact and energize communities throughout Japan.
A brand new partnership with Artwork Busan has additionally unlocked Korean authorities funding, enabling the participation of 10 Korean galleries on this yr’s version. However the collaboration extends properly past the fairgrounds. As Takane notes, Artwork Busan can also be organizing a particular exhibition at Terada Artwork Advanced, the colourful Tennozu Isle hub that homes greater than twenty galleries and stays a longtime accomplice of Tokyo Gendai. As well as, the honest has teamed up with Meta Media, which owns ArtReview and Artwork Journal, to extend participation from Chinese language collectors. “All these partnerships create a broader cultural alternate, and we’re anticipating many worldwide company to hitch us for it,” remarks Takane.
Final however not least, as a part of the honest’s dedication to nurturing the native artwork scene and offering a platform for the broader group, Tokyo Gendai will launch its first curatorial symposium this yr at Spark Shiseido, positioned only a ten-minute stroll from the honest. The gathering will carry collectively twenty to thirty curators from Japan and overseas. “The purpose is to present them house for networking, dialogue and discovery—and to introduce them on to the artists, galleries and establishments linked to the honest,” the director explains.
The VIP program that the honest is assembling this yr is designed to encourage guests to discover past Tokyo and expertise different elements of Japan. Most notably, Tokyo Gendai coincides with the opening of Aichi Triennale 2025, one of the vital historic and revered biennials in Japan and throughout the area. Titled A Time Between Ashes and Roses, this sixth version can be held underneath the creative route of Hoor Al Qasimi, President and Director of the Sharjah Artwork Basis. Because of this collaboration, Tokyo Gendai VIP company will proceed their journey after the honest to preview the Triennale throughout its inaugural days.
Further particular journeys included in Tokyo Gendai’s VIP programming will take company to the Setouchi area, house to the destination-making Benesse Artwork Websites on Naoshima and Teshima Islands and the newly opened Rabbit Gap in Okayama. Different excursions will journey to Nara Prefecture and Nasushiobara in Tochigi Prefecture, the place company will discover N’s YARD, a up to date artwork house devoted to the work of celebrated artist Yoshitomo Nara and go to the Kishio Suga Souko Museum, which homes each small- and large-scale works by Kishio Suga, a number one determine of the enduring Mono-ha motion. A specifically curated go to to Kyoto will provide a deeper look into Japan’s enduring legacy of creative expression. “By these excursions, we’re attempting to introduce guests to the broader panorama of Japanese tradition and artwork past what’s on view in Tokyo,” explains Takane.
In the meantime, the honest can also be persevering with its public talks and teaching programs designed to welcome not solely collectors and VIPs but in addition members of most people. “We would like Tokyo Gendai to be an area the place everybody, no matter background, can come collectively, be taught and have interaction with artwork. That openness and accessibility are central to what we’re constructing,” remarks Takane.
When requested what stays a key precedence for her in main this third version and shaping the honest’s future, Takane as soon as once more emphasizes her want to construct a bridge between Japanese audiences and the worldwide artwork group. “I see Tokyo Gendai as a platform for dialogue, the place folks from everywhere in the world can come collectively, join and alternate concepts,” she says. “I hope the honest can grow to be a real hub the place everybody—artists, establishments, collectors, curators, the general public—can collect, work together and create one thing significant collectively.”
Tokyo Gendai runs to Pacifico Yokohama from September 11 to September 14, 2025.
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