Date : September 12, 2025
Protecting Japan’s Festivals (Prof. Satoru Ishigaki, Associate Professor, Faculty of Tourism and Community Development, Kokugakuin University)
post date : 2025.08.20
As a form of cultural expression representing Japan inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, traditional festivals have different unique features depending on the region while being passed down in daily life and continue to fascinate people. However, in recent years, due to the declining birthrate, aging population, population decline, and young people moving to cities, the number of participants in local festivals has been declining. With local ties weakening and festivals being founded on community connections, it has become difficult to maintain some festivals in their traditional form.
On the other hand, while these festivals can act as an emotional pillar for the community, they are also valuable as tourism resources, and in recent years there has been growing interest from overseas tourists in the diverse festivals found throughout Japan.
The FPCJ has invited Prof. Satoru Ishigaki, an associate professor at Kokugakuin University who has spent many years observing festivals throughout Japan, researching and recording their historical background and cultural significance while looking into their changing roles in local communities, to discuss protecting Japan’s festivals. While covering the modern issues facing festivals, he will discuss sustainable festivals, new ways for festivals to involve local residents, youth, and tourists, and positive case studies from throughout Japan.
Please note that you cannot physically attend this briefing, as it will be a Zoom webinar.
Embassy representatives and FPCJ supporting members may also participate in the briefing as observers (admission free).
■ Date & Time: 14:00-15:30, Friday, September 12, 2025 (Deadline for application: 12:00, Thursday, September 11)
■ Theme: Protecting Japan’s Festivals
■Briefer: Prof. Satoru Ishigaki, Associate Professor, Faculty of Tourism and Community Development, Kokugakuin University
Brief Bio: Born in Akita Prefecture in 1984. Majored in folklore studies at the University of Tsukuba. After withdrawing, worked at the Niigata Prefectural Museum of History, the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and Tokyo Kasei Gakuin University before his current position. Also a member of councils for the protection of cultural properties in prefectures including Toyama, Shizuoka, and Kochi. Specializes in folklore studies, museology, and protection of cultural properties. Main works include Japan Folk Customs 4: Foods and Agriculture, Visiting Gods: Masked & Disguised Gods, Japan Food Culture 5: Alcohol and Seasonings & Preserved Foods, Can Festivals Be Protected, Prospect for Community Development Through Tourism (all co-authored).
■Language: Japanese, with consecutive English interpretation
As in our standard press briefings, there will be a Q&A session at the end.
*In principle, questions will only be accepted from members of the foreign press.
■Members of the Foreign Press:
Please send any questions for the briefer or topics you are interested in to cp@fpcjpn.or.jp by noon on Tuesday, September 9.
As there will only be a limited amount of time to ask questions during the briefing, we will collect questions and provide them to the briefer in advance.
■How to Apply: Please refer to the email we sent.
*We will not be accepting applications by email.