Pop culture is one of Japan’s most valuable exports and outlets for domestic consumption, both in terms of soft power and traditional economic gains. The financial side is evident from the success of Demon Slayer: Mugen Train (劇場版「鬼滅の刃」無限列車編), which recently became Japan’s highest-grossing film ever, a feat that it achieved in less than three months. This performance is even more remarkable during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has limited access to theaters. Although Japan has experienced a relatively low number of positive cases in terms of population percentage, the pandemic has still significantly altered everyday life in the country. The pop culture industry has also offered an important respite for Japanese wishing to escape from the pressures of our current COVID environment. Join us for a conversation on the importance of pop culture for Japan’s current society, how cultural ambassadors are helping the country in this challenging time, and how trends during the pandemic might transform Japanese pop culture forever.
This event is part of the Japanese government’s “Walk in U.S., Talk on Japan” program.