Soft power is increasingly important in international relations. It can enhance a country's influence and indirectly its economic and political power. Culture in all its manifestations, history, tradition and social mores form its basis.

Japan with its culture, ancient and modern, has a rich foundation on which soft power can be built. Japanese art has mesmerized art lovers in Europe and North America ever since examples were introduced to the West over 150 years ago. Japanese artists had a huge impact on the Impressionists. Japanese art is justly popular and assumes a prominent place in British museums. The Japanese Mingei movement particularly inspired craftsmen in Britain

Interest in Japanese literature was stimulated by translations, for instance, of "The Tale of Genjj" and Noh plays by such great writers as Arthur Waley. Japanese literature in translation is increasingly available and has had an impact on English literature. There is, for instance, a flourishing haiku society in Britain.