National / Crime & Legal May 19, 2021
Exec of governor recall campaign and three others held over forged names
The police did not disclose whether the four suspects have admitted to the charges.
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Mar 6, 2021
Controversy still lingers over 2019 Aichi art show
by Philip Brasor
Irregularities surface in a campaign to recall Aichi Gov. Hideaki Omura over his role in allowing the contentious exhibition.
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Nov 9, 2019
Exploring the artistic subtleties at play behind the controversial Aichi Triennale exhibition
by Philip Brasor
The Aichi Triennale arts festival closed on Oct. 14, and, along with it, a controversial exhibition titled "After 'Freedom of Expression?'", which had been temporarily shut down following threats of violence and complaints. The main point of contention was a statue of a Korean ...
National Oct 15, 2019
Aichi art festival featuring controversial 'comfort women' statue wraps up without incident
The Aichi Triennale 2019 art festival, which included a controversial exhibition featuring a statue of a girl symbolizing the so-called comfort women, came to a close Monday. As the 75-day festival in Aichi Prefecture ended, Gov. Hideaki Omura, head of the event's organizing committee, told ...
National Oct 8, 2019
Controversial art exhibition featuring 'comfort woman' statue reopens in Nagoya
The organizers also introduced steps to better deal with telephone complaints about the art works.
Editorials Oct 2, 2019
By canceling an art festival subsidy, the government sent the wrong message that threats and pressure can be an effective weapon to censor freedom of expression.
National Sep 26, 2019
Aichi art festival won't receive state subsidy after controversy over 'comfort women' exhibit
The exhibit “After ‘Freedom of Expression?’” was closed three days after the Aug. 1 opening over security concerns due to multiple threats to the festival.
National / Social Issues Sep 2, 2019
Japan exhibition organizer defends pulling 'comfort woman' statue as opponents decry censorship
The Aichi Triennale’s artistic director justified the move given a crisis in ties between Japan and South Korea and arson threats.
Stage | CULTURE NOTES Aug 22, 2019
Aichi Triennale: Our freedoms are not dead just yet
by Nobuko Tanaka
The sudden Aug. 3 closure of "After 'Freedom of Expression?'" — a multiartist exhibit at the Aichi Triennale 2019 — clearly highlighted the ongoing struggles some people have with that very issue of freedoms in Japan. Ironically, too, that exhibit comprised contributions that, according to ...
National / Social Issues Aug 20, 2019
Controversial art exhibit's closure leaves Japan pondering limits of freedom of expression
by Reiji Yoshida
Ever since a section of a public art exhibition in Nagoya was closed after coming under a barrage of complaints and threats, Japan has been in a state of introspection over its freedom of expression. Amid the intense debate, two fundamental questions remain: In the age ...
Art Aug 19, 2019
Bontaro Dokuyama: The art of expression
by Jennifer Pastore
After the Great East Japan Earthquake, Fukushima native Bontaro Dokuyama began to focus on becoming an artist, explaining that he didn't see much expression from his home area: "If the audience enjoys having their thoughts provoked, that is enjoyable for me as an artist."
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Aug 17, 2019
Outrage over Aichi Triennale exhibition ignites debate over freedom of expression in art
by Philip Brasor
Three days after it opened on Aug. 1, a section of the Aichi Triennale 2019 arts festival, which is taking place in and around the city of Nagoya, was closed due to controversy over one of its exhibits and an anonymous threat. The section is ...