The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Municipal Cooperation Project started in fiscal 2023 as a project to create opportunities to approach potential issues and needs of municipalities from a cultural context. By developing cultural projects in places close to local residents, we aim to create opportunities for people to feel comfortable with arts and culture, and to make use of arts and culture in a variety of situations in local governments. We support new initiatives by municipalities that are responsible for cultural projects in local communities. In fiscal 2025, 2 projects are under way: the Tokyo/Fuchu City Arts & Culture Collaboration Project and the Tokyo/Kokubunji City Arts & Culture Collaboration Project.
To find out what kind of effect the "collaboration" in the "Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Ward, Municipality Collaboration Project" is actually having, we interviewed Mr. Risei Sato and Mr. Naoshi Okawa, program officers and project managers at Arts Council Tokyo.
As an opportunity to encourage people in the community who want to do something or not to do something, and to take a step forward
In the first place, why did the Tokyo metropolitan government set up a system to work with municipalities to solve local problems? Behind this was the desire to respond to the problems faced by municipalities, such as "I thought we needed to utilize art and culture, but I don't have a clue how to do it." No money, no know-how, no opportunity, and no precedent. These multiple reasons are intertwined one after the other behind the fact that municipalities are aware of these issues but have yet to implement them.
Under the "Tokyo Art Point Plan," the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Arts Council Tokyo have been working together with NPOs and other organizations to create various "art points" to create new values and creative activities for society. From 2009 to the present (April 2025), we have worked with 62 organizations on 49 projects. Through these projects, Arts Council Tokyo will provide the know-how, networks, and ideas it has accumulated, and by supporting those who could not take a step forward on their own, the aim of the "Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Municipal Cooperation Project" is to create the first achievements in the community and connect them to the future.
Start-up and Expansion of Local Businesses as Seen by Textile BAR in FUCHU
In Fuchu City, for example, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Fuchu City Arts and Culture Collaboration Project is underway from FY 2024 to FY 2025. Fuchu City, spearheaded by Mayor Ritsuo Takano, has declared its mission to create a symbiotic society. Against this background, we began to explore what approach we should take in the field of cultural policy.
"In fiscal 2024, in the process of setting up the project with city officials, we began discussing what kind of people we should target with the project under the theme of "symbiotic society." But it's hard to see that. Therefore, we decided to start the project by utilizing the radio program "Artist Collective Futchu (hereinafter ACF)" run by (*), who has been working on a joint project since 2018 under the Tokyo Art Point Project, as a platform to meet various people." says Sato.
(*) A network of art fans and people who are involved in art, mainly in Fuchu City, Tokyo, aiming to create a city where everyone can freely express themselves.
"Artist Collective Fuchu presents" Otonofune "is a radio program that covers the art scene in Fuchu, such as the activities of artists living in Fuchu and the dissemination of art in the city. Using the program, he decided to produce an interview video "Listen to and see a symbiotic society" from Fuchu City. We held a public recording with guests engaged in activities related to a symbiotic society and uploaded a video recording of the broadcast to the Fuchu City YouTube channel. The search was made for a style of communication that was visually accessible and could reach those who could see, those who could not see, those who could hear and those who could not hear.
"We invited a wide range of people as guests, including Mayor Ritsuo Takano, UD font designer Hiromi Takada, and Eiji Nakagawa, who lives in Fuchu City and is the coach of Japan's Paris 2024 Paralympic Blind Soccer National Team. Based on this 2024 project, Fuchu City will become one of the venues for the Deaflympics in 2025, and the "Sign Language Drama Festival" will be held. (*) The city of Fuchu and the ACF, as well as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Arts Council Tokyo, discussed how we could do something together with Deaf people. "
In this context, the "Textile Bar in FUCHU" project was launched in fiscal 2025. This is a workshop where anyone can enjoy weaving, organized by artist Taku Kumura. Just like enjoying a drink at a bar counter, you can choose from a wide variety of yarns and fabrics lined up at the counter and enjoy a conversation while weaving. This time, we also aimed to create an environment where dialogue can naturally occur, whether we can hear or not, through the medium of weaving.
(*) An event organized by the National Association of City Chiefs of Sign Language with the aim of spreading the appeal of sign language and promoting sign language culture. In the past, it was held 7 times in cities, towns, and villages throughout Japan, and the 8th fiscal year 2025 was held in Fuchu City on September 28. Through sign language kyogen, sign language songs, and performances by sign language performers, many people had the opportunity to experience the culture and appeal of sign language.
"The LIGHT UP LOBBY GALLERY operated by ACF is used as the venue for the event, and ACF plays a central role in the management of the event. The yarn used for the fabric is supplied by "Raccolta - Creative Materials Lab" (*), which is a part of ACF's activities, and is 100% made in Fuchu. There is also close cooperation between city officials and ACF. In addition, for this project, Mr. Hisamura made a counter that can be easily set up by anyone, so that the program can be carried out in the same way even if the location is changed. In this way, I feel that the development of a relationship in which both the public and private sectors can cooperate with each other in the community, and the sharing of a highly versatile business system will greatly contribute to the expansion of future businesses." said Sato.
(*) An activity launched by Artist Collective Futyu as a result of a collaborative project proposed by citizens in Fuchu City. The company has created a system to utilize unneeded parts and materials provided by local companies as creative materials for expression.
Behind the scenes, creating a space where communication between participants is smooth and nurturing is the unified support of Fuchu City officials, ACF staff, Tokyo Metropolitan Government staff, and Arts Council Tokyo staff, who support the "Weaving Bar" from preparation to the day's operation. Before the "Weaving Bar" opened, all staff gathered early to prepare the basic crafting kits, wrapping thread around cardboard patterns. The previous "Weaving Bar" was so successful that it far exceeded expectations, leading to a shortage of pre-prepared crafting kits and a need to quickly increase production. Building on that experience, this time, they worked tirelessly, ensuring they had enough kits. Before the event even opened, city officials were seen carefully reviewing the weaving instructions with Hisamura at the counter before welcoming participants. Their passion for providing support and confidence when participants approach them is palpable. Through trial and error, each staff member involved has gained new insights through repeated visits, and the positive attitude of wanting to create a better experience and space for interaction is what has helped grow the Textile Bar.
While involving local actors, we will meet people and make connections in the process, and raise the level of our activities to further develop. More than the results of the project, what the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Municipal Cooperation Project values is the process of search and search leading up to the project and the autonomous network of local entities that is built through the project.
Cultivate the soil, sow the seeds, and cultivate the waterers for change to come from within the community
After a trial run in September, the Textiles Bar in FUCHU was held for two days on October 24, 2025 and 25th. Thanks to the city's publicity and word-of-mouth effect, the first day was full soon after the doors opened, despite the rain on a weekday.
For this year's Textile Bar, participants were invited from the general public to run the bar. On the day of the event, participants were welcomed by unique bar owners who took turns standing at the bar, including Mr. Hisamura. Participants are given a basic kit to make and choose from a wide variety of threads lined up at the counter where the shop owner is present. The participants themselves get into the world of textiles by watching and listening to the weavers themselves, by asking people nearby how to weave and by peering at the weavers next to them. The owner quietly watches over the interaction between the participants, and sometimes stands close to them with a sense of support. It is difficult to do it alone, but when you talk with someone, you will understand how to do it. It is an exquisite device that naturally leads to conversation, smiles, and rich communication. People with friends, families with babies, people who could hear and people who could not hear, peered next to each other, sometimes talked to each other and smiled as they worked as they pleased.
The finished work can be photographed or viewed in a frame. A new conversation was born from the displayed works. When the staff tell me about the historical background and the story of the material I have chosen, I feel even more attached to it and fated to have met it as a textile material. The final product is a small coaster, but one of the staff members arranged it as a brooch and wore it, which was so nice that I decided to imitate it.
"In the true sense, in order for each community to change their way of life, even if only a little, I think it is necessary for the people in charge of the administration side and the people living in the community to experience the process of trying, noticing, discovering, trying again, and thinking together. Everyone learns and changes a little bit. I feel that the role of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Municipal Cooperation Program is to embed a perspective for that purpose. The project is nothing more than an opportunity, and when I hear that people involved in the project have developed a relationship where they can say, "Oh!" when they happen to pass each other on the street, I feel that the experience of the project is being given back to the community, and I am happy." said Sato.
Through the "Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Municipal Cooperation Project," the first step is to "cultivate the soil" by identifying issues in the community, fostering local leaders, and building relationships. The first case that results is the "seed" that is sown on the ground. In order to ensure that seeds do not end up as a single project, it is necessary to expand the circle of people who water and grow the seeds, both in the government and in the private sector, as well as in local communities. As human connections grow, the "seed" develops independently as an initiative rooted in the community and grows into a large tree with abundant branches and leaves. Furthermore, we can expect a future in which organic networks of people and know-how will expand like a forest in the region by taking advantage of the know-how and personal connections that we have developed through our business to approach other issues in the same region. The "Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Municipality Collaboration Project" is a partnership that is rooted in the local community. It is precisely for municipalities that are looking for someone to join hands and explore together while still not knowing the right answer.
Photo and text: Maeda Mami