(Purpose) The Japanese government recognizes that culture will play an important role in revitalizing the stagnant national economy after the East Japan Earthquake. Based on these needs, the Japanese government announced its ‘Cultural Economy Strategy’ in 2018. This study attempted to analyze the implications of the cultural economy strategy in the process of cultural policy development. The purpose of this study is to analyze Japan's cultural and economic strategy in terms of the development of cultural policy and a comparative perspective.
(Design/methodology/approach) Through prior research on the historical development of cultural policy and the comparison of cultural policy, the standard and framework for the view of the development of cultural policy and the basis for comparison are set. The significance and implications of the 'Cultural Economy Strategy' were analyzed from the perspective of change and development of cultural policy. These criteria for analysis include the concept and importance of culture, areas and objects of cultural policy, and actors and participants of cultural policy.
(Findings) In terms of the concept and significance of culture, it is not limited to culture and art, which is the object of existing cultural policy, but recognizes the importance of the concept more deeply through the expansion of the concept of culture. It is meaningful to expand from culture and art to living culture, cultural industry, from local culture to international cultural fields linked to national brands, to cultural welfare and multicultural symbiosis policies for the creation and enjoyment of culture for the whole people. In addition, in the concept of cultural properties, while maintaining a perspective on the preservation of traditional cultural properties, a balanced interest is paid to the creation of future cultural properties. It recognizes various executive entities and related organizations and organizations according to the expanded cultural concept and policy area. Various participants are working to establish a framework for participation in the policy process.
(Research implications or Originality) The exploratory analysis of Japan's Cultural Economic Strategy in this study is judged to be valuable in providing meaningful information in contemplating the direction of cultural policy.