Japanese Design Today 100 was first developed in 2004 by the Japan Foundation and then toured the world for the following decade. A second edition of the well-received exhibition was developed in 2013 and commenced touring the following year. Now we present the third edition of the exhibition, which again brings together superlative examples of Japanese design from a present-day perspective.

The exhibition includes approximately 100 items, most of which are products released after 2000, but it also includes several masterpieces from earlier times in which we can trace the roots of contemporary Japanese design. From objects such as consumer products to intangible systems and services, the designs we use in our daily lives speak volumes about the evolution of our lifestyles and society. We hope this wide-ranging exhibition will convey not only the characteristics of Japanese design, but also the current state of Japanese culture.

Since the Japan Foundation was established in 1972, it has delivered a diverse program of international cultural exchange around the world centered on three fields: arts and cultural exchange, Japanese-language education overseas, and Japanese studies and global partnerships. Within the field of arts and cultural exchange, the Foundation has continued to organize traveling exhibitions of artworks and other objects from its collection that are shown in various locations around the world. The contents of the traveling exhibitions range from contemporary art to traditional crafts, architecture, design, and photography, and approximately 15 such exhibitions are currently being held at museums and cultural institutions around the world.