Japanese Emerging Artists: Barriers to Enter into the Art World

This paper investigates the factors that hinder Japan’s emerging artists from entering the mainstream art world.  The structure of the Japanese art world is unique and complicated, and the foundation of the contemporary art world in Japan is not well established.  Japan’s contemporary art world has little capacity or institutional space to accept experimental or free expression of art works and to allow for a natural growth for artists in their careers.  In this paper, ten suggestions are provided to create an environment that can accept the diversity of artists or experimental artworks, foster a community in the art world, and expand the domestic contemporary art market.