Cool Japan: Soft Power Strategy and Cultural Transformation
No. 9 (2025-06-27)Author(s)
-
Florencia ChortUniversidad Nacional de Rosario
Abstract
From Pokémon and Hello Kitty to sushi and ramen, elements of Japanese culture have reached millions of people around the world. When we think of Japan, we often see it as a global reference in design and innovation. But how has the Japanese government capitalized on this phenomenon?
This article explores the strategy known as Cool Japan, a government-led initiative aimed at increasing the country’s soft power resources. We trace its origins, objectives, and challenges, while also examining the global shifts that have influenced the evolution of this strategy and its impact on Japan’s soft power projection.
References
Chua, B. H. (2012). Structure, Audience and Soft Power in East Asian Pop Culture. Hong Kong : Hong Kong University Press.
Cool Japan Fund Inc. (2017). What is Cool Japan Fund? https://www.cj-fund.co.jp/en/about/cjfund.html
Cool Japan Fund Inc. (2024). Company Overview. https://web.archive.org/web/20240805115053/https://www.cj-fund.co.jp/en/about/company.html
Fan, Y. (2010). Branding the nation: Towards a better understanding. Place branding and public diplomacy, 6(2), 97–103.
Hong, Y.-S., & Chen, H.-W. (2017). Does the Medium-term Development of the Creative Economy Guarantee Long-term Evolution? International Journal of Cultural and Creative Industries, 5(1), 22-45.
Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters. (2024). New Cool Japan Strategy. Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters. https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/singi/titeki2/chitekizaisan2024/pdf/siryou4_e.pdf
Jaramillo Jassir, M. (2015). Poder blando y diplomacia cultural: Elementos claves de políticas exteriores en transformaciones. Bogotá: Editorial Universidad del Rosario.
Mcgray, D. (2002). Japan's Gross National Cool. Retrieved from Foreign Policy Magazine, No.130, 44-45: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3183487?origin=JSTOR-pdf&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
METI. (2010). Establishment of the Creative Industries Promotion Office. Obtenido de Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry . https://web.archive.org/web/20100904072736/http:/www.meti.go.jp/english/press/data/20100608_01.html
METI. (2012). Cool Japan Strategy. Obtenido de Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. https://web.archive.org/web/20231125114432/https://www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/mono_info_service/creative_industries/pdf/120116_01a.pdf
METI. (2014). CoFesta 2014 will be Held as Part of the Initiatives to Further Convey Japan’s Content to the World. Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. https://web.archive.org/web/20180305071830/https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2014/0916_02.html
METI. (2024). Press conference by Minister Saito. Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. https://www.meti.go.jp/english/speeches/press_conferences/2024/0614001.html
Nye, J. S. (2006). Think Again: Soft Power. Foreign Policy. http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=3393.
Nye, J. S. (2008). Public Diplomacy and Soft Power. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 616, 94-109.
Otmazgin, N. K. (2012). Geopolitics and Soft Power: Japan's CulturalPolicy and Cultural Diplomacy in Asia. Asia-Pacific Review, 19(1), 37-61.
Saito, Y. (2017). Cool Japan Fund's big ambitions mostly fall flat. Nikkei Asia. https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Cool-Japan-Fund-s-big-ambitions-mostly-fall-flat?page=1
Valaskivi, K. (2013). A brand new future? Cool Japan and the social imaginary of the branded nation. Japan Forum, 25(4), 485-504.