Creative Cities in Japan and Beyond
A Talk with Dr. Masayuki Sasaki
Written By Joey Nunez
Dr. Masayuki Sasaki enjoys seeing creative cities start, blossom and flourish.
To define a creative city, Dr. Sasaki said, “The contents of the free creative work is from all the citizens, so that all the citizens use the creative space and venue.” The venue’s size, or “container,” in the creative cultural city is insignificant compared to what is created from within.
Dr. Sasaki is acknowledged internationally for his leadership in the expanding fields of creative cities and creative tourism. At home in Japan, he currently serves as a professor at the Graduate School for Creative Cities at Osaka City University.
Gwangju News was privileged to meet Dr. Sasaki when he attended the grand opening of the Asian Culture Complex (ACC) on Nov. 25.
What Dr. Sasaki saw at ACC’s community introduction impressed and encouraged him, as he knew that future generations will benefit from the ACC’s offerings. “I like the ACC’s original design. Now as a large container, many students can use this Hub. So, it is possible for ACC to organize creative spaces, and many NGOs can now network with ACC,” he said.
After visiting the University of Bologna, Italy in 2000, Dr. Sasaki began to consider the possibilities for Japan to learn from what he saw in Italy and throughout Europe. He attended a special 15th anniversary celebration of “European Cities of Culture,” with Bologna listed as one of nine selected creative cities, and was delighted to watch the multiple art projects, drama presentations and musical acts.
On the back of this celebration, Dr. Sasaki published his first book, “Challenge for the Creative City,” in order to detail the process by which Bologna gained its prestigious status and explore the ways in which Japan could continue expanding the Creative Culture Network concept.
Dr. Sasaki has since authored two other books and given multiple presentations showing that creative cities can and should be supported in Japan.
“I first started working in technology in Japan, and then my interests moved to culture and art, because there were [sights of] an economy featuring great cultural paths,” he said of his interest in cultural cities.
Insisting that the urban economy redefines its focus by incorporating creativity, Dr. Sasaki also suggests that community members would be better able to contribute their ideas, talents and performances.
Dr. Sasaki has observed that along with the changes Japan is facing, plans for future implementation are essential. “The new high-tech industry needs a new atmosphere, so the new creative economy needs to be [installed as] a creative atmosphere in the city. If it is important to innovate and to regenerate cities, I think that the creative city strategy is essential to solve our problems in Japan,” he said.
Dr. Gyonggu Shin, director of the Gwangju International Center, asked for Dr. Sasaki’s suggestions for how small organizations such as the GIC can contribute to the ACC’s work.
Dr. Sasaki replied, “We are all part of the global network, for there are many communicators. So, the small groups are needed to communicate, for more broadening of the mind, as their views are very important.”
Dr. Sasaki believes that creative cities have a promising future. “In the future, there are not so many [limitations], and the work is very low. The current network is already helping with other projects. So, as a creative city network, we have overcome national boundaries.” Dr. Sasaki emphasized that the Creative City Network exists to help and support newly-established creative cities.
With effective strategies, Gwangju and other cities around the world can apply Dr. Sasaki’s expertise to found, support and strengthen creative cities in which the community can freely take part in the process of creating and enjoying art.