Cool Japan in Düsseldorf: How Pop Culture Became Global Soft Power
Date and Time
Location
Price
About this Event
Mood
Venue Type
How Japan Reaches the World with Pop Culture
Pokémon, Hello Kitty, manga, and anime are now part of everyday life globally. But how did Japanese pop culture become an international superpower – and what role does cultural policy play in this? The lecture Cool Japan: Transcultural Pop Culture or Cultural Policy? on November 5, 2026, at the NRW-Forum Düsseldorf will examine the global impact of Japanese pop culture.
Between Manga, Anime, and National Branding
Prof. Dr. Annette Schad-Seifert from the Institute for Modern Japan at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf will highlight the enormous international potential of Japanese cultural products. The focus will be on well-known characters and formats that engage audiences far beyond Japan and shape entire scenes.
The evening will expertly contextualize these developments within the history of transcultural pop culture. The event combines media analysis, cultural studies, and current questions of international cultural communication.
Cool Japan as Cultural Soft Power
Since 2010, Japanese policy has increasingly relied on cultural exports as a form of soft power. Through the initiative Cool Japan, the Japanese Ministry of Economy has specifically invested in national branding and the international visibility of Japanese culture.
The lecture asks how closely economic success, international image management, and cultural policy strategies are connected. Pop culture is presented not only as an entertaining export hit but also as a tool for cultural external influence.
A Lecture within ASIA POP
The event is created in cooperation between the NRW-Forum and the Institute for Modern Japan at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf. It is part of the accompanying program of the exhibition ASIA POP, which presents East Asian pop culture in its aesthetic, economic, and cultural-political dimensions.
The NRW-Forum thus provides a fitting venue for an event that brings together popular imagery, media, fan culture, and international cultural relations. The audience's mood thrives on the blend of familiar pop icons and surprising cultural-political perspectives.
Conclusion: Rethinking Pop Culture
Visitors can expect an informative evening about manga, anime, brand characters, and the political strategies behind Japan's global cultural presence. Those who want to not only experience Japanese pop culture but also better understand its impact and international significance will find exciting food for thought. Participation in the lecture is free; registration is recommended.
Official Channels of Cool Japan: Transcultural Pop Culture or Cultural Policy?
- Instagram: No official profile found
- Facebook: No official profile found
- YouTube: No official profile found
- TikTok: No official profile found
