[Overseas Expansion Case Collection vol.7] A book that conveys the way of life on the world stage (Fukushita Taro)

“Overseas Expansion Case Collection” vol.7 released!

The “Overseas Expansion Case Collection” series interviews people who have exhibited at events managed by Japan Promotion so far, and listens to valuable stories about reactions from countries around the world that they have actually witnessed and their subsequent activities.

In this section, which is the 7th in the series, the calligrapher'sFukushiya Taro-samaWe asked about their ingenuity to win the hearts of audiences on overseas stages and their current activities in various countries.

≪Click here for past articles≫
‍ ●vol.1 “Succeed in attracting tourists with a PR strategy that combines local characters and SNS! (Mr. Toshiaki Arisawa, Genki Creation Division, Susaki City)”
●vol.2 “Local reactions are the greatest harvest! Exhibited at Japan Expo Paris that got a lot of insight (Kyushu Economic Federation, Mr. Chiken Shigeyoshi)”
●vol.3 “Overseas exhibition experience triggered the “Oyabe Fairy Tale Party” (Mr. Yukihiro Funami, Tourism Promotion Division, Oyabe City, Toyama Prefecture)”
●vol.4 “Rediscover local appeal through overseas exhibitions, improving on-site responsiveness is also a major weapon (Mr. Hiromi Kobayashi, Tochigi City Hall General Policy Department)”
●vol.5 “Making “Awa Odori” the Common Language of the World (Creative Dance Group Takarafune)”
●vol.6 “Pursuing World-Class Japanese Beauty with a Multifaceted Approach (KIRIE)”

≪About current activities≫

I want as many people as possible to feel the fun of calligraphy

It has been 6 years since the “Japan Fudemoji Classroom” was established. Currently, we have expanded our classrooms to Kansai and Tokai, and we are pursuing the fun and possibilities of expression together with approximately 2000 students. As a performer, I have performed on stage in a total of 10 countries in Asia, Europe, and America. I have a strong fondness for Indonesia's “ENNICHISAI.” Since 2016, I've also been involved in management,Character design for each tool, starting with the logoI'm also in charge of it. The biggest Japanese event in Indonesia, with over 250,000 visitors over 2 days, is extremely lively every year. Also, it is being planned as a new experiment,An exhibition about renting out an old castle in Toulouse, FranceI try to work on large-scale work while imagining the smiles of each and every visitor without forgetting my original intentions. In Japan, in addition to classroom guidance, we receive various requests, such as creating logos and wall art for companies and restaurants, etc., but none of these projects are ad hoc relationships. Spreading word of mouth through SNS, introducing promising customers, etc.PR and art production that can also contribute to store salesWe are doing it.

≪Advice/Future Goals≫

Seize the next opportunity by continuing to challenge

I've always thought it would be foolish to judge everything once. There are many trends and bonds that can be deepened in each country that can be seen by exhibiting over and over again.Encounters with people who will help you continue your overseas activities for a long timeThere are also not a few. There are many benefits to exhibiting overseas, not only in terms of standing on stage, but also in the sense that relationships can be formed that expand new possibilities. Overseas activities are currently about 4 times a year, but from now on I would like to increase my activities so that I can go to some country at a monthly pace. Expand the scale even moreEventually I want to create calligraphy classes in countries around the world. As a first step, we are currently proceeding with plans to open classrooms in Indonesia.

≪Know-how for success≫

[Before exhibiting]
‍● Active as a street poet.
● Publish an art book.
● Performances at events all over Japan.
● Artist temporary staffing “Art Office Tomodachi” was established.
↓
[Support and ingenuity]
● We asked overseas friends in advance about what is selling in that country, trends, and how well Japan is known, etc., and reflected them in the performance.
● I learned about calligraphy and Japanese culture again, and put them together as simple materials and appealed to visitors.
● I was able to achieve the performance I had imagined, thanks to the staff's flexible response to ideas and sudden requests that came up on site.
★ Point ★
In addition to just standing on stage, I am always aware of getting to know the culture of that country and conveying the culture of one's own.
Smooth collaboration with the staff led to the creation of a better stage.
↓
[Results]
● As I exhibited repeatedly over the years, opportunities to perform on stage increased, and I was able to perform fulfilling activities as a performer.
● Overseas performance experience worked effectively as PR for subsequent domestic activities, leading to new projects.
● Their activities overseas were recognized, and the range of activities was further expanded due to calls from events in countries they had not been to yet.
★ Point ★
The overseas experience itself became an opportunity for people to be recognized and evaluated, leading to the development of domestic and international activities thereafter.
↓
[After that]
● We produce logos and wall art for domestic companies and restaurants.
● Classrooms have been established in Kansai/Tokai, and the number of students is currently around 2000. We plan to expand overseas in the future.
● An exhibition was held in June 2019 at an old castle in Toulouse, France.
★ Point ★
In addition to vigorous domestic activities, movements for further overseas expansion are continuing.

Thank you very much, Mr. Fukushi, for sharing this valuable story!
In vol.8 that follows, the calligrapher'sMiho-samaI would like to ask in detail about the secret to replacing overseas experiences with new creative energy and the reactions of audiences in various countries.

◎ Interviewee: Fukushi Shiya Taro

[Events you exhibited at]
Japan Expo Paris “WABI SABI” (2016 · 2018)
HYPER JAPAN “Miyabi” (2015/2017)
Bangkok Japan Expo “Banquet UTAGE” (2017)
MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON FESTIVAL (2016)

●Fukushiya Taro Official Site＞＞＞https://www.fukushika-taro-shop.jp/
●Fukushiya Taro Facebook＞＞＞https://www.facebook.com/fukushikataro

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