Japan Connects Art and Technology Through Cultural Diplomacy
When Art Meets Technology at the Embassey of Japan
September 28th, 2026
On 10 September, the Embassy of Japan in Austria hosted “JAPAN CONNECT” in Linz on the occasion of the 2026 Ars Electronica Festival. The reception brought together Japanese artists, companies and representatives of cultural and educational institutions taking part in the festival, alongside Ars Electronica representatives. The event created a space for exchange between Japanese and Austrian participants working at the intersection of art, science and technology.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Iwama highlighted Ars Electronica's ability to connect art, science, technology and society, describing the festival as a place where creativity can encourage free and open dialogue. He also pointed to the long-standing participation of Japanese artists, who have used the festival to present both Japanese traditions and contemporary creativity to an international audience.
The scale of the festival underlines its international reach. Held from 9 to 13 September across 40 exhibition venues, Ars Electronica welcomed 125,000 visitors and brought together more than 1,200 artists, scientists and activists from 77 countries. For Japan, participation in such an international platform offers an opportunity to present the country not only through its cultural heritage, but also through its engagement with contemporary artistic and technological innovation.
The “JAPAN CONNECT” reception therefore illustrates a contemporary form of cultural diplomacy. Rather than focusing solely on traditional cultural representation, the Embassy used art and technology as a way to create professional relationships, exchange ideas and encourage dialogue between different cultural and creative communities. The event brought together established participants and younger generations, providing opportunities to share experiences and develop new connections.
Ambassador Iwama also linked this cooperation to the future of Japan-Austria relations, expressing the hope that exchanges in art and technology would contribute to strengthening bilateral ties ahead of the 160th anniversary of friendship between Japan and Austria in 2029. In this sense, JAPAN CONNECT shows how cultural diplomacy can extend beyond traditional arts: innovation, creativity and technology can also become platforms through which countries build mutual understanding and deepen international partnerships.
References:
- https://www.at.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_de/12_taishi20260910.html
- https://ars.electronica.art/mediaservice/en/2026/09/14/festivalbilanz-2026/
