Ken Ishigami, producer at the Business Development Center B-OWND, will be speaking at the "Craft Symposium 2026: Crafts Transcend Borders - From Japan to the World, From Tradition to the Future" (organized by Development Bank of Japan, Japan Crafts Production Area Association, and Yomiuri Shimbun; in cooperation with the Japan Economic Research Institute and Nippon Television AX-ON), which will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the Yomiuri Otemachi Hall Grand Hall. His talk session will be titled "Business Development Headquarters the Answers to 'Crafts' x 'World X'."
We look forward to seeing you there.
Symposium Overview
| Name | Craft Symposium 2026: Crafts Transcend Borders – From Japan to the World, From Tradition to the Future |
|---|---|
| Session | Wednesday, April 22, 2026 13:00-16:15 |
| Venue | Yomiuri Otemachi Hall, Main Hall |
| How to participate | You must apply (free of charge) via the application page. https://yab-lp.yomiuri.co.jp/kougei2026/?hs_preview=JvwpcyDN-207946701426 (On-site participation only; 350 people will be selected by lottery) Application deadline: Monday, April 13, 2026, 23:59 |
| Organizer | Development Bank of Japan / Japan Association of Crafts and Production Areas / Yomiuri Shimbun |
| Cooperation | Japan Economic Research Institute / Nippon Television Axon |
| Theme and Overview |
Crafts transcend borders: From Japan to the world, from tradition to the future. Since the Meiji era, Japanese crafts have undergone significant changes in response to the global market. |
Our Participants
Ken Ishigami
Business Development Headquarters Business Development Division, B-OWND Producer/Curator
Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1992. Raised by a painter father and an art dealer mother, he has been involved in selling art since high school. In 2019, he launched "B-OWND," an art and craft x blockchain platform, where he conceives strategies and plans as a producer and implements activities to enhance the added value of crafts both domestically and internationally. In 2024, he was selected as one of Forbes Japan's 30 cultural entrepreneurs who are changing the world.
Please note that this may be subject to change without prior notice.