Art and politics can make strange bedfellows at either public or private art institutions. The test for both is allowing artists' work to speak to controversial issues, regardless of funding sources. Two important exhibitions in Tokyo are currently spotlighting politically sensitive issues -- education and war -- and in the process are testing the reputation of the respective museums. more...

The city of Kawagoe, an hour outside of Tokyo, boasts one of Japan's first fireproof business districts. After numerous conflagrations burned down its bustling merchant storehouse zone, Kawagoe built itself back up to withstand disaster. It is well worth the train ride to Kawagoe and its fascinating Kurazukuri Museum to find out just how they did that, and did it so beautifully. more...