Japan’s cultural policy now stands at a crossroads. Looking back, local cultural administration first gained traction in the 1980s as public cultural centers began appearing in many localities. Businesses also began actively sponsoring cultural events for advertising and promotional purposes, as well as opening many private museums, theaters and concert halls. In the late 1980s, the concept of mecénat (philanthropy) arrived in Japan, introducing the idea of private sector support for arts and culture. At the same time, it also revealed how far Japan lagged behind other major countries in cultural policy.