yoshihiro watanabe ARTICLE | THE JAPAN TIMES

In early 2024 Nishinippon Shimbun wrote an article for The Japan Times about Japanese artist Yoshihiro Watanabe, his work, and how the work of disabled artists is viewed in Japan. They talk about how the work of disabled artists is often seen as indifferent, and that stereotypical messages appear such as "all expressions by people with disabilities are wonderful," "no criticism is allowed" or "no evaluation should be made.” But they said change is slowly beginning in Japan, and curators are more aware that an art education doesn’t necessarily make the works better.

“During the "Go For Kogei" craft exhibition in the city of Toyama that ran from September to October, Watanabe exhibited 200 pieces of his animal crafts. At the exhibition, there was no mention of his disability in the introduction of his work.

Many of the artists at the exhibition had received art education. Watanabe’s mother said her son’s works were displayed on an equal footing with those by other distinguished artists. “I even asked, ‘Is it alright?,'” she said, rejoicing in his success while feeling a changing atmosphere in society.”