Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi launched a private advisory panel of experts Tuesday to discuss "cultural diplomacy," asking it to explore ways to help nurture Japanese cultural influence overseas and thereby aid government diplomacy.
The 17-member panel will also discuss broad topics concerning international exchanges and cooperation at grassroots levels to develop friendly relations with other countries, officials said.
"Talking about diplomacy, security and economic cooperation often comes first. But the potential of cultural power is great," Koizumi told reporters after the panel's first meeting.
The panel members include architect Tadao Ando, Hosei University professor Wang Min, painter Ikuo Hirayama and University of Tokyo professor Masayuki Yamauchi, an expert on Islamic history.
The panel is expected to hold about five sessions by the end of March and compile a report.