This will be the 11th ≪JIDA Design Museum Selection≫ organized by Japan Industrial Designer Association (JIDA). It would have not been possible for the association to continue this museum activity for so many years without all the supports and cooperations from all the parties concerned, and I am deeply greatful for them.
In present Japan, there aren't any genuine ≪design museums≫ seen in other foreign countries. In our coutry, we have a history producing many world-class industrial products, but on the other hand have a dissapointing reality of not collecting and preserving products with excellent designs.
It goes without saying that the act of preserving the progress and the development of modern and contemporary designs is extremely important when consider the future of industrial design and product design.
On the other hand, there exist 8 design groups domestically as of now, and have been individually working on their business and activities as public-service corporations. These 8 groups are Japan Display Design Association (DDA), Japan Graphic Designer Association (JAGDA), Japan Craft Design Association (JCDA), Japan Interior Designer Association (JID), Japan Industrial Designer Association (JIDA), Japan Jewellery Designer Association (JJDA), Japan Package Design Association (JPDA), and Japan Sign Design Association (SDA).
Since few years ago, these 8 groups have come together to form ≪The Council of The Design Association of Japan≫ (D-8), and are actively working on realizing ≪Japan Design Museum Concept≫ unprecedented in Japan.
The design museum that D-8 aims for is not just for collecting and preserving ≪things≫ of the past, but also to transmit the future designs and become a platform for encouraging the spread and the education regarding design. Furthermore, we strive for a new museum that works hand in hand with educational and research institutions. For the concept to become a reality in the near future, the design museum activities promoted by the association are starting to play a very important role. I humbly ask for your continuous support and cooperation in founding an internationally-recognized design museum in Japan.