FY2024 "Cultural Administration Survey Research" Survey Research on Numerical Evaluation of Economic and Social Impact of Culture and Arts [Overview]

This summarizes the FY2024 cultural administration survey research conducted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs regarding development of methods for numerically evaluating the economic and social impact of culture and arts, and survey results related to Japan's cultural GDP estimation.

Background and Development of Estimation

This survey research has developed in stages since FY2017. It began with estimation feasibility studies (experimental surveys) and participation in UIS TAG meetings in FY2017, followed by estimation based on UNESCO guidelines in FY2018, and coordination with UNESCO and detailed case studies of foreign countries in FY2019. The creation period for cultural GDP estimation began from FY2020-2021, with estimation for 2016-2018 (3 years) in FY2020 and 2015-2019 (5 years) in FY2021. From FY2022 onward, the maintenance and utilization period continues with annual cultural GDP estimation for 2019 and 2020, and trial estimation of Japan-specific domains.

Scope of Cultural GDP Estimation

Cultural GDP estimation targets are set referring to guidelines presented by UNESCO. Six core cultural areas are defined: A: Cultural Heritage/Natural Heritage, B: Performance/Celebration, C: Visual Arts/Crafts, D: Writing/Publishing/Media, E: Audio-Visual/Interactive Media, F: Design/Creative Services. Related areas include G: Tourism, H: Sports/Recreation.

Specifically, targets include museums, archaeological sites and historic sites, cultural landscapes, performing arts, music, festivals, fine arts, photography, crafts, writing/publishing/newspapers/magazines, libraries, films/videos, TV/radio, internet live streaming, video games, fashion design, graphic design, interior design, architectural services, charter travel/tourism services, sports/fitness/health services, etc.

Detailed Estimation Methods

Cultural GDP estimation uses a three-stage approach. Stage 1 sets estimation targets referring to guidelines (commodity and industry classifications created by the UN) presented by UNESCO. Stage 2 reorganizes industry classifications and estimates cultural product production values, organizing correspondence between UNESCO guideline cultural areas and existing Japanese economic statistics industry classifications, and estimating cultural product production values using existing Japanese economic statistics.

Stage 3 implements added value estimation, calculating added value using input-output tables. Specifically, added value (cultural GDP) is calculated by multiplying domestic production values extracted from industrial statistics by added value rates extracted from input-output tables. For non-profit public service sectors such as museums, the input method is adopted, treating service implementation entity (museum, etc.) business expenses as total production, with facility operation costs as intermediate inputs and other expenditures (personnel costs, etc.) as cultural GDP.

FY2024 Estimation Considerations

FY2024 estimation used the "2020 Input-Output Table (hereinafter, 2020 Input-Output Table)" published in the same year. Previously, the "2015 Input-Output Table (hereinafter, 2015 Input-Output Table)" was used, but the 2020 Input-Output Table had "content changes, divisions, and consolidations" in seven industrial sectors compared to the 2015 version.

A particularly important change was the content modification to newly include entertainment work originals in production. From this year onward, estimation will be based on the 2020 Input-Output Table, but since the 2020 and 2015 Input-Output Tables have different frameworks, simple tracking of year-on-year changes cannot be done for 2019 and 2020 estimation results. Therefore, 2020 estimation values in FY2024 estimation based on "2015 Input-Output Table standards" are also listed as reference values.

Scale and Composition of Japan's Cultural GDP

According to 2020 cultural GDP estimation results, A: Cultural Heritage/Natural Heritage amounts to 217.1 billion yen, and B: Performance/Celebration amounts to 648.9 billion yen. Through this survey, specific impacts of Japan's culture and arts field on the economy have been clearly indicated numerically, establishing data that can be utilized as evidence for policy formulation and cultural promotion measures.

The article concludes that methods for objectively measuring the economic value of culture and arts have been established, and foundations for verifying and improving the effectiveness of Japan's cultural policies through continuous monitoring have been constructed.