Taki Corporation Signs First Cultural Exchange MOU with Overseas Partner Launches Joint Project Linking Vietnamese Lacquer Art and Wajima Lacquerware

Taki Corporation Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo Ward, Tokyo;Representative Director: Juichi Takizawa) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 7, 2026, with Hanoi Grapevine, an art and culture platform based in Hanoi, Vietnam, regarding cross-border cultural exchange between Japan and Vietnam through traditional lacquer art.

Hanoi Grapevine logo, Taki Corporation corporate logo

Based on this agreement, the company will officially launch the “Japan-Vietnam Lacquer Road Project,” which connects the traditional Vietnamese lacquer art “Son Mai” with “Wajima-nuri” from Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture.

This marks our company’s first formal MOU with an overseas partner and represents a new step in applying the expertise we have cultivated in advertising production to the cultural and social sectors.

[Project Background and Objectives]

Vietnamese lacquer art and Japan’s Wajima-nuri have each cultivated unique perspectives on materials, physical techniques, and aesthetic sensibilities within their respective historical and geographical contexts. At the same time, both face common challenges in the present day: the preservation of traditional practices and the exploration of new expressive possibilities.

Through a dialogue between these two lacquer cultures, this project aims for both parties to jointly conceive and implement concrete activities that contribute to the preservation of cultural diversity and the sustainable transmission of traditional knowledge.

The process and outcomes of this project will be shared with society in a manner open to artists, artisans, researchers, and citizens of both countries.

Japan-Vietnam Lacquer Road Project

[Outline of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)]

In this MOU, both parties have confirmed that they will cooperate with one another in the following areas:

・Exchanges between artisans and artists:

Mutual visits between Wajima-nuri artisans and Vietnamese lacquer artists; studio residencies; technique workshops; and dialogue sessions

・Collaborative Productions and Exhibitions:

Creation of collaborative works using materials and techniques from both regions; touring exhibitions in Hanoi and Japan; and related talks and public programs

・Academic and Research Cooperation:

Joint research on the transmission of traditional knowledge; presentations at the Japan Society for Design Science and other venues; co-authored academic papers

・Education and Human Resource Development:

Student programs in collaboration with universities and educational institutions; mentoring of young artists and artisans

・Archives and Publications:

Documentation of the creative process and dialogues; photographic and video records; development of books and digital archives

・Promoting Social Value:

Promoting the contemporary significance of traditional crafts; linking their revival with local culture (e.g., Wajima City); creating opportunities for dialogue among citizens of both cities

[Future Plans]

Under this MOU, we plan to implement the following programs starting in the fall of 2026.

*All dates and details are tentative and subject to change.

■Project A | Inviting Vietnamese Artists to Wajima (Scheduled for September 2026)

Three leading Vietnamese lacquer art artists and researchers will be invited to Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, to engage with Wajima-nuri workshops and artisans, participate in technique workshops, and take part in dialogue sessions.

Artists to be invited:

・Truong Hoang Hai (Lacquer art artist and researcher)

・Dinh Cong Dat (Sculptor and Lacquer Artist)

・Tran Thao Mien (textile/installation artist)

■Project B | Participation in a Festival in Hanoi (Scheduled for November 2026)

We plan to participate in The Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2026, a festival in the fields of creativity and design to be held in Hanoi, where we will present the results of our collaborative projects and conduct public programs.

[About Our Partner, Hanoi Grapevine]

Hanoi Grapevine is a non-profit arts organization based in Hanoi, Vietnam, that serves as a platform for disseminating information, curating content, and facilitating networking related to contemporary art and culture. For this project, Hanoi Grapevine will be responsible for overall planning and coordination on the Vietnamese side, collaboration with Hanoi’s lacquer art community, artists, and local universities, as well as the management of on-site exhibitions and events.

■Hanoi Grapevine Website

https://hanoigrapevine.com/

■From Ken Uchiyama, Executive Officer in Charge of Exploration Business Promotion, Corporate Strategy Office / Representative of IDEAL Company

This MOU marks our company’s first formal framework for cultural exchange with an overseas partner. We aim to apply the planning capabilities and design perspectives we have cultivated in the fields of advertising and communications to shape the future of traditional crafts and create social value.We hope that the dialogue between the lacquer cultures of Vietnam and Japan will serve as a “path” connecting craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities to the next generation.

■Company Overview

Company Name: Taki Corporation

Representative: Juichi Takizawa, President and CEO

Address: Tsukiji Hamarikyu Building, 5-3-3 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Business Activities: Planning and production of advertisements, promotional materials, and websites;

　　　　　 corporate and product branding, CI/VI, UI/UX development, and other

　　　　　 Planning, Design, and Production of General Communications

URL: https://www.taki.co.jp/