Anant National University is hosting The Japan Foundation Travelling Exhibition titled ‘Built Environment: An Alternative Guide to Japan’ in its campus. The unique exhibition that highlights how the Japanese have engaged and struggled with the natural environment and eventually succeeded in becoming a community that supports modernization without destroying the natural environment, was inaugurated today by chief guest, Mr Yukio Uchida, Japan Foundation and Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha, Provost of Anant National University; it will be open to public from January 24 to February 4, 2019. The exhibition features 80 exemplars of buildings, civil engineering works and landscapes in isolation from all prefectures of Japan, also introducing the unique perspective of built environments through thought-provoking information, stunning photographs, and spellbinding videos.

The Japan Foundation conducts the ‘Travelling Exhibitions Programme’ to introduce Japanese arts and culture globally. ‘Built Environment: An Alternative Guide to Japan’ is one such exhibition that particularly presents a rarely considered aspect of Japan, taking into consideration the built environment of the various regions of the geographically diverse country that is often struck by natural disasters. It throws light on how the Japanese have engaged and struggled with the natural environment and how they have embraced sustainable development as a way of living. To showcase the diverse nature of Japan, at least one site from each of Japan's 47 prefectures focusing on different cities and regions has been selected. The exhibition promises to be a truly alternative guide to Japan.

Japan was the first Asian country to undergo modernization in the late 19th century. This led to rapid growth and guaranteed Japan a place among the world’s advanced nations, but it also created pollution and other crises. Today, Japan has overcome most of these hurdles and now focuses on reconstructing ecological environments.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Pramath Raj Sinha, Provost of Anant National University said, “To prepare for global challenges, we need solutionaries characterised as revolutionaries who generate inventive solutions. Japan has set an example for the world to follow by finding environment-friendly solutions to most challenges faced by the earth today. They have embraced a sustainable way of living. We are proud to be hosting this unique exhibition at Anant University.”