2013 was a year in which worldwide interest in Japanese culture grew as UNESCO designated Mount Fuji as a World Heritage site and added washoku (Japanese cuisine) to its World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. When considering a nation’s “national power,” soft power, which includes things like cultural influence, is incredibly important. Boosting a nation’s cultural influence not only enriches the lives of individuals, but also benefits the country politically. We want the appeal of Japan’s traditional culture to be broadened and Japan to be turned into a cultural superpower.