Craft x Tech Merges Japanese Artisanal Craft with Global Contemporary Design

Craft x Tech, established by Hideki Yoshimoto and curated by Maria Cristina Didero, aims to unite global designers with Japanese craftsmen to produce modern creations through traditional methods. The initiative commenced in 2023 within the Tohoku region, featuring talents like Sabine Marcelis, Azusa Murakami, Alexander Groves (Studio SWINE), Ini Archibong, Yoichi Ochiai, and Michael Young. The second edition unfolded in the Tokai region in 2026, showcasing designers including Bethan Laura Wood, Philippe Malouin, and Lanzavecchia + Wai. Yoshimoto, who studied in London and directs the TANGENT studio, drew inspiration from a lacquerware workshop in Akita. Didero highlights that design focuses on people and processes rather than merely objects. The project aspires to encompass all eight regions and forty-seven prefectures of Japan, backed by Lexus International, Culture Vision Japan Foundation Inc, and grants from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, encouraging artisans and designers to transcend aesthetic limits.