Dr. Les Joynes (project advisor) is an artist and curator based in New York. He is recipient of the Japan Monbusho Award, Fulbright-Nehru Professional and Academic Excellence Award and in 2022 was Senior Scholar at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in New Delhi.

Jake Price is a filmmaker, photographer and educator. His immersive web documentary, “Unknown Spring,” set in Tohoku was awarded by the World Press Photo Foundation, and his documentary set in Fukushima “The Invisible Season” premiered at the New York Film Festival. He contributes to National Geographic, The New Yorker, the BBC, and The New York Times. He is an adjunct professor of visual narratives at Columbia University.

Aaron Lee Fineman was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News and was part of a team that contributed to The New York Times winning a Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for the coverage following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He has also contributed to publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post Magazine, TIME, and Newsweek, among others.

Jonathan Goodman has long written about the art scene of New York. His primary area of expertise lies in East Asian art, with a notable emphasis on fostering collaborations and deep engagements with Japanese artists. His published appear in XIBT Magazine, frontera digital, Brooklyn Rail, and others.

Yusuke Wakata (JAPAN CONTEMPORARIES title design) is a Tokyo-based designer and artist. He earned his master’s degree from Tokyo University of Arts before joining Hakuhodo ad agency. In 2021, he launched the Creative Lab CORNER. He’s had solo show at WhiteBox NY and received the Grand Prizes from TOKYO MIDTOWN, Good Design Award and ACC. 

Shuto Isobe was the first intern for Japan Contemporaries. After returning to Japan he resumed his studies at Tokyo University of Science and is currently studying mechanical engineering, focusing on nanotechnology. Upon his return, he visited the Noto Peninsula for this update and also volunteered to assist those affected by the disasters.

Masa Hosojima, is a writer, trained in music composition, is an artist exploring, composing, making objects, curating, and conducting interviews about visual and auditory culture and aesthetic practices. He has published a catalog of his curated exhibition, “Women On Making.” and translated “Visas of Life and Epic Journey” by Akira Kitade on Jewish refugees saved by Chiune Sugihara during World War II.

Joseph Ralph Fraia contributes to Livein Magazine and LMF Press, and his book ‘Life is a Treasure Hunt’ carries his unique insights. He finds artistic inspiration as a resident artist at Salmagundi Club NYC.