The Japan Foundation Travelling Exhibition “TOKYO Before / After” is coming to Malaysia this month from 11 January to 23 February 2025 at Level 6, GMBB, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

Organised by The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur and co-organised by Embassy of Japan in Malaysia and GMBB, this photography exhibition called “TOKYO Before/After” features a selection of approximately 80 works, in which works by photographers who had captured images of Tokyo in the 1930-40s are presented in juxtaposition with those taken after 2010.

The 1930-40s prior to World War II had been times in which the current framework of Tokyo had begun to take form, and photographers had effectively utilized highly developing means of photographic expression to establish vibrant images of urban space where tradition and modernity contended with one another.

The 1930-40s prior to World War II had been times in which the current framework of Tokyo had begun to take form, and photographers had effectively utilized highly developing means of photographic expression to establish vibrant images of urban space where tradition and modernity contended with one another.

Photographs from the post-2010s depict Tokyo as it navigates the challenges and transformations of a new era. In the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the city underwent profound changes, embracing resilience and reinvention. Contemporary photographers emphasize their unique perspectives, utilizing the innovative possibilities of digital technology to portray a city adapting to rapid societal shifts.

Through comparing photographs for these two distinct periods, the past, present, and future image of Tokyo comes to clearly emerge and reveal itself.

As global interest in Tokyo remains strong, this exhibition invites viewers to explore Japan’s capital as a city of complexity and transformation. The showcased works by Japanese photographers create a compelling visual dialogue, reflecting Tokyo’s resilience, diversity, and unyielding spirit.