Designers in Japan can only get the plaudits they deserve in their home country by first seeking success abroad, according to participants at design festival Designart Tokyo.
Furniture designer Hitoshi Makino is among those that believe Japanese designers must work elsewhere before they can win respect at home.
"If somebody gets success outside Japan, [people] respect that person. If someone only works in Japan, nobody respects them, which is really sad," he said. "So many creators have to go away to show their work outside Japan."
Makino worked for Piero Lissoni in Milan for 10 years, before returning to set up his studio in Tokyo. He says the culture is very different in Italy, where designers don't have to fight for recognition from brands. Designers have to maintain a profile abroad
The designer told Dezeen that he plans to continue collaborating on projects overseas and working with designers outside Japan, partly because he understands that he has to in order to maintain his profile.
"I went to Milan and saw how real designers work. I understood that designers should be like this, and could do that," he explained. "If Japanese furniture makers would change to respect designers, it would be great."
Designart Tokyo took place from 19 to 28 October in the Japanese capital
Makino was among participants at this year's Designart Tokyo, which took place from 19 to 28 October in shops, showrooms and event spaces across the west of ...