Elucidating the characteristics of Japan’s interiors through the development and transformation in the late 20th century

In exploring the history of interior design in Japan, the styles of residential spaces and offices have not been studied as extensively as those of commercial facilities and public buildings. To fill this gap, a trio of Kansai-based researchers–Professor Emeritus Setsuko Katayama from Kyoto Women’s University, Professor Hitomi Yabe from Tezukayama University, and Dr Takayuki Nakamura, Head of the Living Space Research Laboratory–are working to bring together their diverse expertise in interior design, architectural history, and industry practice. Each scholar offers a distinct perspective: Yabe contributes as a former professional designer, Nakamura brings insight from the housing and furniture industries, and Katayama offers a historically grounded academic lens. Their research sheds light on how changes in lifestyle, technology, and industry since World War II have shaped Japanese interior design in homes and offices. Western influences, particularly American, grew significantly after the war, not only due to the presence of US troops but also through collaborations with Japanese professionals and the establishment of interior design firms by former US military officers. The urgent need for postwar housing led to the construction of concrete‐structured apartments with modern dining kitchens, which redefined everyday spatial habits. This period also saw the emergence of key movements: the Kanto (Tokyo‐centric) and Kansai (Osaka-centric) styles, and design collectives such as the Osaka based ‘Maison de Création’, which incorporated Bauhaus and other Western philosophies into Japanese interiors. By examining these historical developments through a multidisciplinary lens, the researchers, based in the Kansai region where many of Japan’s interior industry leaders have originated, aim to reconstruct a more comprehensive and human-centered narrative of Japan’s interior design history.