UNHCR Japan Launches Educational Workshop Based on Takashi Homma's Refugee-Focused Photography Project

The UNHCR Representation in Japan has launched an educational workshop featuring the works of photographer Takashi Homma, titled 'SONGS: Refugee Voices Through Things.'

This workshop was newly developed based on the exhibition presented at the Setouchi Triennale 2025, a joint initiative by the Setouchi Triennale Executive Committee and UNHCR Japan.

'SONGS' features works by Takashi Homma, who visited refugees and internally displaced people in Japan, Bangladesh, and Colombia. He captured their portraits and the 'precious things' they never let go of—objects that embody their connection to their homelands despite their life in displacement. The work was exhibited in a special gallery at Takamatsu Port during the festival and was also released as a tabloid magazine.

In the workshop, participants engage with Homma’s work, articulating their thoughts and feelings in their own words.

There are three main steps in the experience: First, participants view the artworks, write down their reflections, and imagine the backgrounds and intentions of the owners based on the 'precious things' shown in the photos. Second, they learn about the individuals' actual stories through narration and the tabloid materials. Finally, they verbalize and share their thoughts on refugee issues.

Designed for schools, municipalities, libraries, and cultural facilities, the materials include guidelines and worksheets that allow anyone to conduct the workshop.

Takashi Homma, creator of the underlying work, contributed the message, 'Let's think about this together.'

Actor Takumi Saitoh provided the narration for the workshop. Through his voice, participants encounter the stories of individual refugees, stepping into the world of the artwork to reflect on the memories and experiences these individuals have cherished.

Takumi Saitoh's comment: 'Voicing the words written by refugees through their photos was not just about providing audio information; it was a raw sensation, as if the time that truly existed there was reaching me. I pay respect to the UNHCR staff and Takashi Homma for their work in 'shining a light on realities that are hard to see.' I would be honored if my steady efforts with my mobile cinema project helped lead to this connection. I hope this project serves as a starting point to learn about the reality of the 'refugee problem.''

We encourage you to use this workshop as an entry point to imagine the lives and experiences of individual refugees.