The Japanese artist Takashi Murakami is one of the most visible and influential artists working today. Murakami's impact on Japanese culture rivals Andy Warhol's, and he has disseminated and promoted pop art strategies in ways that people do not expect. Incorporating traditional Japanese painting with Western influences, which is often considered in opposition to one another.

Also a curator, Murakami is a critical observer of Japanese art. He founded the "superflat" movement in 2000, a post-modern style influenced by Japanese manga, graphic design, and traditional Japanese prints. Throughout his career, Murakami has blurred the lines between fine art and popular culture.