Leonardo da Vinci's "La Belle Ferronnière" to debut in Japan at Louvre Renaissance exhibition; Kieko Kitagawa named ambassador

This exhibition brings one of the world's rarest Renaissance treasures—one of only ~15 authenticated Leonardo works—to Japan for the first time in over five decades, offering unprecedented access to masterpieces that shape global artistic heritage. For Japanese audiences, it demonstrates continued international cultural cooperation despite geopolitical challenges and provides a tangible economic and soft-power opportunity for museums and cultural institutions. The involvement of a prominent Japanese actress as ambassador amplifies reach beyond traditional art circles, making this a culturally and diplomatically significant event.