'Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London', postponed

The opening of 'Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London' at the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo will be postponed as a result of the Japanese Government's advice to close its national museums as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Originally issued 27 February 2020. Updated 13 March 2020

The Japanese Government has requested an extension to the cancellation, postponement or downsizing of national-level sporting and cultural events where many people would gather.

This is a precautionary measure in order to contain the spread of coronavirus.

The National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo will remain closed for the time being, in response to this request.

As a result of this closure, the opening of the exhibition ''Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London' – which was due to open on 3 March at the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo – has been further postponed.

We are consulting closely with our partners, the National Museum of Western Art and The Yomiuri Shimbun, and we hope that the exhibition will be able to open as soon as possible. However, everything is dependent on Government advice in this rapidly changing situation.

The Yomiuri Shimbun, the National Museum of Western Art and the National Gallery are all very disappointed about this delay, but we understand and fully agree with the reasons for it.

We look forward to providing visitors in Japan with the opportunity to experience the quality and breadth of the National Gallery’s Collection on display in 'Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London' as soon as we possibly can.