The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly affected all working people. It has precipitated a crisis in artists’ creative activities and lives due to lockdowns and Covid-19 protocols. The livelihood of artists has become fragile, especially in the face of poor public support. Most are now temporary workers, without any labor security. Artists and research groups in Japan have issued an appeal to save the arts and culture as is being done through western countries’ policies. Research has highlighted cultural policies abroad. However, few studies have discussed this in terms of concrete arts and culture policies and programs. This study discusses issues of cultural policy history in Japan while comparing it to that of the U.S. Through an examination of the available policy data and documents, the study explores the potential issues of Japanese cultural policy prioritizing classical artistic values without considering sustainability of artists’ labor.