Lighting Detectives Activities / Achievements in 2025 and Prospects for 2026
Kaoru MendeLighting Designer
He was born in Tokyo in 1950, earned a bachelor and master degree from Tokyo University of the Arts in the field of industrial and environmental design. In 1990, he founded Lighting Planners Associates Inc. The scope of his design and planning activities ranges widely from residential and architectural lighting design to urban and environmental lighting.
The awards He has received include the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) International Illuminating Design Award of Distinction, Illuminating Engineering Institute of Japan (IEIJ) Japan Lighting Award, Japan Culture Design Award, Mainichi Design Award, and others.
He is a visiting professor of lighting design at Musashino Art University and a part-time lecturer at Tokyo University, Tokyo University of Art, and other institutions.
He is a member of the following associations, Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ), Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES), International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), and Japan Design Committee (JDC).
Books He has authored include, “Light, Light / Do you enjoy lighting?” (Tokyo Shoseki), “A Manner in Architectural Lighting Design” (TOTO Publishing), “Transnational Lighting Detectives” (Kajima Publishing), “LIGHTING DESIGN for Urban Environments and Architecture” (Rikuyosya), “Designing with Shadow” (Rikuyosya), “LPA 1990-2015, Tide of Architectural Lighting Design” (Rikuyosha), and many other.
The year 2025 is coming to an end in the blink of an eye. It feels as though we just welcomed the New Year, yet another one is only a month away. It has now been 35 years since the activities of the Lighting Detectives began.
In 2025, in addition to lighting environment surveys conducted both in Japan and abroad, we were invited to places such as the Tohoku region and Guangzhou in China, where we actively traveled to bring our “Lighting Detectives on the Road” initiatives. Expectations for the Lighting Detectives show no signs of fading, and we intend to continue moving about actively within our capacity.
The “Kaoru Mende / Lighting Design Juku” marked its fourth year, once again receiving far more student applications than the enrollment limit. Motivated students from all over Japan participated. This year, with the cooperation of our sponsoring companies, we also visited showrooms and provided foundational education. Although this private school exists to expand students’ curiosity and expectations toward lighting design, I feel that its value is gradually being recognized and that it is steadily fulfilling its role.
In 2026, we plan to carry out the following six types of Lighting Detectives activities:
1. City Walks and Salons
City walks and salons are the core activities of the Lighting Detectives. We plan to expand beyond Tokyo and conduct city walks throughout Japan. We will also make use of online salon presentations, so even those with busy schedules are encouraged to join us. You are most welcome.
2. Lighting Surveys in Japan and Abroad / Traveling Detectives
Next year as well, we will conduct lighting surveys both domestically and internationally, continuing to accumulate data. We intend to build connections not only with major cities but also with regional cities around the world, sharing the methods and spirit of the Lighting Detectives.
3. Workshops for Children
Experiences in darkness, hearth-light workshops, making andon lanterns, city walks led by Lighting Detectives Junior, light-up ninja experiments, and more. What kind of program will 2026 bring? We are looking forward to your active ideas and proposals.
4. Use of the Website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.
Due to strong encouragement from the office, I—who had mostly ignored such things—have found myself updating my Instagram account “Achi-kochi Mende” every week.
We will also continue to livestream Lounge Talks involving the Lighting Detectives on YouTube.
5. “Kaoru Mende / Lighting Design Juku”
In 2026, during the three days including Respect for the Aged Day (September 19 (Sat)–21 (Mon, national holiday)), we plan to hold the fifth student workshop. We will recruit 20 students from across Japan and nurture the fresh passion of those interested in lighting design. With the cooperation of our supporting companies, we also hope to develop new programs. We kindly ask for your continued support.
December 2025
Chief of the Lighting Detectives
Kaoru Mende