Past Projects

Project Overview

With the aim of encouraging domestic film production on an international level, and to strengthen Japanese film promotions overseas, the “ACA Cinema Project” will organize several events including special screenings of Japanese film series in New York, and curational matching events in Berlin. In collaboration with local industry professionals and educational institutions, the project will also conduct a short-term workshop in New York to expand the network for Japanese filmmakers in the United States and improve domestic film production qualities.

Project Content

■Japanese Film Series at Japan Society
The Japanese Film Series at Japan Society will be showing current and classic Japanese films from 2000 to 2020, including some New York premieres. The series aim to ignite new perspectives from Japanese films and widen the range of audiences in New York. Simultaneously, symposiums with related themes will be held, creating opportunities for filmmakers from each country to mingle, and encourage more Japanese film studies in the United States.

■Script Development Workshop
A short-term Script Development Workshop will be held in New York targeting young Japanese filmmakers. The workshop aims to educate and support the activities of ambitious Japanese filmmakers who’d like to build their career overseas. *Due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, a short-term Script Development Workshop will be held online this time.

■Measures to Strengthen the Promotion of Japanese Films in Overseas Film Festivals and Markets
A curational matching event will be held at the Berlinale European Film Market (EFM) to trigger a cycle of Japanese film screenings at overseas film festivals and cinematheques.

■Theatrical Screenings in New York
The ACA Cinema Project will reach its destination by constructing a scheme to screen current Japanese films in New York’s art house theaters, stimulating Japanese film companies to show more films overseas.

Project Overview

The ACA Cinema Project is an initiative to screen Japanese films in countries with a highly developed cinema culture in North America. By providing human resource exchanges such as organizing international and diverse workshops, etc., it creates and promotes opportunities for new creative activities as well as increasing film talent and improving the appeal and diversity of Japanese films.

Project Content

■Japanese Film Series at Japan Society
The Japanese Film Series at Japan Society will be showing current and classic Japanese films　including some New York premieres. The series aim to create opportunities to view Japanese films from new perspectives and broaden the range of audiences in New York. Simultaneously, symposiums with related themes will be held, creating opportunities for filmmakers from each country to mingle, and encouraging more Japanese film studies in the United States.
*Due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, it will be held mainly online this time.

■Script Development Workshop
A short-term script development workshop will be held in New York targeting young Japanese filmmakers. The workshop aims to educate and support the activities of ambitious Japanese filmmakers who’d like to build their career overseas.
*Due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, the script development workshop will be held online this time.

■Measures to Strengthen the Promotion of Japanese Films in Overseas Film Festivals and Markets
Creating catalogues for Japanese films that will be screen in overseas and doing a survey will be done to trigger a cycle of Japanese film screenings at overseas film festivals and cinematheques.
*Due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, it will be executed only online this time.

■Theatrical Screenings in New York
The ACA Cinema Project will reach its destination by screening Japanese films in New York’s art-house theaters, stimulating Japanese film companies to show more films overseas.

This project will support the efforts of cultural arts organizations that have been forced to curtail their activities due to the COVID‐19 pandemic to strengthen the sustainability of their activities and encourage innovation in cultural arts activities during the “new normal” while actively holding performances after carrying out sufficient COVID countermeasures and getting a wide range of stakeholders the promotion of their activities.

We mainly provide research services targeting foreigners such as surveys related to the content industries as well as other types of questionnaires.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan organizes participation in various overseas media arts festivals etc. The aim is to introduce outstanding works in such fields as media art, video, the websites, videogames, animation and comics. Exhibitions, screenings, presentations and so on are arranged at overseas media arts festivals and other facilities with their focus on award-winning works from the Japan Media Arts Festival.

Works Presented Abroad

The project for participation in overseas media arts festivals commenced in 2009, and was implemented at 83 festivals and media arts-related facilities and institutions in 31 countries around the globe up through 2017. Japan Media Arts Festival overseas exhibitions were also held at 14 festivals in 14 countries throughout 2018.

Japan Media Arts Festival

The Japan Media Arts Festival is a comprehensive festival of Media Arts (Media Geijutsu in Japanese) that honors outstanding works from a diverse range of media – from animation and comics to media art and games. The festival gives awards in each of its four divisions: Art, Entertainment, Animation, and Manga. It also provides a platform for appreciation of the award-winning and other notable works. Since its inception in 1997, the festival has recognized significant works of high artistry and creativity, and in addition to a yearly Exhibition of Award-Winning Works, has held other events, such as symposiums, screenings, and showcases.

The 22nd Festival received 4,384 entries from 102 countries and regions around the world, demonstrating continuing evolution as an established annual international festival. Award-Winning Works are exhibited both within Japan and abroad through various projects and events organized by The Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan which aims to develop and promote the creation of Media Arts by focusing primarily on the new generation of artists. The festival aims to look further into the next generation.

Organizer: Japan Media Arts Festival Executive Committee

With the aim of showing Japan’s high level of contemporary art and entertainments, award-winning works of Media Art, Animation, Games, and Manga from the Japan Media Arts Festival are exhibited and showed at international festivals.

Official website: https://jmaf-promote.jp/global/en/

The purpose of this project is to make use of the J-LOD subsidy (approx. 3 billion yen), based on METI’s budget for FY2018, and via the following guidelines:
1) Support businesses carrying out localization and promotion when expanding content, etc., overseas,
2) Support businesses producing prototype videos, etc., as plans and development for content with the aim of overseas expansion,
3) Support businesses developing highly advanced content, etc., using digital technology,
promote the overseas expansion of Japanese content, magnify that overseas expansion within related industries through the creation of a Japan boom, and promote foreign tourism into Japan, all with the goal of creating a sustainable ecosystem for the content industry. Adhering to 1), 2), and 3), the purpose of this subsidy is to provide a portion of the required expenses, reducing the monetary burden of a project.

1) Support businesses carrying out localization and promotion when expanding content, etc., overseas.
The application period began on February 18, 2019. Businesses focusing on content or carrying out the localization and promotion of content may make effective use of this with regard to overseas expansion.

2) Support businesses producing prototype videos, etc., as plans and development for content with the aim of overseas expansion.
The application period began on March 15, 2019. Businesses creating prototype videos, etc., as plans and development for content with the aim of overseas expansion.

3) Support businesses developing highly advanced content, etc., using digital technology.

< 1 >　Subsidies for the creation of highly advanced content using digital technology that will be spread throughout the world (application period began on April 10, 2019).
To reduce the monetary burden on companies and organizations creating highly advanced content using digital technology that will be made public and spread throughout the world, we will subsidize a portion of the expenses required for them to carry out a particular project.
< 2 > -1　Support for the development and demonstration of content distribution systems using blockchain technology (application period began on April 18, 2019).
To reduce the monetary burden on companies and organizations developing content distribution systems using blockchain technology, we will subsidize a portion of the expenses required for them to carry out a particular project.
< 2 > -2　Support for the development and demonstration of systems that contribute to productivity improvements related to content creation (application period began April 23, 2019).
To reduce the monetary burden on companies and organizations developing systems that improve productivity and efficiency related to content creation using digital technology, we will subsidize a portion of the expenses required for them to carry out a particular project.

The purpose of this project is to promote the expansion of Japanese content abroad, boost the overseas expansion of related industries through the generation of interest in Japan, and attract inbound visitors, along with creating an ecosystem in which the content industry can have continuous growth.

1) Support for businesses that localize and promote content for overseas
A portion of the necessary expenses related to localizing and promoting content used entirely or partially for overseas audiences will be subsidized for companies or organizations that engage in these activities to reduce their cost burden.

2) Support fundraising initiatives and human resource development to create content for overseas
A portion of the necessary expenses related to planning and developing pilot videos to raise funds for full-scale production of content for overseas will be subsidized for companies or organizations that engage in these activities to reduce their cost burden.

3) Support for projects that develop, create or distribute highly innovative content
A portion of the necessary expenses related to developing, creating, announcing, or globally distributing highly innovative content that utilize digital technology will be subsidized for companies or organizations that engage in these activities to reduce their cost burden.

4) Support for projects that develop systems to improve the productivity of the content supply chain
A portion of the necessary expenses related to developing systems that improve the productivity of the content supply chain will be subsidized for companies or organizations that engage in these activities to reduce their cost burden.

5) Support for projects that create and promote story-based videos for digital distribution
A portion of the necessary expenses related to creating and promoting story-based videos for digital distribution will be subsidized for companies or organizations that engage in these activities to reduce their cost burden.

The purpose of this project is to promote the expansion of Japanese content abroad, boost the overseas expansion of related industries through the generation of interest in Japan, and attract inbound visitors, along with creating an ecosystem in which the content industry can have continuous growth.

1) Support for businesses that localize and promote content for overseas
A portion of the necessary expenses related to localizing and promoting content used entirely or partially for overseas audiences will be subsidized for companies or organizations that engage in these activities to reduce their cost burden.

2) Support fundraising initiatives and human resource development to create content for overseas
A portion of the necessary expenses related to planning and developing pilot videos to raise funds for full-scale production of content for overseas will be subsidized for companies or organizations that engage in these activities to reduce their cost burden.

3) Support for projects to diversify and strengthen earnings from performances using advanced technologies
In order to reduce their cost burden associated with projects that promote Japanese content through the implementation of domestic performances of music, theater, etc., and the digital distribution of videos of these performances to overseas audiences, which are designed to diversify and strengthen earnings, the program will subsidize part of the necessary expenses for companies and organizations that take initiatives in implementing these projects.

4) Support for projects that develop systems to improve the productivity of the content supply chain
A portion of the necessary expenses related to developing systems that improve the productivity of the content supply chain will be subsidized for companies or organizations that engage in these activities to reduce their cost burden.

5) Support for projects that create and promote story-based videos for digital distribution
A portion of the necessary expenses related to creating and promoting story-based videos for digital distribution will be subsidized for companies or organizations that engage in these activities to reduce their cost burden.

The purpose of this project is to promote the expansion of Japanese content abroad, boost the overseas expansion of related industries through the generation of interest in Japan, and attract inbound visitors, along with creating an ecosystem in which the content industry can have continuous growth.

1) Support for businesses that localize and promote content for overseas audiences
A portion of the necessary expenses related to content-driven localization and promotion when expanding overseas will be subsidized for companies or organizations that engage in these activities to reduce their cost burden.

2) Support for pitches to obtain funding from overseas
A portion of the necessary expenses related to procuring the required funds for full-scale production of content targeting overseas expansion, as well as expenses related to creating video pitches for license sales and partnership acquisition, will be subsidized for companies or organizations that engage in these activities to reduce their cost burden.

3) Support for entertainment businesses operating in the COVID-19 era
A portion of the necessary expenses will be subsidized for companies or organizations that engage in activities as follows, to reduce their cost burden.

4) Support for developing and demonstrating systems for the digital transformation of the content industry
A portion of the necessary expenses related to developing and demonstrating systems to streamline the process of producing and distributing content will be subsidized for companies or organizations that engage in these activities to reduce their cost burden.

5) Support for projects that create and promote story-based videos
A portion of the necessary expenses related to creating and promoting story-based videos for digital distribution will be subsidized for companies or organizations that engage in these activities to reduce their cost burden.

In order to reduce the cost of promoting Japanese content by organizing and digitally distributing music, theater and other performances to overseas audiences, this project provides subsidies for a portion of the necessary expenses to companies and organizations that implement such activities.

Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a decline of opportunities to promote Japanese content abroad. In response to this situation, this project will subsidize a part of the necessary expenses incurred by companies and organizations that record and distribute Japanese music, theater, and other relevant performances (as stipulated in Articles 8 to 11 in the Basic Act for the Promotion of Culture and the Arts Act No. 148 of 2001), entirely or in part, to overseas audiences as digital content. The purpose of this project is to reduce the cost burden on the aforementioned companies and organizations, promote Japanese content abroad, boost the overseas expansion of related industries through the generation of interest in Japan, and attract inbound visitors.

This project will support performances that contribute to strengthening the revenue base in Japan with an eye to the post-Corona era, as well as the implementation of digital distribution of all or a part of the video recording of such performances to overseas markets.

Purpose
With the prolonged impact of the spread of Covid-19 in Japan and abroad, opportunities for the promotion of Japanese content overseas have been lost. In response to this, the Government of Japan aims to promote the overseas development of Japanese content, expand overseas development of related industries and attract inbound visitors to Japan through the creation of a Japan boom. It will achieve this by providing subsidies to businesses that promote Japanese content through performances that contribute to strengthening the revenue base of music, theater*, etc., with an eye to the post-Corona era in Japan, and through support for the implementation of digital distribution of all or part of the video recording of said performances to overseas markets.

*”Music” and “theater” refer to the cultural and artistic fields specified in Articles 8 to 11 of the Basic Act on Culture and the Arts (Act No. 148 of 2001).

In this database information that is accumulated and held by film commissions throughout the country is gathered in one location on the Internet and made accessible to both people in Japan and those from overseas. The purpose of which is to inform people of attractive filming locations in Japan, promote filming in Japan, and invigorate the Japanese film industry.

Business details
In order to promote the usage of the “Japan Location Database” (https://www.jldb.bunka.go.jp/en/), which was built by the Agency for Cultural Affairs to centrally manage and distribute the information retained by film commissions throughout the country, the following five activities will be implemented.
(1) Activities promoting the registration of, and dissemination of knowledge to, each film commission to enrich registration data.
• Hold hearings regarding the latest location information, filming/shooting information, and more (e.g., filming locations, determinants, difficulties regarding a particular location, advice to registrants, etc.)
• Provide explanations on information registration points from the secretariat after receiving the results of hearings.
• Collect information from each registrant.
• Provide public information on the results of previous filming sessions, introduce examples of joint promotions, etc.
(2) Improve environments and strengthen systems related to location promotion activities in each film commission.
• Hold workshops on location promotion activities with each film commission.
• Collect information and coordinate with each film commission with regard to support for accepting filming requests, improving filming environments, etc.
• Create manuals for each film commission regarding location promotion activities.
(3) Collect information on the activities of each film commission and provide that information in the database.
• In order to disseminate information regarding the activities of each film commission, related organizations, etc., collect information on said activities and provide that information in the database.
(4) Review old functions and examine new functionality to promote the usage of the database.
• Link together with the dissemination of information through official movie websites, social media pages, etc.
Information regarding a location, which is the initial information provided in the database, is accompanied by a number of conditions, and as a general rule, emphasis is placed on locations where filming is possible. However, in order to provide more detailed information, we will examine specific measures to take regarding cooperation with external sites run by third parties, proposing new functionalities and identifying issues and solutions after clearing considerations related to information provision, such as the handling of rights.
(5) Create proposals, etc., for effective ways to disseminate useful information from the database.
• In order to disseminate useful location information in the future, we will propose functional improvements, such as system requirements, from the perspective of both users and registrants.

In order to continue to develop the growth of Japanese content industry and advanced content technologies, we aim to revitalize international trade and create new markets for Japanese content by providing opportunities for business matching.

In order to continue to develop the growth of the Japanese content industry and advanced content technologies, we aim to stimulate international trade and create new markets for Japanese content by providing opportunities for business matching.

In order to continue to develop the growth of the Japanese content industry and advanced content technologies, we aim to stimulate international trade and create new markets for Japanese content by providing opportunities for business matching.

The purpose is to promote the international development of Japan’s contents industry and facilitate the promotion of the content industry in Asia as a whole through the operation of international conferences (see below) and other events aimed at promoting content from Asian countries and regions, further expanding Japan’s content industry.

13th Trilateral Cultural Content Industry Forum
The purpose of this international conference is to continuously exchange information on content industry policies and trends in Japan, China, and Korea, as well as create business opportunities among the industries of these three countries.
Participants: governments, government agencies, academic institutions and industry stakeholders from the three countries.

Asia Content Business Summit （ACBS）
The summit aims to bring together public and private sectors in Asia’s content industry to discuss international issues such as the promotion of content distribution in the Asian market, anti-piracy, human resource exchange, and international co-production projects. The summit also aims to encourage international collaboration.
Member countries/regions: Japan, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

1. Project Outline
This project will improve the location information held within the Japan Location Database, a system that enables centralized searching of the location information held by film commissions throughout Japan, and consolidate a wide range of information necessary for filmmaking so that the system can respond to a broader range of requests. By doing so, we aim to make the site attractive not only to filmmakers but also to fans in general.
In addition, in 2020, the system will be updated and the new system will be launched by the end of the fiscal year. By doing so, we will improve the database, including its operational aspects, and at the same time, we will conduct research in order to make the database more attractive and easier to use. This will lead to the improvement of the filmmaking environment in Japan and the strengthening of the film commission system.

2. Project Details
In order to promote the use of the Japan Location Database (JL-DB) (https://www.jldb.bunka.go.jp/), which was established by the Agency for Cultural Affairs for the purpose of centrally managing and providing information held by film commissions throughout Japan, we will carry out the following (1) to (4) below.

Main Business Activities

(1) Research to improve the JL-DB system and other work related to system construction
・Review old JL-DB functions, and research new functions in order to improve the system.
・Carry out work related to the construction of the new JL-DB system, with the new system to be put into operation within the fiscal year.

(2) Work related to surveys and other research to improve the data registered in the JL-DB
・Research and collect information on film commissions to promote the use of the JL-DB.
・Collect the latest information on the licensing procedures from government agencies related to location shooting and research ways to share this information.

(3) Research and verification in order to strengthen the film commission (FC) system to improve the filming environment
・Conduct training to strengthen the FC system.
・Promote the strengthening of inter-regional cooperation within the FC system.
・Conduct surveys on the current status of the FC system.

(4) Recommendations for strengthening the functionality of the JL-DB
・Report to the Agency for Cultural Affairs on the research stated above in (1) through (3) as needed.
・Present a proposal for strengthening the functionality of the JL-DB based on this research, after this has been discussed, conduct a test scheme and report the results to the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

For more information, please visit the JL-DB official website
https://www.jldb.bunka.go.jp/

In this survey, we investigate effective methods of training production staff by implementing Practical Training, an on-the-job training program in which young staff can acquire practical knowledge and techniques in the Japanese film and videography fields.

1. Project Outline
This project uses the Japan Location Database (JL-DB) to consolidate and improves the searchability of location information accumulated and maintained by film commissions (FC) in regions throughout Japan. By doing so, we aim to promote filmmaking within Japan and encourage creative endeavors in Japanese cinema, as well as showcase attractive locations across the country.

2. Project Details
Following system upgrades we made in the previous fiscal year, including user interface changes and improvements to information published in the database, in the 2021 fiscal year we will primarily focus on developing and implementing functions for registered users (FCs across different regions).

Concurrently, along with examining and improving information published in the JL-DB about Japan’s filming locations and permits, we also aim to improve the domestic filmmaking environment. We will carry out training to strengthen the FC system, promote enhanced inter-regional cooperation and investigate the current state of FCs. In our research to make the database unique, engaging and easier to use, we will conduct the following activities (1) to (4).

Main Business Activities

(1) Research for and implementation of additional functions to the JL-DB system, as well as system operation and maintenance work and analytical surveys on utilization
・Review old functions and consider new functions to add to the system
・Work on adding these new functions
・Carry out system operation and maintenance work along with analytical surveys about the website

(2) Work related to surveys and other research to improve the data registered in the JL-DB
・Research and collect information on FCs to promote the use of the JL-DB.
・Collect the latest information relating to licensing procedures and how to share it

(3) Research and verification in order to strengthen the FC system to improve the filming environment
・Conduct training to strengthen the FC system.
・Promote the strengthening of inter-regional cooperation within the FC system.
・Conduct surveys on the current status of the FC system.

(4) Recommendations for strengthening the functionality of the JL-DB
・Report to the Agency for Cultural Affairs on the research stated above in (1) through (3) as needed.
・Present a proposal for strengthening the functionality of the JL-DB based on this research, after this has been discussed, conduct a test scheme and report the results to the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

For more information, please visit the JL-DB official website
https://www.jldb.bunka.go.jp/

1.Project Outline

One of our projects is to have more outstanding Japanese books published and distributed by overseas publishers (hereinafter referred to as the “overseas publishing and distribution project”). Another is to host translation competitions to find and develop translators. In addition, symposiums and translation workshops will be held to implement the above two projects. Through these projects, we will support translators of Japanese books and promote many Japanese books to be translated and published outside of Japan.

2.Project Details

(1)Overseas publishing and distribution project

①Create a list of translators of Japanese books
②Translate proposal documents to sell books abroad
③Promote our projects

(2)International Translation Competition project

①Implement the 7th JLPP International Translation Competition
②Plan the 8th JLPP International Translation Competition

(3)Symposiums and translation workshops

①Host symposiums
②Host translation workshops

(4)Overseas publishing and distribution project

Operate the JLPP website(https://www.jlpp.go.jp/)

Purpose of Business
Rebate to cover a portion of the cost of production and location for international films, TV, etc., in Japan.

Background
Based on discussions held at the Public-Private Liaison Conference on Environmental Improvement of Filming Location, this project aims to demonstrate the actual effect of incentives for attracting large-scale overseas TV and film shot on location in Japan. 　It is a pilot project by the Cabinet Office with the purpose of attracting international productions to film in Japan and creating success case examples, as well as quantitatively and qualitatively grasping the resulting effects on regional economic promotion.

This project brings:

i. Financial sponsorship for content creation

This project sponsors part of the expenses for content creation projects that invest in regional revitalization and

meet the following conditions:

Content creation companies and regional business operators form a consortium.

Use of advanced content creation and expression technologies such as VR (virtual reality), AR (augmented reality), drones, AI, etc.

Promote regional attractions, such as regional products, services, tourist attractions, and sports.

ii. The best use of advanced content technology

For the furtherance of the content industry and regional revitalization, this project combines the best uses of advanced content technology, with the promotion and optimization of content creation.

This project is designed to cultivate new global markets for Japanese animation, manga, movies, music, and other content, so that these will continue to grow and develop. By promoting open innovation within the content industry, we hope to promote growth in this industry and extend this growth to other related industries as well. By providing opportunities for Japanese animation, manga, movies, music, and other content produced using advanced technologies, we will promote partnerships with international businesses and help the Japanese content industry advance into new global markets.

Business Matching at ChinaJoy in Shanghai
Date: Friday, August 2nd, 2019
Venue: Renaissance Shanghai Pudong Hotel (淳大万麗酒店) (Shanghai, China)
Summary: In the business matching event at ChinaJoy we collaborated with China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association Game Publishing Committee, and we organized the keynote lecture and the panel discussion. Tencent Games and NetEase Games were among the 200 Chinese companies that joined the event. Over 30 companies from Japan participated in the event, such as publishing companies, TV stations, animation production houses, and game developers. The event was a success and the number of Chinese companies that participated exceeded our expectations. It definitely demonstrated the popularity of Japanese IP (intellectual property).

Keynote Lecture & Panel Discussion

・Presentations by 19 Japanese companies
・Business Matching with 24 Chinese companies