Location Incentive Program
for International Large-scale Audiovisual Productions
（Support for overseas production companies
to promote Japanese locations）

Location Incentive Program
for International Large-scale Audiovisual Productions
（Support for overseas production companies
to promote Japanese locations）

This program is a part of JLOX＋(Japan content LOcalization and business transformation (X) Plus)

Sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Selection history

・2023

©️MAM FILM Co., Ltd.

©️MAM FILM Co., Ltd.

・2024

Characteristics of this Incentive

• Cash rebate of 50% of the costs incurred during domestic production and post-production (after inspection) during the period covered by the subsidy.
  *Only Japanese corporations can apply. Please refer to the outline of application requirements below.
• One-year project (March 27, 2025 to January 31, 2026). The following year is undecided.
• For long-term projects, partial subsidies are possible if production and post-production are completed by January 31, 2026.
• The production cost will be checked twice: (1) at the time of selection, and (2) at the time of inspection of the cost report, to ensure that it complies with the subsidy rules, after which the actual payment amount is determined.

Summary of Application Guidelines

1. Purpose of the project

To support a portion of the cost of production for international films, TV dramas, and streaming, shot and produced in Japan.

2. Work Eligible for Support

– Large-scale overseas TV and film projects shot on location in Japan (feature films, streaming dramas, etc.) with staff from overseas.
– Refer to 5, “Criteria for Eligibility”.

3. Application Period

1st Round: March 27 – April 10, 2025
2nd Round: May 19 – June 6, 2025
3rd Round: July 28 – August 22, 2025
4th Round: September 29 – October 17, 2025
NB: The program will end when the grant budget is expended, which may occur before all 4 rounds have been completed.

4. Applicants

Applications should be submitted by a Japanese production group and a production company founded under the Japanese law.
Applicants should have produced a TV show or film in cooperation with an overseas production company or through an entrustment contract.
Applications from overseas will not be accepted. In the case of consortiums, etc., consisting of multiple companies, please designate a representative company in Japan which will apply on behalf of the group.
Applicants can apply for multiple projects.

5. Criteria for Eligibility

Eligible large-scale international film and television projects must fall under (1) and (2) below. In addition, the project must also meet conditions (3) to (5).

(1) Projects which fall under (a) or (b) or (c).
　(a) Direct production costs in Japan exceed 500 million yen (approx. 3.3M USD).
　(b) Total production costs exceed one billion yen (approx. 6.6M USD) and direct production costs in Japan exceed 200 million yen (approx. 1.3M USD).
　(c) Projects that are scheduled to be released, screened, broadcast, or distributed in more than ten countries or territories, and their direct production costs in Japan exceed 200 million yen (approx. 1.3M USD).

(2) Projects that will benefit the Japan domestic content industry (human resources development through local employment, utilization of Japan domestic studios, etc.)

(3) Projects for which the scenes shot in Japan are absolutely guaranteed.

(4) Projects allows overseas filmmakers to cooperate in the promotion of the regions where films were shot, including obtaining permission to use footage when the films are released domestically and internationally.

(5) Projects that promote skills for global expansion of the appeal of Japan.

In cases where the requirements of (1) are not met, projects* that greatly benefit the Japanese economy and the domestic film industry in (2) to (5) may be subject to consideration.
*Entrusted to the judgment of an outside examination committee.

The total production cost and direct production cost in Japan as stated in (1) will be used to determine whether each standard amount has been met for the entire project, including costs outside the project period.

The project completion date must be set within 90 days of the completion of the work or January 31, 2026, whichever comes first. Please note that the grant will be canceled if the report of results is not submitted by the project completion date.

6. Eligible Expenses

Direct expenses related to film production in Japan such as payments to Japanese corporations, individuals, local governments, public organizations, etc., are eligible for funding However, only expenses incurred before the eligibility date.

7. Amount of Funding for Foreign Film Productions in Japan

Covers 1/2 of qualifying spend in Japan from the date when the project has been officially selected.
The upper limit of the subsidy is one billion yen.
The subsidy amount will be determined by the secretariat after consideration of the application content and number of other applicants by an expert committee.

8. Operating Team

Program Owner: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Program Operator: Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO)
Program Coordinator: Japan Film Commission (JFC)

9. Contact Information

Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO)
E-mail: question@jloxplusr6.jp

For general information on shooting in Japan (locations, permits, and local incentives)

Japan Film Commission (JFC)
Phone: +81-3-6264-2042
E-mail: jfc@japanfc.org
https://www.japanfc.org/en/