Progress Report Meeting for the Creator Support Fund Held

The Japan Foundation for the Advancement of Cultural and Artistic Activities (commonly known as the Creator Support Fund) held the 'Creator Support Fund Progress Report Meeting' on Friday, June 5, at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Deputy Minister of MEXT Shigeru Kobayashi delivered opening remarks, and four selected organizations that are implementing projects using the fund took the stage to present their achievements and future plans.

First, Deputy Minister Kobayashi (top left photo) gave an address. He referred to the government's 'Japan Growth Strategy Council,' where content was designated as one of 17 strategic fields, and noted that MEXT, as the lead for the council's human resource development subcommittee, had compiled the 'Vision for Reforming the Human Resource Development System from High School to University and Graduate School,' including the content sector. He emphasized that creators and artists are the source of attractive content, and that the 'Creator Support Fund' will support talent development and international expansion of content.

Sugiyama Hisahiro, Deputy Chairman of the Japan Arts Fund (bottom left photo), explained the overview of the Creator Support Fund. He outlined the fund's features, such as multi-year support and selection status, and introduced examples of achievements, including nominations for awards at international film festivals and high praise for European performances. He stressed the importance of businesses, organizations, schools, and government agencies involved in cultural and artistic activities working together in their respective roles to cultivate and support creators and artists. He also expressed the Japan Arts Fund's commitment to continuing its support so that works created through creative activities can flourish both domestically and internationally, contributing to a richer society.

Following the opening remarks and fund overview, four organizations were selected from the 80 projects adopted under the 'Support for Creator Development and High-Value Enhancement of Cultural Facilities' and 'Creator Support Program (Development and Implementation of Training Programs).' They presented the outlines, progress, challenges, and future outlooks of their respective projects.

Emergency Performing Arts Network presented its 'SOIL Fellowship Program,' which aims to build new ground for Japan's overseas strategy in performing arts content by cultivating producers. In FY2025, they reported achievements such as pitch events in London and Edinburgh, where trainees introduced their works to performing arts professionals from various countries. They expressed their vision to enhance the presence of Japanese theater culture, promote work distribution, and accumulate and share know-how.

Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre introduced the 'TMT GEAR – Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Creator Support Project,' aiming to strengthen its role as an international hub for promoting contemporary Japanese performing arts by nurturing creators who can thrive globally and enhancing the expertise of theater staff who support them. In FY2025, they reported on on-the-job training for staff during overseas performances, networking with international theater professionals, the implementation of work-in-progress sessions in performing arts and music fields, and the video media team's efforts in 8K recording of stage works and technical training, illustrated with actual footage.

Kinema Citrus reported on the 'Global Anime Challenge (GAC).' This project provides young talent with learning opportunities to cultivate future leaders of Japan's anime industry. In FY2025, they conducted workshops in Japan and internships at overseas animation studios, with trainees gaining insights from aspects such as 'connecting,' 'creating,' and 'selling.' They identified future challenges, including gaining understanding and cooperation from the studios where trainees are based and enhancing support for studios eager to expand overseas.

Shigaku Gakuen introduced the 'Immersive Media Lab++,' a project jointly conducted with STYLY, a company engaged in XR business, to nurture and produce immersive visual content creators. In FY2025, they worked on establishing foundational elements for curriculum development and conducted overseas observations. Trainees shared outcomes from hackathons and observations in the United States. They explained that starting in FY2026, they plan to offer year-round lectures for enrolled students and conduct overseas training.

After the meeting, the speakers gathered for a photo session (top photo) and participated in press roundtables with the presenting organizations.

Details of the progress report meeting will be announced on the official website at a later date.

Supplement: Major Achievements and Results of Each Project in FY2025

'Creator and Artist Development Support Program'

Number of creators: Total 544 Number of advisors: Total 301 Number of performances and exhibitions (domestic): Total 163 Number of performances and exhibitions (overseas): Total 165 Total attendance at performances and exhibitions (domestic and overseas): 873,761 Countries and regions covered: (23 total) Ireland, USA, Italy, India, UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, South Korea, China, Germany, France, Vietnam, Malta, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Spain, Argentina, Portugal

'High-Value Enhancement Support Program for Cultural Facilities'

Number of creators: Total 133 Number of advisors: Total 88 Number of performances and exhibitions (domestic): Total 92 Number of performances and exhibitions (overseas): Total 5 Total attendance at performances and exhibitions (domestic and overseas): 1,900,597 (includes attendance at other overseas events) Countries and regions covered: (8 total) South Korea, China, Germany, France, Taiwan, Indonesia, Slovakia, Mexico

'Creator Support Program (Development and Implementation of Training Programs)'

Each project implemented specific measures for building and practicing training programs. In particular, educational organizations among the grantees made progress in preparing for new departments and courses. From the perspective of cultivating global talent, many conducted observations to understand global demand for Japanese content and survey educational conditions, traveling to approximately 15 countries worldwide, including Africa.

Selection of trainees is underway, and some projects have already launched practical programs, holding seminars and workshops domestically and sending participants overseas.

Official Website: Enhanced Content Including Project Pages and Interview Videos

The fund's official website has newly added project pages for the 'Creator Support Program (Development and Implementation of Training Programs).' It also enriches content with interview videos of creators and trainees supported by the fund, a list of creators, and more. Additionally, it continuously updates the latest information on various exhibitions and performances hosted by each project.

URL: https://creator.ntj.jac.go.jp

Japan Foundation for the Advancement of Cultural and Artistic Activities (Japan Creator Support Fund), commonly known as the Creator Support Fund

The Japan Foundation for the Advancement of Cultural and Artistic Activities (Creator Support Fund) is a fund established in 2024 by the Japan Arts Fund, an independent administrative corporation, using budget from the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Its purpose is to flexibly and over multiple years support the development of Japan's outstanding creators and artists.