[Fuji TV] 'FOD SHORT' Begins Drama Distribution in North America - Fuji TV's First Overseas Expansion, Aiming for Expansion to 100 Countries as a 'Global Infrastructure from Japan'
Fuji TV's vertical short drama app 'FOD SHORT' launched in the North American market on April 15, 2026, marking Fuji TV's first overseas expansion. The service aims to eventually reach over 100 countries. Building on its success as the No. 1 short drama publisher in Japan for revenue and downloads, FOD SHORT now offers English subtitles and plans to add more languages.
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- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 21:00
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Fuji TV's vertical short drama app "FOD SHORT" (https://short.fod.fujitv.co.jp) began providing services in the North American market on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. This is Fuji TV's first overseas expansion of its platform. We aim to expand to over 100 countries in the future and accelerate global deployment to allow people worldwide to enjoy Japanese dramas.
Since its launch in July 2025, FOD SHORT has grown rapidly in Japan. In December 2025, according to a survey by Sensor Tower, a mobile app research firm, it ranked first in both app revenue and downloads among domestic short drama publishers. It has also received high marks for content quality. The drama "My Fan's Sin ~Only I, the Otaku, Can Save My Fan~" (starring Rio Uchida, Naenano) won the "Ultimate Content Award" at the "Modelpress Best Drama Awards." Based on this track record as a "leader in the domestic market," we are challenging the global market.
With this overseas expansion, FOD SHORT app installations will first be available in the North American markets of the United States and Canada, allowing viewers to watch vertical short dramas produced by Fuji TV. FOD SHORT currently offers English subtitles for 39 original works. We will progressively support other distribution titles, including works produced by external content partners. The service areas will be expanded in stages, with plans to deploy services in over 100 countries in the future. To deliver Japanese content to users worldwide, we plan to support more than just English, aiming for over 10 languages.
Becoming a 'Hub for Global Expansion' connecting Japanese IP and creativity to the world
FOD SHORT is evolving into an open platform that distributes not only Fuji TV's self-produced works but also content from partner companies in Japan. Our greatest mission is to become a "Global Infrastructure from Japan" for directly delivering Japan's excellent IP and the talents of young creators to the world, without relying on foreign platforms.
By functioning as a "Global Expansion Hub" from domestic market test marketing to joint localization production with overseas studios, FOD SHORT aims to build an ecosystem where Japanese content is properly evaluated worldwide, and its profits are returned to the domestic creative industry. We are widely recruiting IP holders and content partners who wish to challenge the global market together with us.
Moving forward, FOD SHORT will continue to provide a new video experience to users worldwide with the concept of "Short, yet memorable dramas." This service is a joint project with Fuji-Nextera Lab Co., Ltd., which possesses advanced technology in app development for video distribution services like "FOD," AI utilization, and expertise in advertising creative.
We will further strengthen the collaboration between the two companies and deliver a more comfortable viewing experience and attractive content to the world.
■ Comment: Tomoko Sugisaki, General Manager, FOD Business Department, Fuji TV
"I am delighted that we have been able to start providing services in North America, building on the knowledge and achievements of FOD SHORT cultivated in the domestic market. I am confident that the appeal of Japanese dramas, which deeply move emotions even in a short time, can be fully conveyed to overseas customers.
This project is not just an overseas expansion of a single Fuji TV business. It is a challenge to create a "Global Infrastructure from Japan" that can directly deliver the passion and talent of Japan's wonderful IP and creators to the global market.
By providing an environment where creators can compete globally and FOD SHORT serves as a hub for overseas expansion, we aim for a "sustainable ecosystem" where success experiences and profits are shared with our partners. To showcase the full potential of Japanese creativity to the world, we will continue to co-create with many content partners and expand our service regions."
◇ FOD SHORT Overview
"FOD SHORT" is Fuji TV's dedicated app for vertical short dramas. You can watch high-quality dramas of approximately 1 minute per episode, with 5 new episodes released daily for free. Optimized for smartphone viewing, it's perfect for commutes, travel, and breaks. Original works starring talented casts are also being released one after another. It also features popular overseas productions that can only be seen here. Experience a new style of drama that is short yet memorable.
■ URL: https://short.fod.fujitv.co.jp
◇ FOD Overview
FOD (https://fod.fujitv.co.jp/) is Fuji TV's official video and e-book distribution service. The "FOD Premium Standard Course" for ¥1,320 (tax included) per month offers unlimited viewing of over 100,000 works including dramas and movies, and unlimited reading of over 200 magazines. You can also enjoy over 700,000 e-books. Additionally, every Friday, we offer the "FOD Friday" benefit, allowing you to watch TOHO Cinemas movies at a discount of ¥1,200 (tax included).
Details of the "FOD F1™︎ Plan" for watching Formula 1® can be found here:
https://fod.fujitv.co.jp/f1/register
Since its launch in July 2025, FOD SHORT has grown rapidly in Japan. In December 2025, according to a survey by Sensor Tower, a mobile app research firm, it ranked first in both app revenue and downloads among domestic short drama publishers. It has also received high marks for content quality. The drama "My Fan's Sin ~Only I, the Otaku, Can Save My Fan~" (starring Rio Uchida, Naenano) won the "Ultimate Content Award" at the "Modelpress Best Drama Awards." Based on this track record as a "leader in the domestic market," we are challenging the global market.
With this overseas expansion, FOD SHORT app installations will first be available in the North American markets of the United States and Canada, allowing viewers to watch vertical short dramas produced by Fuji TV. FOD SHORT currently offers English subtitles for 39 original works. We will progressively support other distribution titles, including works produced by external content partners. The service areas will be expanded in stages, with plans to deploy services in over 100 countries in the future. To deliver Japanese content to users worldwide, we plan to support more than just English, aiming for over 10 languages.
Becoming a 'Hub for Global Expansion' connecting Japanese IP and creativity to the world
FOD SHORT is evolving into an open platform that distributes not only Fuji TV's self-produced works but also content from partner companies in Japan. Our greatest mission is to become a "Global Infrastructure from Japan" for directly delivering Japan's excellent IP and the talents of young creators to the world, without relying on foreign platforms.
By functioning as a "Global Expansion Hub" from domestic market test marketing to joint localization production with overseas studios, FOD SHORT aims to build an ecosystem where Japanese content is properly evaluated worldwide, and its profits are returned to the domestic creative industry. We are widely recruiting IP holders and content partners who wish to challenge the global market together with us.
Moving forward, FOD SHORT will continue to provide a new video experience to users worldwide with the concept of "Short, yet memorable dramas." This service is a joint project with Fuji-Nextera Lab Co., Ltd., which possesses advanced technology in app development for video distribution services like "FOD," AI utilization, and expertise in advertising creative.
We will further strengthen the collaboration between the two companies and deliver a more comfortable viewing experience and attractive content to the world.
■ Comment: Tomoko Sugisaki, General Manager, FOD Business Department, Fuji TV
"I am delighted that we have been able to start providing services in North America, building on the knowledge and achievements of FOD SHORT cultivated in the domestic market. I am confident that the appeal of Japanese dramas, which deeply move emotions even in a short time, can be fully conveyed to overseas customers.
This project is not just an overseas expansion of a single Fuji TV business. It is a challenge to create a "Global Infrastructure from Japan" that can directly deliver the passion and talent of Japan's wonderful IP and creators to the global market.
By providing an environment where creators can compete globally and FOD SHORT serves as a hub for overseas expansion, we aim for a "sustainable ecosystem" where success experiences and profits are shared with our partners. To showcase the full potential of Japanese creativity to the world, we will continue to co-create with many content partners and expand our service regions."
◇ FOD SHORT Overview
"FOD SHORT" is Fuji TV's dedicated app for vertical short dramas. You can watch high-quality dramas of approximately 1 minute per episode, with 5 new episodes released daily for free. Optimized for smartphone viewing, it's perfect for commutes, travel, and breaks. Original works starring talented casts are also being released one after another. It also features popular overseas productions that can only be seen here. Experience a new style of drama that is short yet memorable.
■ URL: https://short.fod.fujitv.co.jp
◇ FOD Overview
FOD (https://fod.fujitv.co.jp/) is Fuji TV's official video and e-book distribution service. The "FOD Premium Standard Course" for ¥1,320 (tax included) per month offers unlimited viewing of over 100,000 works including dramas and movies, and unlimited reading of over 200 magazines. You can also enjoy over 700,000 e-books. Additionally, every Friday, we offer the "FOD Friday" benefit, allowing you to watch TOHO Cinemas movies at a discount of ¥1,200 (tax included).
Details of the "FOD F1™︎ Plan" for watching Formula 1® can be found here:
https://fod.fujitv.co.jp/f1/register