Symposium on Growth Strategy for the Japanese Anime Industry to be Held at the House of Representatives Members' Office Building on April 3

The Association of Japanese Animations (AJA), the Institute for Information Law and Policy (JILIS), and the Visual Industry Strategy Promotion Research Group (VIS Research Group) will host a symposium titled "Symposium for the Sustainable Development of the Japanese Anime Industry: A Growth Strategy Driven by Talent Development and Global Market Expansion" on Friday, April 3, 2026, at the First Members' Office Building of the House of Representatives. Addressing the structural challenges of the Japanese anime industry, which has grown to a market size of over 3.38 trillion yen, industry leaders and policymakers will gather to propose concrete policies with the intention of reflecting them in the government's 'Basic Policies' (Honebuto no Hoshin). Online participation is free and open to everyone.

Background

The Japanese animation industry has reached a market size of over 3.38 trillion yen and has grown to be positioned by the government as a core industry. However, structural issues such as insufficient profit returns to production sites, a severe shortage of talent, and weak bargaining power in overseas markets remain unresolved.

Building on previous discussions by the VIS Research Group, this symposium will focus on two themes: 'Establishment of Talent Development and Certification Systems' and 'Overseas Sales and Market Expansion Strategy,' to discuss concrete policy proposals for inclusion in the Basic Policies.

Program

Opening Remarks (14:00–14:05)

Fumio Kishida (Member of the House of Representatives)

[Part 1] Talent Development and Establishment of Professional Certification Systems

• Lecture (1) "Current Status and Challenges of the Japanese Anime Industry: An Overview" (14:05–14:25)
  Kazuko Ishikawa (Chairperson, Association of Japanese Animations; President, Japan Animation Co., Ltd.)
• Lecture (2) "For the Future of Anime Production: Toward an Era Where Next-Generation Creators Shine" (14:25–14:45)
  George Wada (Director, Association of Japanese Animations; President and CEO, Production I.G, Inc.)
• Panel Discussion (1) "Toward an Anime Industry Where Talent Grows and Stays" (14:45–15:15)
  Moderator: Ichiro Yamamoto (Deputy Secretary General/Senior Researcher, Institute for Information Law and Policy)
  Panelists:
  • Manabu Otsuka (Director, Association of Japanese Animations; President and CEO, MAPPA Co., Ltd.)
  • Akira Shimizu (Director, Association of Japanese Animations; President and CEO, A-1 Pictures Inc.)
  • Other government officials (TBD)

[Part 2] Overseas Sales and Market Expansion Strategy

• Lecture (3) "Current Status of Japanese Anime Competing Overseas and Strengthening Sales Power" (15:20–15:40)
  Kiichiro Yamada (Director, Association of Japanese Animations; Managing Director, Toei Animation Co., Ltd.)
• Panel Discussion (2) "Conditions for an Anime Industry That Can Win in the Global Market" (15:40–16:10)
  Moderator: Fumiaki Kobayashi, Member of the House of Representatives (Secretary General, Visual Industry Strategy Promotion Research Group)
  Panelists:
  • Kiichiro Yamada (Managing Director, Toei Animation Co., Ltd.)
  • Hideo Katsumata (Auditor, Association of Japanese Animations; President and CEO, avex pictures Inc.)
  • Ai Takai (Executive Officer, General Manager of Management Division, Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc.)
  • Others (TBD)

Closing Remarks (16:10–16:15)

Masatomo Suzuki (Chairman, Institute for Information Law and Policy; Professor, Niigata University)