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 Information Law Institute (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 aim 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 recognized by the government as a core industry. However, structural issues such as insufficient profit returns to production sites, a severe shortage of human resources, 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 Strategies,' aiming to formulate concrete policy proposals for inclusion in the government's 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; Representative Director, 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, Information Law Institute)
  Panelists: Manabu Otsuka (Director, Association of Japanese Animations; CEO, MAPPA Co., Ltd.), Akira Shimizu (Director, Association of Japanese Animations; President and CEO, A-1 Pictures Inc.), and others (TBD).

[Part 2] Overseas Sales and Market Expansion Strategies

• Lecture (3) 'The Current State 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, Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc.), and others (TBD).

Closing Remarks (16:10–16:15)

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