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

The Association of Japanese Animations (AJA), the Japan Institute for Legal Information and Systems (JILIS), and the Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIS) will hold a symposium titled "Symposium for the Sustainable Development of the Japanese Anime Industry - A Growth Strategy Drawn by Both Human Resource Development and Overseas Market Expansion" on Friday, April 3, 2026, at the First Members' Office Building of the House of Representatives. Industry leaders and policymakers will gather to address the structural challenges of the Japanese anime industry, which has grown to a market size of over 3.38 trillion yen, and to make concrete policy recommendations with the aim of reflecting them in the "Basic Policy" (a government economic and fiscal policy outline). Online participation is free and open to all.

Background

The Japanese animation industry has grown to a market size exceeding 3.38 trillion yen and has been recognized by the government as a key industry. However, structural issues such as insufficient profit distribution to production sites, severe labor shortages, and weak bargaining power in overseas markets remain unresolved.

This symposium, building upon the discussions held by the VIS research group, will focus on two themes: "Human Resource Development and the Establishment of a Certification System" and "Overseas Sales and Market Expansion Strategies." The aim is to formulate concrete policy recommendations with the intention of their inclusion in the "Basic Policy."

Program

Opening Remarks (14:00-14:05)

Fumio Kishida (Member of the House of Representatives)

Part 1: Human Resource Development and the Establishment of a Skills Certification System

• Lecture 1: "Current Status and Challenges of the Japanese Anime Industry - An Overview of the Industry" (14:05-14:25)

  Kazuko Ishikawa (Chairperson of the Association of Japanese Animations, Representative Director of Nippon Animation Co., Ltd.)

• Lecture 2: "For the Future of Anime Production: Towards an Era Where Next-Generation Creators Shine" (14:25-14:45)

  Tetsuji Wada (Director of the Association of Japanese Animations, President and Representative Director of Production I.G, Inc.)

• Panel Discussion 1: "Towards an Anime Industry Where Talent is Developed and Retained" (14:45-15:15)

  Moderator: Ichiro Yamamoto (Deputy Secretary-General and Senior Researcher, Japan Institute for Legal Information and Systems)

  Panelists:

  • Manabu Otsuka (Director of the Association of Japanese Animations, Representative Director of MAPPA Co., Ltd.)

  • Akira Shimizu (Director of the Association of Japanese Animations, President and Representative Director, A-1 Pictures Inc.)

  • Representatives from government agencies (tentative)

Part 2: Overseas Sales and Market Expansion Strategies

• Lecture 3: "The Current State of Japanese Anime Competing Overseas and Strengthening Sales Capabilities" (15:20-15:40)

  Kiichiro Yamada (Director of the Association of Japanese Animations, Senior Managing Director of 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 of the Visual Industry Promotion Organization)

  Panelists:

  • Kiichiro Yamada (Senior Managing Director, Toei Animation Co., Ltd.)

  • Hideo Katsumata (Auditor of the Association of Japanese Animations, President and Representative Director of Avex Pictures Inc.)

  • Ai Takai (Executive Officer, General Manager of Management Division, Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc.)

  • Others to be confirmed

Closing Remarks (16:10-16:15)

Masatomo Suzuki (Chairman of the Japan Institute for Legal Information and Systems, Professor at Niigata University)

Event Overview

FAQ

What is the main purpose of the symposium being held on April 3rd?

The symposium aims to discuss growth strategies for the Japanese anime industry, focusing on human resource development and overseas market expansion, with the goal of formulating policy recommendations.

Who are the organizing bodies for this symposium on the Japanese anime industry?

The symposium is jointly organized by the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA), the Japan Institute for Legal Information and Systems (JILIS), and the Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIS).

What are some of the key structural challenges facing the Japanese anime industry that will be addressed?

The symposium will address structural issues such as insufficient profit distribution to production sites, severe labor shortages, and weak bargaining power in overseas markets.

What are the two main themes that will be focused on during the symposium?

The two main themes are 'Human Resource Development and the Establishment of a Certification System' and 'Overseas Sales and Market Expansion Strategies'.

Is there a cost to participate in the symposium, and how can people join?

Online participation in the symposium is free and open to all individuals interested in the growth strategy of the Japanese anime industry.

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