[Event Report] Special Dialogue on the "Future of the Content Industry" with Minister Kimiko Onoda, Takeshi Natsuno, and HARC Director Koichi Hosoi
Representatives from government, industry, and academia discussed the future of Japan's content industry. Minister Kimiko Onoda spoke on the national strategy to achieve 20 trillion yen in exports by 2033, emphasizing creator protection and the government's stance on defending domestic freedom of expression.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 14, 2026 at 11:33
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 15, 2026 at 07:36 (20h 3m after Collected)
On Sunday, April 26, 2026, at the ZEN University Festival "Tenjikusai 2026," held within the Niconico Chokaigi 2026 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, a special stage event titled "Where is the Future of the Content Industry Headed? - A Special Tripartite Dialogue between Industry, Government, and Academia" was held. The speakers were Kimiko Onoda, Minister of State for Special Missions (Cool Japan Strategy, Intellectual Property Strategy), Takeshi Natsuno, Representative Executive Officer, President & CEO of KADOKAWA and visiting professor at ZEN University, and Koichi Hosoi, Director of the ZEN University Content Industry History Archive and Research Center (HARC).
The dialogue featured a candid discussion from the perspectives of industry, government, and academia on initiatives to realize the national strategy of increasing Japan's content export value to 20 trillion yen by 2033, making it a key industry second only to the automotive sector. Topics ranged from creator protection to responses to generative AI.
☑︎ Content Industry Surpasses Semiconductors to Become the 2nd Largest "Earning Export Industry"
Mr. Natsuno confessed that while Japan's content industry is currently receiving unprecedented support from the government, he feels intense pressure regarding the goal of increasing overseas sales to 20 trillion yen by 2033. In response, Minister Onoda emphasized that "content is undoubtedly a core industry of Japan, and its power to earn overseas has already surpassed that of semiconductors to become number two." She also clarified the new role of the government, stating, "While the government has high expectations, it will not impose its vision of what should be. We will provide support so that creators, production teams, and content lovers can all be happy."
☑︎ Freedom of Expression and Global Standards. A Strong Will for the "Nation to Protect"
The most exciting moment for the audience during the dialogue was the discussion on the government's stance against expression regulations and criticism from overseas. While acknowledging the need to adapt to the destination country for overseas exports, Minister Onoda remarked, "For domestic content, even if it receives criticism from abroad, the nation needs to be prepared to protect it with the attitude of 'Mind your business, this is Japan.'" As the minister also in charge of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, she expressed a sense of crisis regarding the unauthorized use of IP (Intellectual Property) by generative AI, stating, "We cannot allow the assets built from everyone's love to be eaten away without permission."
☑︎ A Call for Industry Restructuring and Ensuring Diversity
Mr. Natsuno suggested that corporate consolidation might be necessary for the content industry to become stronger in the future. He pointed out the current situation in the animation and publishing industries where numerous small production companies lead to overlapping indirect departments. Drawing parallels with the game industry, he spoke about the significance of industry restructuring and inter-company collaboration and integration to create an environment where creators can focus on their work. Minister Onoda, drawing from her own experience working at a game company, shared the view that small companies are where cutting-edge ideas are born and where the younger generation can easily take on challenges, indicating the need for an environment where diverse creators can thrive.
☑︎ The Need for Unified Human Resource Development by Industry, Government, and Academia
Finally, the discussion turned to the role of "academia" in studying and nurturing content not just within an economic and cultural framework, but also academically and systematically. Minister Onoda expressed her expectations, saying, "There is a demand worldwide to hold comprehensive exhibitions of Japanese manga and anime, and I would like to ask for the development of academic human resources who can handle this in a total capacity." She also touched on the point that while the base of human resources in the content industry is broad, many actual production tasks are being outsourced overseas, stating, "Support for human resource development should also be considered by industry, government, and academia."
Director Hosoi stated that with content having both cultural and industrial aspects, it is necessary for industry, government, and academia to collaborate and act on how to protect and develop it. He also expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "As a research institute of ZEN University, HARC wants to tackle this issue head-on," and that he would like to create another opportunity to delve deeper into this issue.
☑︎ [Topics] Minister Experiences the "'otaku' Attribute Diagnostic Test"
Prior to the dialogue, the Minister experienced the "'otaku' Attribute Diagnostic Test" developed by HARC. This test uses AI to determine a person's "otaku" attribute based on the content that has influenced them. She seemed convinced by her diagnosis, a nickname translating to "A circuit that traces the trajectory of shonen manga with the afterglow of clever mechanisms in its heart," remarking, "That's so me! I totally get it."
Minister of State Kimiko Onoda experiencing the "'otaku' Attribute Diagnostic Test."
[Stage Event Overview]
Date & Time: Sunday, April 26, 2026, 15:00-15:30
Venue: ZEN University Festival "Tenjikusai 2026" Main Stage (within Niconico Chokaigi 2026 at Makuhari Messe)
Title: "Where is the Future of the Content Industry Headed?" - A Special Tripartite Dialogue between Industry, Government, and Academia
Speakers:
・Kimiko Onoda, Minister of State for Special Missions (Cool Japan Strategy, ...)
The dialogue featured a candid discussion from the perspectives of industry, government, and academia on initiatives to realize the national strategy of increasing Japan's content export value to 20 trillion yen by 2033, making it a key industry second only to the automotive sector. Topics ranged from creator protection to responses to generative AI.
☑︎ Content Industry Surpasses Semiconductors to Become the 2nd Largest "Earning Export Industry"
Mr. Natsuno confessed that while Japan's content industry is currently receiving unprecedented support from the government, he feels intense pressure regarding the goal of increasing overseas sales to 20 trillion yen by 2033. In response, Minister Onoda emphasized that "content is undoubtedly a core industry of Japan, and its power to earn overseas has already surpassed that of semiconductors to become number two." She also clarified the new role of the government, stating, "While the government has high expectations, it will not impose its vision of what should be. We will provide support so that creators, production teams, and content lovers can all be happy."
☑︎ Freedom of Expression and Global Standards. A Strong Will for the "Nation to Protect"
The most exciting moment for the audience during the dialogue was the discussion on the government's stance against expression regulations and criticism from overseas. While acknowledging the need to adapt to the destination country for overseas exports, Minister Onoda remarked, "For domestic content, even if it receives criticism from abroad, the nation needs to be prepared to protect it with the attitude of 'Mind your business, this is Japan.'" As the minister also in charge of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, she expressed a sense of crisis regarding the unauthorized use of IP (Intellectual Property) by generative AI, stating, "We cannot allow the assets built from everyone's love to be eaten away without permission."
☑︎ A Call for Industry Restructuring and Ensuring Diversity
Mr. Natsuno suggested that corporate consolidation might be necessary for the content industry to become stronger in the future. He pointed out the current situation in the animation and publishing industries where numerous small production companies lead to overlapping indirect departments. Drawing parallels with the game industry, he spoke about the significance of industry restructuring and inter-company collaboration and integration to create an environment where creators can focus on their work. Minister Onoda, drawing from her own experience working at a game company, shared the view that small companies are where cutting-edge ideas are born and where the younger generation can easily take on challenges, indicating the need for an environment where diverse creators can thrive.
☑︎ The Need for Unified Human Resource Development by Industry, Government, and Academia
Finally, the discussion turned to the role of "academia" in studying and nurturing content not just within an economic and cultural framework, but also academically and systematically. Minister Onoda expressed her expectations, saying, "There is a demand worldwide to hold comprehensive exhibitions of Japanese manga and anime, and I would like to ask for the development of academic human resources who can handle this in a total capacity." She also touched on the point that while the base of human resources in the content industry is broad, many actual production tasks are being outsourced overseas, stating, "Support for human resource development should also be considered by industry, government, and academia."
Director Hosoi stated that with content having both cultural and industrial aspects, it is necessary for industry, government, and academia to collaborate and act on how to protect and develop it. He also expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "As a research institute of ZEN University, HARC wants to tackle this issue head-on," and that he would like to create another opportunity to delve deeper into this issue.
☑︎ [Topics] Minister Experiences the "'otaku' Attribute Diagnostic Test"
Prior to the dialogue, the Minister experienced the "'otaku' Attribute Diagnostic Test" developed by HARC. This test uses AI to determine a person's "otaku" attribute based on the content that has influenced them. She seemed convinced by her diagnosis, a nickname translating to "A circuit that traces the trajectory of shonen manga with the afterglow of clever mechanisms in its heart," remarking, "That's so me! I totally get it."
Minister of State Kimiko Onoda experiencing the "'otaku' Attribute Diagnostic Test."
[Stage Event Overview]
Date & Time: Sunday, April 26, 2026, 15:00-15:30
Venue: ZEN University Festival "Tenjikusai 2026" Main Stage (within Niconico Chokaigi 2026 at Makuhari Messe)
Title: "Where is the Future of the Content Industry Headed?" - A Special Tripartite Dialogue between Industry, Government, and Academia
Speakers:
・Kimiko Onoda, Minister of State for Special Missions (Cool Japan Strategy, ...)