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Japan Aims to Boost Annual Entertainment Sales Overseas to 20 Trillion Yen

Manga creator-turned-legislator Ken Akamatsu reported he had attended the Tokyo Game Show (TGS) on its first business day, Thursday, and he discussed how he presented the Japanese government's plans to support the entertainment industry, particularly video games. The current Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology detailed his experience at the event, highlighting the Koei Tecmo and CAPCOM booths, the Game Academy corner, and booths supported by the Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

Akamatsu also attended a TGS social gathering on Thursday. The manga creator met with industry people who had developed Love Hina games nearly 20 years ago, and those same people have become high-ranking personnel within their respective companies.

During the TGS social gathering, Akamatsu presented the Japanese government's five-year action plan to boost annual entertainment sales overseas to 20 trillion yen (about US$130 billion). METI first unveiled the action plan this past June, and it is now available on the ministry's website.

The plan has proposals for video games, anime, and manga with these bullet points as actions to take:

Video Games

• Action 1: Strengthen overseas expansion (cross-platform)
• Action 2: Strengthen overseas expansion (device-specific)
• Action 3: Secure human talent in the game industry
• Action 4: Maintain an environment aimed at fostering an ecosystem for creators
• Action 5: Support merchandising centered around game IP
• Action 6: Reduce costs by using cutting-edge technology

Anime

• Action 1: Gain more of a foothold in overseas markets and diversify IP development
• Action 2: Encourage the acquisition and training of young talent
• Action 3: Improve profitability to establish an environment that supports creative work
• Action 4: Promote regional industrial development
• Action 5: Streamline the production process

Manga

• Action 1: Maintain anti-piracy measures, strengthen distribution of legal content, and improve overseas sales channels
• Action 2: Organize various kinds of overseas data (statistics, legal information, taxation, others)
• Action 3: Build a support system for creators
• Action 4: Reduce costs by using cutting-edge technology
• Action 5: Provide high-value-added experiences through merchandising and cross-media franchising, and contribute to regional revitalization

Akamatsu is the prolific manga creator of A.I. Love You, Love Hina, Negima! Magister Negi Magi, and UQ Holder! Magister Negi Magi! 2, and other titles. After ending UQ Holder! Magister Negi Magi! 2, Akamatsu ran for and won his bid for the Japanese House of Councilors in 2022. In November 2024, he was appointed as the Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Reconstruction.

Sources: Ken Akamatsu's X/Twitter account, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry