Report Compiled on Enhancing Fairness at Film Production Worksites

1. Background and purpose

The Japanese film industry has produced many works to date with the support of field staff who perform various jobs, but currently, an important issue is improving the trade conditions and working environments for these staff, including freelancers, so that it can continue to produce high-quality output.

A FY2019 fact-finding survey conducted by METI regarding filmmaking worksites uncovered various issues related to the trade conditions and working environments for freelancers. Approaches to solving these issues were considered by the Study Group on Future Film Production, and the results were compiled into the following two points as concrete directions for action: adopting digital tools; and enhancing fairness at film production worksites including human resource development.

This report summarizes the results of the study regarding the latter of these concrete directions (i.e., enhancing fairness at film production worksites including human resource development.).

2. Overview

Detailed studies of the issues involved in enhancing fairness at film production worksites were conducted from August 2020 to March 2021 through various bodies created for the purpose. Specifically, a preparatory committee was set up for establishing an Organization for Enhancing Fair Film Production (provisional name), and this was accompanied by working groups formed to study the following specialized areas: system design; formulating certification standards; and measures for human resource development, etc.

The results of these studies regarding fairer production worksites (including human resource development) have been compiled in relation to the following areas: definitions and standards; schemes for a film certification system implemented as one of the functions of the Organization for Enhancing Fair Film Production (provisional name); and measures for human resource development, etc. The compilation was achieved as a voluntary effort by the film industry, with participation by stakeholders in areas ranging from production to distribution.

3. Future plans

METI will continue to provide support toward developing industry guidelines aimed at making conditions at film production worksites fairer, establishing an Organization for Enhancing Fair Film Production (provisional name), and launching a film certification system.

4. Related material

• Summary of the Report on the survey aimed at enhancing fairness at film production worksites (PDF:139KB)

5. Related links

• Results of the Fact-finding Survey Targeting People Engaging in Film Production Compiled
• Study Group on Future Film Production Compiles Report

Division in Charge

Media and Content Industry Division, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau