Press Conference by Minister Saito (Excerpt)

*Note: This is a provisional translation for reference purposes only.

9:44 to 9:58 a.m.
Friday, June 14, 2024
Press Conference Room, METI Main Building

Opening Remarks

None

Question-and-Answer Session

New Cool Japan Strategy

Q: I would like to ask you about the Cool Japan Strategy.
On June 4, the government announced the new Cool Japan Strategy. The strategy pointed out the challenges for the initiatives so far conducted. The various challenges identified include the lack of a PDCA cycle and content sectors’ focus on the domestic market, for example. Please tell me about your thoughts on those challenges and the policy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), if any, for addressing them in the future.

A: The new Cool Japan Strategy, announced by the Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters, provides a review of the developments since the formulation of the Cool Japan Strategy in 2019.

Among the major challenges indicated in the review are the inadequate development of the environment for creators’ activities, shortages of talent like creators using digital technology and producers acting as bridges for foreign businesses, and the limited scope of inter-sectoral and cross-sectoral collaboration initiatives, such as taking advantage of content to attract inbound tourists and to promote exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products. I believe that it is necessary to firmly address those challenges on a government-wide basis.

In light of the review, the new strategy announced at this time indicates policy directions such as: developing the necessary transaction and production environments that contribute to appropriate return of profits to creators in various content sectors; reinforcing the pool of talent supporting the content industry including enhancing the training of producers with practical skills; and expanding cross-sectoral and intersectoral collaboration such as using animated films, manga comics and food as springboards for information dissemination and promotion efforts.

In addition, the strategy sets forth the goal of creating economic effects worth more than 50 trillion yen by 2033 in industries related to Cool Japan.

In light of that policy, METI will provide a production cost subsidy conditional on the improvement of the production environment, fully raise awareness about the guidelines for promoting appropriate subcontracting transactions, support the training of creators who use digital technology, promote strategic overseas expansion using foreign business establishments, and secure global distribution channels using the Cool Japan Fund.