The Japan Creator Support Fund, a government-backed national initiative now in its third year, is beginning to yield tangible international results, including awards, nominations, and co-productions across music, film, games, and the arts, while expanding opportunities for overseas performances and cross-border collaborations, as reported at the "Japan Creator Support Fund Progress Report Meeting" held on June 5, 2026, at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in Tokyo.
The event served as a platform for organizations selected under the fund's programs to present outcomes from FY2025, highlighting growing international engagement through overseas performances, participation in major international events, and cross-border collaborations. Supported projects have generated activity across 23 countries and regions, spanning Asia, Europe, and North America, with achievements including selections at the Berlin International Film Festival, Cannes Directors' Fortnight, and Annecy International Animation Film Festival, performances at London's Royal Opera House, and new collaborations between Japanese and overseas cultural organizations.
Vice Minister Shigeki Kobayashi emphasized the government's commitment to strengthening Japan's creative industries, stating that "creators and artists themselves are the source of compelling content," reaffirming the importance of sustained investment in creative talent and international exchange. The Japan Arts Council provided an overview of the fund's progress, reporting that supported projects have generated international activity across 23 countries.
Four organizations presented their projects at the meeting. The Japan Performing Arts Solidarity Network introduced the SOIL Fellowship Program, an initiative to cultivate producers and strengthen the international positioning of Japanese performing arts, with participants taking part in pitching events in London and Edinburgh. Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre presented TMT Gear – The Creator Support Project, which included on-the-job training during overseas performances and 8K recording initiatives. KINEMA CIRTUS reported on the Global Anime Challenge (GAC), providing learning opportunities for emerging animation talent through domestic workshops and overseas internships. Jikei Gakuen School Corporation introduced Immersive Media Lab++, an immersive content creator development program delivered in collaboration with XR company STYLY.
Key FY2025 results under the Creator & Artist Development Support Program included 544 creators supported, 165 overseas performances/exhibitions, and total attendance of 873,761 across domestic and international events. Under the Support Program for Cultural Facilities Function Enhancement, 133 creators were supported, with 5 overseas performances and total attendance of 1,900,597. The Creator Support Program saw educational organizations conducting overseas study visits to approximately 15 countries to understand global demand for Japanese content.
Building on recent international successes, various organizations are expected to launch full-scale overseas activities in FY2026. Notable upcoming events include Kichijitsu Saikai at the Beitou Art Festival in Taiwan in August 2026, WITH LiMBO in Slovakia in September 2026, and Syuto Kanazawa's exhibition "Ethnography of the Body and Material" in Venice from May to November 2026. Recent successes include the National Ballet of Japan being named Outstanding Company at the UK's National Dance Awards 2025, becoming the first Japanese ballet company to receive the honor, following its performances of Giselle at London's Royal Opera House. Shochiku's European tour of How an Onnagata Is Made in April 2026 presented six performances across Paris, Rome, and Cologne.
In film and animation, Hanarokushō ga Akeru Hi ni wa was selected for the Competition section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, marking a significant milestone for Japanese animation. Housenka was selected for the Feature Film Competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025. Eri, directed by Honami Yano, was selected for Directors' Fortnight at the 79th Cannes Film Festival. The exhibition The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest at Mori Art Museum attracted 236,705 visitors and is scheduled to tour Asia in 2026.
For further information, visit the official Japan Creator Support Fund website at https://creator.ntj.jac.go.jp.
