This photo illustration shows books from the popular ‘Dragon Ball’ manga series on a shelf in a store in downtown Tokyo on March 8, 2024. — AFP picTOKYO, June 5 ― Pop-culture powerhouse Japan wants to expand its overseas market for video games, manga and anime fourfold to US$130 billion in about a decade, the government has said.In its revised “Cool Japan” strategy released yesterday, the government said it aims to boost exports of these cultural assets to ¥20 trillion by 2033.
“In recent years, content like anime and manga has played an extremely important role in attracting bigger and bigger young audiences abroad, serving as their 'gateway' to Japan,” the strategy document said.The burgeoning phenomenon of “Vtubers” ― virtual animated YouTubers ― playing video games is also helping to boost Japan's international soft power, the strategy said.
Combining these sectors' growth with related industries including fashion, cosmetics and inbound tourism, Japan is targeting an economic benefit of ¥50 trillion by 2033. The strategy also includes plans to stiffen a crackdown on piracy websites that illegally distribute anime and manga for free in languages including English and Vietnamese.
“Strengthening measures against piracy websites is essential to expanding the global market,” it said, warning that some of their advertising revenue can go to criminal syndicates.