The anime industry, despite recent unprecedented growth across the board thanks to worldwide fans diving further into the medium, is still struggling with some major issues
The document in question was released by the United Nations General Assembly’s Human Rights Council. Titled “Report of The Working Group on The Issue of Human Rights And Transactional Corporations And Other Business Enterprises,” the report examines many different aspects of the pop culture industry in Japan. On top of the anime industry, the Working Group also explored the idol industry and how “young talent” is coerced into signing contracts that are unfair for the future idols.
The Working Group details how studios are not receiving punishment for these penalties, while also noting that anime creators, much like idols, will routinely sign contracts that “inadequately protect their intellectual property rights.” The U.N. also notes the labor shortage plaguing Japan and states in no uncertain terms that should these issues persist, they could very likely result in the “potential collapse of this industry.