New Prime Minister Promises Industry Support as Tokyo Film Festival Gets Underway

As a seasoned movie critic with over three decades of experiencing the global cinema scene, I must admit that Japan’s film industry is nothing short of impressive. The Tokyo International Film Festival has once again proven to be a testament to the resilience and dominance of Japanese cinema, both locally and internationally.


The Tokyo International Film Festival started on Monday, mere hours following a national election that resulted in a smaller parliamentary mandate for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Yet, if Japanese citizens once more showcased their political disinterest, there are indications that the Japanese public continues to have an interest in the entertainment sector – and more hints suggest that the Japanese film industry is managing well amidst industry upheaval.

Following a robust comeback in 2023, it’s anticipated that the cinematic box office will continue to grow steadily this year. One projection suggests that the total for the year could reach $1.88 billion, thereby securing Japan’s position as the third largest global cinema market.

It’s significant for the industry’s general well-being that local films are leading the way so far this year. In fact, Japanese movies occupy nine out of the top ten spots, with “Detective Conan: The Billion Dollar Pentagram” earning a staggering $103 million. However, success for domestic filmmakers has made it more challenging for Hollywood to gain a foothold. So far, only “Inside Out 2” has managed to break into the top ten with earnings of $34.4 million.

Vivek Couto, executive director at Media Partners Asia, noted that the number of Japanese theatrical releases has returned to levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, local films are maintaining a strong presence in their domestic market, earning approximately 70% of the total box office revenue.

As a film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news! According to a recent report from my company, the total video industry revenues are projected to surge from $31.8 billion in 2024 to an impressive $34.1 billion by 2029. Interestingly, the online segment, which seems to be gaining renewed vigor, is expected to grow at a staggering annual rate of 7% over the next five years. This growth rate outpaces both inflation and the generally slow-moving Japanese economy, offering a breath of fresh air to voters accustomed to it.

The TIFFCOM event, which features rights, projects, and content alongside the festival, is gearing up for an exciting schedule. Major Japanese companies like Fuji Television and Tokyo Broadcasting Systems are anticipated to reveal more about their plans for expanding overseas – even with thousands of intellectual properties in their possession, many Japanese media firms have chosen cautious strategies due to risk concerns. At the same time, attendees can look forward to seminars discussing advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the growing outreach programs of emerging Chinese film and TV studios, such as Linmon Pictures.

Once more, the film choices for the Tokyo festival align closely with recent Chinese productions. For a second consecutive year, three Chinese films have been chosen for the main competition. This cinematic diplomacy has not only occurred before but also during the gradual improvement of Japanese-Chinese political ties. In stark contrast, China and its entertainment industry have faced isolation from certain European and U.S. entertainment institutions, particularly since the onset of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Hiroyasu Ando, in his role as festival chair, expressed regret for the delayed commencement of the opening ceremony, yet quickly clarified that this was due to a significant increase in attendees – double the number from last year. He also noted with relief that, fortunately, the gods of weather had graced us with favorable conditions.

On his first day back in the office after being re-elected as Japan’s prime minister, Ishiba Shigeru was occupied with important matters, preventing him from attending the inaugural ceremony of the festival in person. However, he expressed his well wishes through a recorded video message instead.

Speaking about it, he mentioned that the size of Japan’s content export market is similar to that of steel and semiconductor industries. He went on to say that the government is making efforts to foster a more conducive environment for the growth of Japanese content industry by nurturing upcoming creators and streamlining business deals.

He said that his government is supporting film co-productions (another area where Japanese structures have previously been notably conservative) and referenced the Japan-Italy coproduction treaty that came into effect a few months ago. (In recognition of the Italo-Japanese love-in, the festival has set “Marcello Mio,” a comedy-drama that marks the centenary of Marcello Mastroianni as its closing film, and daughter Chiara Mastroianni to serve on the main competition jury.

If Ishiba had been present, Kikuchi Rinko, the star with vibrant purple hair from anime, would have been introduced as the festival’s ambassador. She was responsible for presenting the film selections and announcing the previously declared prize winners. The action-packed yet mundane Japanese period film “11 Rebels” served as the opening title of the festival.

Walking along the crimson-hued carpet leading to the Takarazuka Theater, I found myself surrounded by an array of renowned personalities, movie makers, and influential figures from the industry.

Featured at the event this year was director Irie Yu from Japan, actress Kumi Takiuchi who played a pivotal role in the competition film “Teki Cometh”, and former festival ambassador Hashimoto Ai. The evening’s loudest applause went to Asano Tadanobu, a Japanese acting legend known for his roles in “Shogun” and numerous independent films, who graced the screen as the lead in the out-of-competition biopic “Ravens.

Additionally present were Japan’s Minister of Industry Muto Yuji, director Midi Z from China and his movie “The Unseen Sister,” prominent Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming, Malaysian director Chong Keat Aun, Afghan director Roya Sadat, and Singaporean filmmaker Eric Khoo. Notably, Khoo directed the film “Spirit World,” which he filmed in Japan this year with Catherine Deneuve, a renowned French actress, playing the leading role.

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2024-10-28 12:47