Japan METI Readies $70 Million AI Translation Subsidy for 15 Media Companies
Updated
Updated · Kotaku · Jun 25
Japan METI Readies $70 Million AI Translation Subsidy for 15 Media Companies
1 articles · Updated · Kotaku · Jun 25
Summary
METI is reportedly preparing an 11.5 billion yen, roughly $70 million, subsidy program for 15 companies to speed overseas expansion of Japanese manga, anime and live-action content.
Nine anime and manga publishers would be encouraged to use generative AI for translation so official releases reach foreign markets faster and undercut piracy driven by unofficial translations.
Crunchyroll, Shueisha, Kodansha, Square Enix and Bandai Namco are among the companies expected to receive support, while six other recipients are said to come from music, gaming and live-action.
The ministry has not officially announced the package, but the reported plan fits Japan's broader 2026 push into AI, including 16 projects added on June 4 to a government generative AI accelerator program.