METI is considering subsidies for about 15 content companies to fund AI translation and overseas sales efforts, targeting manga, anime, gaming, music and live-action groups.
The program aims to lift overseas subscriptions for selected companies from 100 million to 300 million and triple overseas sales to 20 trillion yen by 2033.
Piracy is a central driver: Japanese media companies lost 5.7 trillion yen in 2025, up from 2 trillion yen in 2022, with losses reaching 10.4 trillion yen including related merchandise infringement.
Expected beneficiaries include publishers such as Shueisha and Kodansha, game companies like Square Enix, and anime players including Crunchyroll and Bandai Namco, though METI has not announced the final list.
The plan fits Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's broader push to invest in the content industry as one of 17 priority sectors.
Will Japan's multi-billion yen bet on AI translation save its anime industry or erase its cultural soul?
As Japan battles piracy with subsidies, could its plan unintentionally sideline the very creators it aims to protect?
Japan’s “New Cool Japan Strategy”: Tripling Creative Content Exports to ¥20 Trillion by 2033 Amid Global Competition and Piracy Threats
Overview
Japan has launched 'The New Cool Japan Strategy' to boost its creative industries and make them a key driver of economic growth. The plan aims to triple content exports to ¥20 trillion by 2033, building on recent successes like overseas sales surpassing semiconductor exports and blockbuster anime films achieving record revenues. By increasing government funding, supporting global expansion, and leveraging technology such as AI-driven translation, Japan seeks to overcome challenges like piracy and workforce shortages. This ambitious strategy positions Japanese culture and creativity at the center of the nation’s future economic and global influence.