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Around 2003-2005, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) produces some
documents highlighting the importance of manga and anime to promote Japan
culture and international/business relations overseas.

The now unavailable online issue of Jetro Business Topics, "Japan's Soft Power
Moves into the Limelight" (2 Sept 2004) by Tsutomu Sugiura, Marubeni Research
Institute director at time, stated:

> If, for instance, children overseas learn to love anime, they may continue
> to feel a fondness for things Japanese as they grow older. And it is
> possible that such friendly feelings will translate into business deals
> involving Japan after they become adults.

directly citing the [Soft Power](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_power)
concept by [Joseph Nye](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Nye). Similar
concepts are [expressed
here](http://www.marubeni.com/dbps_data/_material_/maruco_en/data/research/pdf/0404_a.pdf)
by the same Tsutomu Sugiura, identifying the phenomena as "third wave of
Japonism", where animation and videogames are:

> capturing the essence of Japanese character and lifestyle disseminates
> Japanese culture and Japanese soul to young people the world over

A document produced by JETRO Economic Research Department on March 2005 titled
"[Cool Japan's Economy Warms
Up](http://www.jetro.go.jp/en/reports/market/pdf/2005_27_r.pdf)" associate it
with the "Gross National Cool" cultural index theorized by Douglas McGray, and
soft power concept is cited again.

After 7 years, are these concept actually implemented by the Japanese
administration? Are there documents related to direct intervention by the
Japanese government to spread or boost the anime and manga industry overseas
aiming to these goals in international relations?


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question
anime-production
Are anime and manga subsidized or actively used by Japanese government to promote Japanese culture/relations internationally?


The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has sponsored many programs
that uses anime to promote culture and
[tourism](http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/animemap/index.html). Last year, they
published an English-language "Japan Anime Map" that highlights the locales in
the country with ties to anime.

The map provides info on the various real-life settings in animes such as
Lucky Star, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, true tears, and Summer Wars.

It also lists anime-related museums and theme parks such as Sanrio Puroland,
Studio Ghibli Museum, and the Kyoto International Manga Museum.

Info on anime-related shopping areas such as Tokyo's Akihabara, Nagoya's Osu
Electric Town, and Osaka's Nipponbashi (aka Den Den Town). Also included are
shopping suggestions for souvenirs to bring back such as Gundam plastic
models, soft vinyl toys, and Nendoroid figures.

Naturally it also provides insight on on otaku culture topics such as cosplay,
figures, and games, and also anime-related events such as Comic Market and
World Cosplay Summit

The JNTO had previously collaborated with the Hakone Tourist Association to
produce the "Evangelion Hakone Instrumentality Map: English Version," and the
"Cool Japan Poster: Hakone" to cover the town of Hakone near Tokyo.

One of the more noticeable ones is the [Young Animator Training
Project](http://animemirai.jp/).

In 2010, the Agency of Cultural Affairs of Japan invested 214 million yen
(over 2 million USD) in the so-called "Young Animator Training Project" and
entrusted the execution of the project to the [Japan Animation Creators
Association](http://www.janica.jp/) (JaniCA).

In the following years JaniCA produced several original anime in cooperation
with different production studios, continuing to receive money from the
Japanese government. Each of the single episode anime was 23 minutes long.
Young animators receive on-the-job-trainings under the supervision of
professional anime creators as the works are shown on TV and/or at anime
events.

One of the reasons that the Agency for Cultural Affairs is supporting this
initiative is the
[concern](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-06-06/japan-animator-
labor-group-legally-incorporates) that more of the Japanese animation process
is being [outsourced
overseas](http://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/03/state-of-the-anime-
industry-2009.html) \-- thus leading to a decline in opportunities to teach
animation techniques within Japan.

For those interested,
[here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ea_blBuJ_jw) is
the trailer for the four shorts for Anime Mirai 2013 Young Animator Training
Project, scheduled to premiere March 2.


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answer