Photo/Illutration Film director Hirokazu Kore-eda, center, attends a joint meeting of the Public-Private Council on the Content Industry and its Strategic Planning Committee for Films on Sept. 9 at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo. (Takeshi Iwashita)

Japan has established a joint public-private sector organization to promote the nation’s content industry, which includes films, anime, video games and more.

The Public-Private Council on the Content Industry, which encompasses government ministries and agencies, was established to support creators and improve working conditions through collaboration with the private sector.

This marks the first time that a public-private organization has been founded to oversee Japan’s content industry.

To start with, the council set up the Strategic Planning Committee for Films to tackle issues such as long working hours, harassment and low wages in the film industry. It will also help creators expand their works to the global market.

Data from the Cabinet Office shows that the world's content market was worth 135.6 trillion yen ($962 billion) in 2022, surpassing the semiconductor and petrochemical industries, which totaled 77 trillion yen and 89.9 trillion yen, respectively, that year.

Anime, video games and films from Japan are highly regarded internationally, making the country the third-largest market in the world.

However, working conditions in Japan’s content industry are said to be much worse than in other countries. The development of young talent is considered a major issue as well.

The council and the committee jointly held their first meeting on Sept. 9.

Film directors Hirokazu Kore-eda and Takashi Yamazaki and actor Takao Osawa were in attendance.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, “We will be building a consistent and strong support system.”

Following the meeting, Kore-eda, who holds posts both at the council and the committee, expressed his expectations for the new public-private collaboration.

“What is most important is the government’s stance, because the state should offer assistance but must not interfere with or adjust the content to be in line with its own intent,” Kore-eda said.