The Japan Creator Support Fund Progress Report Meeting, held on June 5, 2026, at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Tokyo, showcased the international achievements of Japan's next generation of creators. The fund, a government-backed initiative supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and administered by the Japan Arts Council, aims to nurture emerging talent and strengthen cultural institutions. Now in its third year, the fund has supported projects that generated international activity across 23 countries and regions, including Asia, Europe, and North America.
Key achievements for fiscal year 2025 included selections at the Berlin International Film Festival, Cannes Directors' Fortnight, and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Performances at London's Royal Opera House and international touring projects highlighted the growing global presence of Japanese artists. The fund also facilitated new collaborations between Japanese and overseas cultural organizations.
During the meeting, Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Shigeki Kobayashi emphasized the government's commitment to creative industries, stating that creators are the source of compelling content. Four organizations presented their projects: the Japan Performing Arts Solidarity Network's SOIL Fellowship Program, which involved pitching events in London and Edinburgh; Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre's TMT Gear project, which included on-the-job training during overseas performances; KINEMA CIRTUS's Global Anime Challenge, offering internships at overseas animation studios; and Jikei Gakuen School Corporation's Immersive Media Lab++, an immersive content creator program in collaboration with XR company STYLY.
The fund's Support Program for Creator & Artist Development supported 544 creators with 301 advisors, resulting in 165 overseas performances and exhibitions attended by over 873,000 people. The Support Program for Cultural Facilities Function Enhancement supported 133 creators and 88 advisors, with overseas performances in eight countries. The Creator Support Program facilitated overseas study visits to approximately 15 countries, including participation in the Berlin International Film Festival and MIT Reality Hack.
Notable international successes include the National Ballet of Japan's performance of Giselle at London's Royal Opera House, which led to the company being named Outstanding Company at the UK's National Dance Awards 2025. Shochiku's kabuki production How an Onnagata Is Made embarked on its first European tour in eight years, performing in Paris, Rome, and Cologne. In film, Hanarokushō ga Akeru Hi niwa was selected for the Competition section of the Berlin International Film Festival, and Housenka was selected for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Additionally, Eri, directed by Honami Yano, was selected for Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival.
Looking ahead to fiscal year 2026, several organizations plan to launch full-scale overseas activities. ROHM Theatre Kyoto's Kichijitsu Saikai will be presented at the Beitou Art Festival in Taiwan in August 2026. Aichi Prefectural Art Theater's WITH LiMBO will be performed in Slovakia in September 2026. Syuto Kanazawa's exhibition Ethnography of the Body and Material will be presented in Venice, Italy, from May to November 2026.
For more information, visit the official Japan Creator Support Fund website at https://creator.ntj.jac.go.jp.
