The Japan Creator Support Fund, a government-backed initiative now in its third year, is yielding measurable international results, including prestigious awards, festival selections, and cross-border collaborations, according to a progress report meeting held on June 5, 2026, at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in Tokyo.
During the meeting, representatives from the Japan Arts Council reported that supported projects have generated international activity across 23 countries and regions, spanning Asia, Europe, North America, and beyond. Key achievements in fiscal year 2025 included selections at the Berlin International Film Festival, Cannes Directors' Fortnight, and Annecy International Animation Film Festival, performances at London's Royal Opera House, and new collaborations between Japanese and overseas cultural organizations. The fund, delivered through the Japan Arts Council, aims to nurture emerging creators and strengthen cultural institutions while promoting international exchange and overseas expansion.
Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Shigeki Kobayashi opened the meeting, emphasizing that "creators and artists themselves are the source of compelling content" and reaffirming the government's commitment to sustained investment in creative talent and international exchange.
Four organizations presented their projects during the meeting. The Japan Performing Arts Solidarity Network introduced the SOIL Fellowship Program, which in FY2025 sent participants to pitching events in London and Edinburgh to enhance the global presence of Japanese theatre. Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre presented TMT Gear – The Creator Support Project, which involved on-the-job training during overseas performances and 8K recording initiatives. KINEMA CIRTUS reported on the Global Anime Challenge (GAC), providing internships at overseas animation studios and workshops. Jikei Gakuen School Corporation – Tokyo Communication Arts College introduced the Immersive Media Lab++, an immersive content creator development program in collaboration with XR company STYLY, conducting study visits to the United States.
Key statistics from the fund's support programs include 544 creators supported under the Creator & Artist Development Support Program, with 165 overseas performances and exhibitions reaching a total attendance of 873,761. The Support Program for Cultural Facilities Function Enhancement supported 133 creators and achieved 1,900,597 total attendance across domestic and international events. The Creator Support Program (Program Development & Implementation) facilitated overseas study visits to approximately 15 countries, including African nations, and launched practical training programs.
Notable international successes include the National Ballet of Japan's performances of Giselle at London's Royal Opera House in July 2025, which led to the company being named Outstanding Company at the UK's National Dance Awards 2025, the first Japanese ballet company to receive this honor. In animation, Hanarokushō ga Akeru Hi niwa was selected for the Competition section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, while Housenka was selected for the Feature Film Competition at Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025. Eri, directed by Honami Yano, was selected for Directors' Fortnight at the 79th Cannes Film Festival. Shochiku's kabuki production How an Onnagata Is Made undertook its first European tour in eight years, performing in Paris, Rome, and Cologne.
Looking ahead to FY2026, 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 is scheduled for performances in Slovakia in September 2026. Syuto Kanazawa will present Ethnography of the Body and Material in Venice from May to November 2026. The fund's official website provides updated information on selected organizations, upcoming exhibitions, and creator profiles at https://creator.ntj.jac.go.jp.
