Forza Horizon 6 cultural consulting showcased at CEDEC 2026, Japan

The CEDEC 2026 conference was held at Pacifico Yokohama North from July 22‑24, bringing together game developers, engineers and industry experts. Business consultant and cultural advisor Kyōko Yamashita, a former Square Enix marketing assistant, explained how she guided the UK studio Playground Games in accurately representing Japanese culture for the upcoming racing title Forza Horizon 6. She described her role in advising on visual design, sound, scenario and even on‑site research trips across Tokyo and surrounding areas to ensure the game’s depiction of everyday Japanese life felt authentic rather than a tourist postcard.

Another session at the same conference, presented by attorney Shin Nomoto of City Yuwa Law Office, addressed the growing risk of cultural appropriation in video games. Using examples such as Kim Kardashian’s “Kimono” brand controversy, the use of the Islamic call to prayer in the anime Demon Slayer, and mis‑representation of traditional instruments in Ghost of Tsushima, the talk outlined legal, reputational and social consequences and offered practical steps for developers to avoid cultural missteps.