Japan content strategy IP360 faces criticism over budget requirements

Japan’s new IP360 national strategy, aimed at increasing overseas sales of Japanese content to 20 trillion yen by 2033, is facing scrutiny from industry professionals. While the policy includes a 50 percent rebate for international productions, new minimum budget requirements may exclude a significant portion of the market.

Under the new guidelines overseen by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), eligible live-action productions must have a minimum budget of 800 million yen (approximately $5.1 million). Alex Boden, a producer for ‘Tokyo Vice’, warns that this threshold excludes most independent films and many European co-productions. Boden noted that few Japanese producers have experience managing budgets of this scale, which could hinder the ability of local crews to gain experience on international projects.

Furthermore, industry experts have raised concerns regarding the lack of transparency in application procedures and selection criteria. Boden suggested that the current opacity and the lack of English translations for the system act as barriers to attracting foreign productions, potentially forcing filmmakers to reduce their time spent filming in Japan to meet spending constraints.