Human resource development in manga and international collaboration

　The control committee of Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology “Anime/Manga Industry/Academic/Government Collaboration Consortium” was held recently. The policy handles curriculum development, digital production support, and career advancement support for human resource development in anime and manga. I serve as the chairperson of the committee.

　We are especially rushing the digital compatibility.

　Digital books and magazines sales were ¥10.13 billion in 2013. Among those, comics were ¥7.31 billion. 70% of digital books are manga. This is the transition period for professional artists to move to digital. Countermeasures and support are necessary. We want to make a structure with a place for educating digital animation, production, and editing that connects to business. Takeshiba CiP would also like to help.

　“Digital Manga Campus Match” is also in progress. It is a plan to produce everything between new talent scouting, nurturing, and commercialization with the participation of manga artists including Ms. Machiko Satonaka, comic editorial departments from 10 companies including Kodansha, Shueisha, and Shogakukan, and 70 vocational schools and universities. I serve as the executive committee chairperson.

　Japan is an advanced region of manga, but raising the standard globally by international collaboration is also important. We hosted the symposium of “Tokyo International Comic Festival” on the day of the committee. In addition to the participants from France, Italy, Spain, and Russia, Mr. Tetsuya Chiba and Ms. Machiko Satonaka attended. They discussed the globalization and digitization of manga.

　40% of all manga in France is Japanese manga. 20% of imported manga in Spain is from Japan. There is a report on the increase in number of people who learn Japanese in Italy, due to the impact of manga. Russia is a little late to the game, since overseas culture started flowing in after the system changed from Soviet Union to Russia.

　However, paper culture is strong in all cases, and there are only few e-books and digital manga, which are yet to be spread. Japan is leading in this area.

　Mr. Tetsuya Chiba pointed out that we are at the major turning point for digitization. Ms. Machiko Satonaka also recognized that the transition to digital is essential because of the issues with paper resources and distribution, and she pointed out the pros of digitization, such as the availability of rich tools that make it easier to become a professional manga artist. However, both expressed their concerns about copyright and piracy issues.

　Issues are common around this area, but there was little international exchange. It left a strong impression on me when Mr. Tetsuya Chiba focused on the global nature of manga, citing the quote of Mr. Takashi Yanase “Countries in which people read manga are peaceful,” and promoted the international discussion in manga area.