The overseas content market has doubled in 10 years

 ■ The overseas content market has doubled in 10 years HUMANMEDIA has published a database of the Japanese and global content market. Let’s take a look.The overseas market for Japanese content has doubled in ten years to exceed ¥2 trillion in 2020. In 2011 this figure was ¥865.3 billion, but ballooned to ¥1.4124 trillion in 2016. By 2020, this figure is expected to reach ¥2.208 trillion. The so-called Cool Japan Policy aims to expand this market.The anime sector represents the largest share of this overseas market. The sector accounted for...

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The risks of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology

 ■ The risks of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology The Digital Risk Association, of which I act as Chair, held the 2018 Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Forum. Discussions centered on extremely dry topics, such as the risks surrounding cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology and initial coin offerings (ICO). Nevertheless, the venue was instantly packed with 700 attendees, despite the fact we had not actively publicized the event. This illustrates the level of interest in this field. Let’s turn to cryptocurrencies first. Bitcoin has...

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Taking broadcasting reform from debate to action

 ■ Taking broadcasting reform from debate to action The Regulatory Reform Council submitted 120 recommendations in 7 fields to Prime Minister Abe, including in the field of reform of the broadcasting system. The central pillars of these recommendations are constructing a new platform, encouraging the entry of new players and laying the foundations for local bureau operations. Subsequently, the MIC compiled reports from the Broadcasting Issues Investigatory Panel and the Future of Broadcasting Subcommittee. These engaged in a deeper consideration...

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Learning of Tomorrow has begun

 ■ Learning of Tomorrow has begun A symposium was held at Keio University on the establishment of the “Learning of Tomorrow” association.While teaching digital education and programming is now part of the curriculum at elementary school, there is a growing and serious shortage of human resources in IT and AI. This is an effort to construct a private collaborative framework that combines education and technology to provide recurrent training for preschool aged children to adults and those who wish to brush up their skills. Its purpose...

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Yoshimoto Kogyo announces its vision for an Asian Entertainment Platform

 ■ Yoshimoto Kogyo announces its vision for an Asian Entertainment Platform Yoshimoto Kogyo used the Okinawa International Movie Festival as a stage to announce the establishment of its vision for the Okinawa Asian Entertainment Platform.In the preamble of the concept paper, it announced that “This Japan-made platform will allow expansion into Asia. It will introduce Asia to what Japan’s regions have to offer, and vice-versa. We aim to construct a platform to connect Asia with Okinawa, Japan through entertainment content.” This will become...

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Yunus Yoshimoto Social Action gets underway

 ■ Yunus Yoshimoto Social Action gets underway Yoshimoto Kogyo and Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Muhammad Yunus have together established Yunus Yoshimoto Social Action Co., Ltd.This is an attempt to solve social issues by means of business using the ‘social business’ model, of which Professor Yunus is a great proponent. They hope to solve issues and create employment by starting businesses which can solve social issues such as poverty, unemployment and environmental destruction.Yunus’ Grameen Bank provides small loans on trust alone,...

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A strategic vision and plan for intellectual property

 ■ A strategic vision and plan for intellectual property The Prime Minister’s office has an Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters, whose members are the Prime Minister and his ministers. This body, in which I participated as chair, set out both a strategic vision and a concrete plan for intellectual property.The main thrust is as follows:1. Fostering human resourcesFostering human resources for intellectual property and Cool Japan2. Promoting prospective creationA content-creation ecosystem.Strengthening anti-piracy measures3. Design...

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