The Japan Creator Support Fund, a government-backed national initiative now in its third year, is yielding tangible international outcomes for Japan's next generation of creators and artists, according to a progress report meeting held on June 5, 2026, at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in Tokyo. The event showcased results from FY2025, highlighting awards, nominations, co-productions, and expanded opportunities for overseas performances and cross-border collaborations across music, film, games, visual arts, and performing arts.
The Fund, supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and delivered through the Japan Arts Council, aims to nurture emerging creators and strengthen cultural institutions while promoting international exchange. As of FY2025, supported projects have generated international activity across 23 countries and regions, including Ireland, the United States, Italy, India, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, South Korea, China, Germany, France, Vietnam, Malta, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Spain, Argentina, and Portugal.
Notable achievements include selections at the Berlin International Film Festival, Cannes Directors' Fortnight, and Annecy International Animation Film Festival, as well as performances at London's Royal Opera House. The National Ballet of Japan, under artistic direction of Miyako Yoshida, was named Outstanding Company at the UK's National Dance Awards 2025, becoming the first Japanese ballet company to receive this honor, following its performances of Giselle at the Royal Opera House in July 2025.
In film, Hanarokushō ga Akeru Hi ni, supported through the "Film Frontier" program, was selected for the Competition section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, competing for the Golden Bear. Directed by Japanese painter Yoshitoshi Shinomiya, this feature animation marks a significant milestone for Japanese animation. Another supported film, Housenka, was selected for the Feature Film Competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025. Additionally, Eri, directed by Honami Yano under the "New Way, New World" program, was selected for Directors' Fortnight at the 79th Cannes Film Festival.
Four organizations presented their project progress at the meeting. The Japan Performing Arts Solidarity Network introduced the SOIL Fellowship Program, which in FY2025 had participants pitch at events in London and Edinburgh. Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre presented TMT Gear, which included on-the-job training during overseas performances and 8K recording initiatives. KINEMA CIRTUS reported on the Global Anime Challenge, where participants attended workshops and internships at overseas animation studios. Jikei Gakuen School Corporation introduced Immersive Media Lab++, an XR content creator development program in collaboration with STYLY, which conducted overseas research visits and plans to launch year-round courses in FY2026.
Key FY2025 figures from the Creator & Artist Development Support Program include 544 creators supported, 301 advisors involved, 165 overseas performances/exhibitions, and total attendance of 873,761 across events. The Support Program for Cultural Facilities Function Enhancement supported 133 creators, with 5 overseas performances/exhibitions and total attendance of 1,900,597. The Creator Support Program has supported educational organizations preparing new departments, with overseas study visits to approximately 15 countries, including African nations.
Looking ahead to FY2026, several organizations are planning full-scale overseas activities. Kichijitsu Saikai, a work from ROHM Theatre Kyoto's program, will be presented at the Beitou Art Festival in Taiwan in August 2026. WITH LiMBO, from Aichi Prefectural Art Theater's dance project, is scheduled for performance in Slovakia in September 2026. Syuto Kanazawa will present the exhibition Ethnography of the Body and Material — Slowness and Depth in an Accelerated Society in Venice, Italy, from May to November 2026.
The Fund's impact extends to audience engagement, as seen with Mori Art Museum's exhibition The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest, which attracted 236,705 visitors—160% of its target—and is scheduled to tour Asia in 2026. The progress report meeting opened with remarks from Vice Minister Shigeki Kobayashi, who emphasized that "creators and artists themselves are the source of compelling content," reaffirming the government's commitment to sustained investment in creative talent and international exchange. For more details, the official Japan Creator Support Fund website provides updated information on selected organizations and upcoming events: https://creator.ntj.jac.go.jp.
