Japan Sets 20 Trillion Yen Goal for Entertainment Exports

Ken Akamatsu, the manga creator turned politician known for Love Hina and Negima!, has been presenting the Japanese government’s plan to significantly grow the country’s entertainment exports. At the Tokyo Game Show this year, Akamatsu outlined a five-year action plan from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) aiming to boost annual entertainment sales overseas to 20 trillion yen, around US$130 billion. METI first unveiled the plan in June and it is available on the ministry’s website.

Akamatsu attended the Tokyo Game Show on its first business day and toured the Koei Tecmo and CAPCOM booths, the Game Academy corner, and government-supported exhibits from the Agency for Cultural Affairs and METI. At a social gathering that evening, he reconnected with industry figures who had worked on Love Hina video games nearly 20 years ago, many of whom have since reached senior positions at their companies.

The action plan addresses video games, anime, and manga with separate priority areas for each. For video games, the plan calls for strengthening overseas expansion across platforms and devices, securing talent for the industry, supporting creator ecosystems, expanding merchandise around game IP, and reducing costs through new technology. For anime, priorities include growing market share overseas, diversifying IP development, attracting and training young talent, improving profitability to sustain creative work, supporting regional development, and streamlining production. For manga, the plan focuses on anti-piracy measures, better overseas distribution, stronger support systems for creators, cutting-edge technology to reduce costs, and promoting high-value experiences through merchandise and cross-media projects.

Akamatsu is the creator of A.I. Love You, Love Hina, Negima! Magister Negi Magi, and UQ Holder! Magister Negi Magi! 2. After concluding UQ Holder!, he ran for and won a seat in Japan’s House of Councilors in 2022. In November 2024 he was appointed Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

My take: The ambition here is striking. A 20 trillion yen overseas target is a bold number, and it is genuinely interesting to see a working manga creator shaping the policies meant to support the industry. Whether the action steps are specific enough to move the needle is a fair question, but the direction feels right.