Show Biz Japan! August ,2005

Japanese Entertainment News from JETRO

Japanese films and animation are widely favored in Asia, Europe, and the United States, and are now creating business opportunities in Hollywood. Japanese digital games are ubiquitous. Japanese popular music is gradually finding acceptance by American audiences.

In response to this situation, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) has established a program called the Entertainment Platform of Japan (EPJ) to promote the export of Japanese content including motion picture, anime, music, and video games. This newsletter is sent out through the EPJ program to share with you the latest trends related to Japanese entertainment spotlighting Anime and Films in this 1st issue.

Please use the Japanese entertainment news to help create your new business!

Our next newsletter will be sent out in September 2005.

Special Feature

The Very Japanese Spirit Travels in the Hollywood’s Movie Castle
- Business Development of Hayao Miyazaki’s Animated Films-

• What is Studio Ghibli?
• How Miyazaki and Suzuki Feel about Hollywood?
• What is the Deal between Tokuma’s Ghibli and Disney?
• “Howl’s Moving Castle” in the U.S.
• Ghibli Anime Makes a Good Show in DVD Market
• What’s Next from Ghibli?

Top Stories

• Another Grudge, Takashi Shimizu’s J-Horror Theater
• 2005 Blockbuster Films in Japan
• Remakes of Japanese Films Booming
• Come to Tokyo for Film Shooting! Can We Bring James Bond to Hokkaido?
• Japanese Manga Takes Humongous Step
• Cartoon DIVA, Puffy AmiYumi, Touring the East Coast
• Japanese Anime Live-Action Films Reach Peak
• What is Up with “The Transformers”?
• Anime Expo Has Never Stopped Growing
• Comic-Con in New York City Next February
• Anime DVD Sales Overcome the Recent Slump in the Market
• Fusion of Broadcasting and IT: Japanese TV Programs Go Online
• “CJ” Mark on Legal Goods against 708,000 Pirated Goods

Actor to Watch

• Hiroyuki Sanada with a Contemporary Samurai Spirit

Event Report

• Vast Business Opportunities at the Licensing International in NYC
• Japanese Film Buzz with JETRO at the AFM!

About EPJ

The EPJ (Entertainment Platform of JAPAN) is an exciting initiative aimed at fostering ties between the entertainment industries of Japan and the U.S.