Anime Industry Balances Global Reach with Cultural Sensitivity

Japan's anime industry is booming globally, but this success comes with challenges. The growing global reach of anime has created tension between creative expression and cultural sensitivity.

The anime 'Chainsmoker Cat' was halted in Hong Kong due to concerns over tobacco advertising. The production committee confirmed that they are discussing the matter with their local licensee to comply with local laws.

The Japanese government aims to increase content sales overseas from 5.8 trillion yen in 2023 to 20 trillion yen by 2033, designating anime as a core industry. However, this requires navigating cultural and religious sensitivities that may be unfamiliar to Japanese creators.

Ryo Koarai, an associate professor at Miyagi Gakuin Women's University, notes that anime is now reaching viewers who have little exposure to Japanese culture, making it essential for creators to consider local culture, religion, laws, and ethical standards. Social media has also made criticism from overseas more visible in Japan.

Japanese production companies are stepping up efforts to identify potentially sensitive material. Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. adopted a group-wide policy on ethics and expression and established an ethics subcommittee that reviews issues concerning products and creative works.