At a meeting held at the end of 2024, the ministers of Foreign Affairs of Japan and China They reached ten key agreements to strengthen cultural tieshighlighting an approach to the joint production of audiovisual works. Among the most prominent agreements, both parties agreed to promote the joint creation of anime, Live-action series and documentaries for transmission and distribution. This also aims to solve common problems related to cultural policy, such as transparency in the distribution of Japanese contents in China, antipyretary measures and the creation of a safe environment for creators in both countries.
The collaboration promises significant benefits for both nations. Japan seeks to take advantage of the huge Chinese market, one of the largest in the world, and access a system that offers preferential treatment to their productions. The films recorded under the Japan-China agreement are not included in the strict share of foreign films allowed in Chinese cinemas, which represents economic advantages for Japanese producers.
Examples such as the box office success of “Conan Detective: Black Iron Submarine“, Which raised 22.9 million dollars in China, and“The First Slam Dunk“, With 93 million dollars, they demonstrate the lucrative potential of this market for the anime industry.
But not everything is good news, Japanese producers face challenges due to opacity in content regulations in China, where works must pass reviews by the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA). These reviews, which can take up to 50 days, have hindered the simultaneous distribution of anime with Japan, reducing potential licensing income by up to 80% according to industry executives (This is due to the fact that streaming delay makes most prefer to see it through piracy before reading spoilers on social networks).
The signing of the agreement could also mark a change towards more stable conditions for the animators, which would benefit both parties. China has begun to make certain restrictions more flexible, allowing the projection of previously limited films, such as “My Neighbor Totoro” in 2018 and “Spirited Away” in 2019, decades after its premiere in Japan.
If we see it in the current context, Cooperation not only promises an increase in the quality and quantity of productions (having both Japanese and Chinese animators working on the same project), but also greater income for Japanese animatorswhose average salary in the industry remains alarmingly low, with 1,111 yen per hour (USD $ 7) according to a 2024 report.
Fountain: Anime Corner
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(Tagstotranslate) Japon
