Tokyo International Film Festival Opens With PM Pledge on Exports
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told the opening ceremony the government aims to lift overseas revenue from Japanese content to 20 trillion yen by 2033.
The Tokyo International Film Festival opened with a ceremony at which Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged government backing for Japanese content overseas and the main competition jury was introduced, according to deadline.com.
In a video message, Takaichi said the government aims to lift overseas revenue from Japanese content to 20 trillion yen by 2033. She said the content sector has been designated one of 17 Strategic Sectors under the Japan Growth Strategy.
Cabinet minister Ryosei Akazawa said the government is spending around 55 billion yen this fiscal year to support the industry. He cited Kingdom 5: The Clash Of Souls, released in Japan in July 2026 and grossing more than 6 billion yen to date, and Godzilla Minus Zero, screening in the festival's Centrepiece section, as examples of Japanese content boosting exports.
The main competition jury is headed by Australian filmmaker Rolf de Heer and also includes Oh Jungwan, Yov Moor and Makiko Watanabe. Alex Lo, also named to the jury, was unable to attend.
The festival opened with Sukiyaki, directed by Takahisa Zeze and starring Junichi Okada, Tori Matsuzaka and Nana Seino. The ceremony took place in heavy rain caused by a typhoon offshore.
Quick answers
Which film opened the Tokyo International Film Festival?
<em>Sukiyaki</em>, directed by Takahisa Zeze and starring Junichi Okada, Tori Matsuzaka and Nana Seino.
Who heads the main competition jury?
Australian filmmaker Rolf de Heer. The jury also includes Oh Jungwan, Yov Moor and Makiko Watanabe.
What target did Japan's Prime Minister set for content exports?
Sanae Takaichi said the government aims to lift overseas revenue from Japanese content to 20 trillion yen by 2033.