Japan is launching a production incentive programme to attract films, high-end TV and streaming projects to shoot in the country, Screen Daily reported. The incentive will be open to large-scale international film and TV projects that spend at least JPY500 million (US$3.6 million) on production costs in Japan or whose total production costs exceed JPY1 billion (US$7.2 million) and direct production costs in Japan exceed JPY200 million (US$1.4 billion).
According to Screen Daily, the amount of funding made available for overseas productions has yet to be revealed, but details are expected before the end of July, when applications will first be invited. The total might exceed the amount offered during a four-year pilot programme, which offered a rebate up to 20%, with an initial budget of JPY180 million (US$1.3 million), and benefited films such as “GI Joe: Snake Eyes” and “China’s Detective Chinatown 3.”
Moreover, the initiative also recently supported Sony Pictures’ upcoming video game adaptation “Gran Turismo,” two seasons of HBO Max’s crime drama “Tokyo Vice” and upcoming Apple TV+ dark comedy “Sunny.” The programme will also be available to projects that are scheduled for release in more than ten countries, whose direct production costs in Japan exceed JPY200 million (US$1.4 million).
Direct expenses related to film production in Japan such as payments to Japanese corporations, individuals, local governments and public organizations are eligible for funding. However, only expenses incurred after the eligibility date will be funded.
The incentive scheme was confirmed by Japan’s Visual Industry Promotion Organisation (VIPO) in cooperation with the Japan Film Commission (JFC), on behalf of the government’s ministry of economy, trade and industry (METI), which is speaking to production companies about the programme at the ongoing Cannes market.
“The pilot programme proved that attracting international projects had a significant positive impact on the economy and domestic film industry. We have finally obtained an incentive to get Japan-themed works filmed in Japan, promoting the country,” said Ruriko Sekine, Secretary General and Film Commissioner at the JFC, told Screen Daily.
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