June 22, 2026
Secretariat of Intellectual Property Strategy
Headquarters, Cabinet Office
Japan Fair Trade Commission
Content such as anime, music, broadcast programs, films, video games, and manga is a valuable asset of which Japan can be proud. The Content Industry Revitalization Strategy (formulated and stipulated in the “Grand Design and Action Plan for a New Form of Capitalism 2024 Revised Version,” approved by the Cabinet on June 21, 2024) states that “an environment in which the creativity of Japan’s creators can be maximized will be developed” and that “a survey on the trading environment for creators in the field of film and animation production will be conducted.”
Based on this, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (hereinafter referred to as the “JFTC”) conducted separate fact-finding surveys concerning the fields of trade related to film and anime production, and in December 2025, published the “Report on the Fact-finding Survey on the Trading Environment for Creators at Film Production Sites” and the “Fact-finding survey on the Trading Environment for Creators in Anime Production Survey.”
Subsequently, the “Grand Design and Action Plan for a New Form of Capitalism 2025 Revised Version” (approved by the Cabinet on June 13, 2025) stated that “based on the survey results, we will formulate guidelines to clarify our stance under the Antimonopoly Act.”
In light of this, the Secretariat of Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters, Cabinet Office and the JFTC have jointly formulated the “Guidelines to Ensure Proper Transactions for Creators at Film Production Sites” and the “Guidelines to Ensure Proper Transactions for Creators at Anime Production Sites,” which set forth specific principles in accordance with the Antimonopoly Act, the SME Transactions Act, and the Act on Ensuring Proper Transactions Involving Specified Entrusted Business Operators.
We ask all businesses to review the materials in Attachment 1 through 4 and strive to ensure proper transactions (English translations of Attachment 1 through 4 will be posted later).
In light of this, the Secretariat of Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters, Cabinet Office and the JFTC have jointly formulated the “Guidelines to Ensure Proper Transactions for Creators at Film Production Sites” and the “Guidelines to Ensure Proper Transactions for Creators at Anime Production Sites,” which set forth specific principles in accordance with the Antimonopoly Act, the SME Transactions Act, and the Act on Ensuring Proper Transactions Involving Specified Entrusted Business Operators.
We ask all businesses to review the materials in Attachment 1 through 4 and strive to ensure proper transactions (English translations of Attachment 1 through 4 will be posted later).
