The Japan Creator Support Fund, a government-backed initiative to nurture emerging creators and strengthen cultural institutions, is generating tangible international outcomes, according to a progress report meeting held on June 5, 2026, at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in Tokyo. The event showcased results from FY2025, highlighting awards, nominations, co-productions, and expanded opportunities for overseas performances and cross-border collaborations.
Supported projects have been implemented across 23 countries and regions, including Ireland, the United States, Italy, India, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, South Korea, China, Germany, France, Vietnam, Malta, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Spain, Argentina, and Portugal. The fund, established in FY2024 within the Japan Arts Council through funding from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, provides multi-year support for creator development and cultural facility enhancement.
Key FY2025 results include 544 creators supported under the Creator & Artist Development Support Program, with 165 overseas performances and exhibitions and total attendance of 873,761 across domestic and international events. Under the Support Program for Cultural Facilities Function Enhancement, 133 creators were supported, with overseas performances and exhibitions in 8 countries. The Creator Support Program (Program Development & Implementation) facilitated overseas study visits to approximately 15 countries, including in Africa, and practical training at events like the Berlin International Film Festival and MIT Reality Hack.
Notable international successes include the National Ballet of Japan's performances of Giselle at London's Royal Opera House from 24–27 July 2025, which led to the company being named Outstanding Company at the UK's National Dance Awards 2025, a first for a Japanese ballet company. In animation, Hanarokushō ga Akeru Hi ni, supported under UNIJAPAN's "Film Frontier" program, was selected for the Competition section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, competing for the Golden Bear. Another supported film, Housenka, was selected for the Feature Film Competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025. Additionally, Eri, directed by Honami Yano under the "New Way, New World" program, was selected for Directors' Fortnight at the 79th Cannes Film Festival.
Looking ahead to FY2026, various organizations are launching full-scale overseas activities. ROHM Theatre Kyoto's Kichijitsu Saikai will be presented at the Beitou Art Festival in Taiwan in August 2026. Aichi Prefectural Art Theater's WITH LiMBO is scheduled for performances in Slovakia in September 2026. In visual arts, Syuto Kanazawa's exhibition Ethnography of the Body and Material — Slowness and Depth in an Accelerated Society will be presented in Venice, Italy, from 9 May to 22 November 2026. Further information on program results, case studies, and upcoming activities is available on the Japan Creator Support Fund website.
