Screen
Jason Gray

Jason Gray covers Japan for Screen.

XYZ slays sales for Killers

8-Feb-2013
EXCLUSIVE: Japanese-Indonesian crime-thriller sells to Germany, France, Turkey and Hong Kong.
Japanese box office up 7.7%

30-Jan-2013
The Japanese box office totalled $2.15bn (195bn yen) in 2012, topping the previous year’s figures by 7.7% but remaining below 2010’s 220.7bn yen.
Nagisa Oshima dead at 80

15-Jan-2013
Nagisa Oshima, the iconoclastic Japanese director of In the Realm of the Senses and Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, died of pneumonia in a Kanagawa hospital early on Tuesday (Jan 15). He was 80 years old.
Warner pulls out of theatrical exhibition in Japan

20-Dec-2012
Japan’s Aeon Group has announced plans to buy out Time Warner Group’s 50% holdings in theatrical exhibitor Warner Mycal Cinemas.
Epilogue takes top prize at Tokyo Filmex

3-Dec-2012
Amir Manor’s Epilogue was awarded the grand prize and $8,500 (Y700,000) at the closing awards of the 13th edition of Tokyo Filmex (Nov 23-Dec 2).
ASEAN's inaugural FLY project wraps in Davao

28-Nov-2012
The inaugural edition of the ASEAN-ROK Film Leaders Incubator (FLY) project wrapped in Davao City, the Philippines this weekend with a mandate for expansion in 2013.
Sineng Pambansa film festival announces winners

26-Nov-2012
Benji Garcia’s Malan won the jury award at the second Sineng Pambansa national film festival (Nov 22-25), which ran concurrently with the Philippines’ first ever film market.
Mamoru Oshii readies international co-production

7-Nov-2012
Japanese director Mamoru Oshii will direct live action military sci-fi thriller The Last Druid: Garm Wars as an international co-production.
The Tokyo connection

18-Oct-2012
Celebrating its 25th edition in 2012, the Tokyo International Film Festival (Oct 20-28) has become a major launchpad into Japan and a source of films for local distributors.
Japanese director Koji Wakamatsu dead at 76

17-Oct-2012
Legendary Japanese director Koji Wakamatsu has died in hospital of injuries after being hit by a taxi on the night of October 12.
ASEAN, BFC to launch incubator for Asian filmmakers

11-Oct-2012
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in partnership with Korea’s Busan Film Commission (BFC) will launch a talent incubator for young Asian filmmakers from across the region.
Tokyo fest screening of Yim Ho's Floating City cancelled

26-Sep-2012
Hong Kong-China production appears to have been withdrawn due to escalating political tensions between China and Japan.
Tokyo International Film Festival unveils line-up

20-Sep-2012
Five world premieres in the competition section, including Riri Riza’s Atambua 39° Celsius; Hiroshi Okuhara’s The Black Square and Wang Jing’s Feng Shui.
Kurosawa to direct Japan-China co-production starring Leung

11-Sep-2012
Japanese film maker Kiyoshi Kurosawa will direct Hong Kong star Tony Leung Chiu-Wai in period action-drama 1905.
TIFFCOM unveils projects market, partners with ACE

10-Sep-2012
Tokyo International Film Festival’s contents market TIFFCOM (October 23-25) has announced the participants and partners for its reworked projects market.
Cirque Du Soleil to open Tokyo International Film Festival

5-Sep-2012
Producer James Cameron’s 3D production of Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away will open the 25th edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival (Oct 20-28) organisers announced today.
Raymond Chow to be honoured at Tokyo film festival

30-Aug-2012
Veteran Hong Kong film industry figure Raymond Chow will receive the “TIFF Special Appreciation Award” at the upcoming Tokyo International Film Festival (Oct 20-29), organisers announced today.
Warner Brothers Japan to remake Unforgiven with Watanabe

20-Aug-2012
Warner Brothers Japan has announced it will remake Clint Eastwood western Unforgiven, with Ken Watanabe attached to star.
Japan's Gaga launches VOD service

8-Aug-2012
Titles on offer in Japan include The King’s Speech.
METI, TIFFCOM launch support for Japanese sellers

26-Jul-2012
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), in collaboration with autumn contents market TIFFCOM (Oct 23-25), have announced details of funding to support Japanese sellers of film and TV contents to overseas markets.
Gaga to handle sales on Warner Bros’ Rurouni Kenshin

19-Jul-2012
Japan’s Gaga Corporation will handle international sales, excluding Japan and North America, of Warner Brothers Pictures Japan production Rurouni Kenshin.
Kadokawa, Gaga announce executive movements

5-Jul-2012
At the end of June and beginning of July there have been an unusually high number of corporate maneuvers in the Japanese film industry.
Japan’s CCC takes 33% stake in Taiwan’s Deltamac

28-Jun-2012
Culture Convenience Club (CCC), the company behind Japan’s largest video rental chain Tsutaya, has acquired a 33.4% share in Taiwanese film and video distributor Deltamac, a subsidiary of optical media giant CMC Group.
Japanese filmmaker Kaneto Shindo dies aged 100

30-May-2012
Japanese director Kaneto Shindo died of natural causes in the morning hours of May 29 at the age of 100, local media has reported.
Montreal’s Fantasia unveils co-production projects

7-May-2012
Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival (July 19-August 7) has unveiled the 14 projects selected for the inaugural edition of its Frontières international co-production market.
Toshiyuki Nishida to lead cast of Kitano's Outrage Beyond

17-Apr-2012
Outrage sequel will also star director/writer/editor Kitano.
Okinawa fest opens, organiser Yoshimoto steps up international profile

25-Mar-2012
The fourth edition of the Okinawa International Movie Festival (OIMF, Mar 24-31) launched this weekend with increased emphasis on the event’s organiser — comedy giant Yoshimoto Kogyo — working to establish itself internationally.
Japan's Gaga continues lively acquisitions with Farewell My Queen and The Chef

10-Feb-2012
Sales lineup includes Himizu and I Wish.
Japanese box office falls 18% after lack of mega-hits and March 11 disaster

30-Jan-2012
Overall box office revenue for 2011 totalled $2.36bn (Y181.2bn), a steep drop of 18% from 2010; local films declined by 16%.
New Sion Sono disaster drama Land Of Hope gets backing from UK's Third Window Films

20-Jan-2012
The latest film from Japanese director Sion Sono has attracted a roster of domestic and international investment as the acclaimed auteur’s profile continues to rise.
Ken Watanabe stars in documentary on Japan recovery

16-Jan-2012
Actor Ken Watanabe will appear in a documentary chronicling recovery efforts in the wake of Japan’s March 11 catastrophe.
Old Dog takes top prize at Tokyo Filmex; inaugural edition of Talent Campus Tokyo wraps

28-Nov-2011
Director Pema Tseden’s Tibetan-language Chinese film Old Dog was awarded the grand prize and $12,800 (Y1m) at the closing awards of the twelfth edition of Tokyo Filmex, which ran from Nov 19-27.
Canada's Fantasia film festival launches international co-production market

23-Nov-2011
Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival has announced details of a new international co-production and contents market that will launch at the 16th edition in July 2012.
Gary Oldman to executive produce Max Mannix drama Clickers

5-Nov-2011
Gary Oldman is attached to executive produce Max Mannix’s Australian drama Clickers.
Untouchable wins grand prize, best actor awards at Tokyo fest

30-Oct-2011
Other winners include The Woodsman And The Rain, Play, Albert Nobbs, Kora and When Pigs Have Wings.
Miyake's Beyond The Wave wins TIFFCOM new talent award

27-Oct-2011
Murayama’s Banapara also gets development award.
The spirit of Tokyo

24-Oct-2011
The organisers of this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival are confident there is enough global goodwill towards Japan to attract international visitors to this year’s festival.
The TIFFCOM co-production market

24-Oct-2011
Asian companies are out in force at TIFFCOM.
Japanese advertising giant Hakuhodo sets up company to produce film & TV contents overseas

20-Oct-2011
Major Japanese advertising conglomerate Hakuhodo has launched new company Stories LLC to produce Hollywood and overseas films and TV programming based on existing Japanese contents.
Alrick Brown's Kinyarwanda takes top award at Skip City

17-Oct-2011
Vanja d’Alcantara wins best director for Beyond The Steppes.
Gaga names new board members, to accelerate acquisitions and distribution

3-Oct-2011
Japanese producer-distributor Gaga Corporation has announced several corporate promotions in a move to build on the the company’s recent successes in its acquisitions and distribution business.
Tokyo announces new jury members including Kees Kasander, Fan Bingbing

29-Sep-2011
Ed Pressman already confirmed as jury president.
Tokyo fest unveils full lineup, jury members still pending

21-Sep-2011
The Tokyo International Film Festival has unveiled the full lineup of its 24th edition, which runs October 22-30 in Tokyo’s Roppongi district.
Tokyo Filmex unveils lineup for 12th edition

15-Sep-2011
Tokyo Filmex (November 19-27) unveiled the lineup of its 12th edition today, announcing Kim Ki-duk’s Un Certain Regard winner Arirang as opening film and Johnnie To’s Venice competition title Life Without Principle as closing film.
Kaneto Shindo's Post Card selected as Japan's Oscar entry

8-Sep-2011
99-year-old director Kaneto Shindo’s WWII drama Post Card (Ichimai No Hagaki) has been selected as Japan’s official entry for the best foreign-language film category of the Academy Awards.
Japan's Skip City announces lineup, moves to autumn timeslot

6-Sep-2011
Japan’s Skip City International D-Cinema Festival has announced the lineup for its 8th edition, which runs October 8-16 in Kawaguchi, Saitama prefecture.
Tokyo's TIFFCOM announces further details of rebooted TPG project market

23-Aug-2011
Scheme now has two categories: Masters and New Talent.
ANEW to boost Japanese content in global market

18-Aug-2011
Newly announced company All Nippon Entertainment Works Co Ltd (ANEW) will become Japan’s primary seller of remake rights for films and other content upon its planned launch this October.
Toei launches international acquisitions under Tryangle label

11-Aug-2011
Japanese major Toei studios announced its official return to foreign acquisitions today with the launch of new label Toei Tryangle.
Tokyo Film Festival announces opening film and disaster aid initiatives

4-Aug-2011
The 24th edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) will open with Paul W.S. Anderson’s The Three Musketeers, festival organisers announced today.
Exhibitors and film companies do their part to save energy in electricity-needy Japan

25-Jul-2011
Several exhibitors and film companies have announced their strategies for cutting electric power use this summer in the wake of supply shortages since the March 11 disaster.
Hong Kong's GDC strikes VPF deal with Japan's Toho

12-Jul-2011
Japan’s largest distributor has also announced a new 12-screen digital multiplex in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho district
Japan launches co-production subsidy scheme

17-Jun-2011
Japan’s first subsidy aimed at boosting foreign co-productions is worth up to $625,000 to overseas projects with Japanese financial and creative involvement
Tokyo's TIFFCOM market outlines changes for 2011

16-Jun-2011
Sales event plans closer integration of seminars, screenings and market booths
Hitoshi Matsumoto's Big Man Japan headed for Hollywood remake

6-Jun-2011
Japanese director and comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto’s 2007 directorial debut Big Man Japan (Dai-Nipponjin) is to be remade in the US by Columbia Pictures and Original Film.
Kitano's delayed Outrage 2 aiming for 2012 release

1-Jun-2011
Office Kitano annouces production will restart next year after being delayed by earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster.
Naomi Kawase boards two short film initiatives

18-May-2011
Cannes competition director Naomi Kawase has announced the launch of a short film omnibus project dedicated to the victims and survivors of the disaster-afflicted Tohoku region of Japan.
Tokyo edition of Talent Campus to welcome 12-15 participants

9-May-2011
Details of the first edition of Talent Campus Tokyo were announced today by the event’s Berlin and Tokyo organising committees.
Hankyu Train wins double prize at Okinawa fest

28-Mar-2011
Yoshishige Miyake’s Hankyu Train (Hankyu Densha Katamichi 15-fun No Kisekitook) has taken top honors at the Okinawa International Movie Festival (OIMF) which wrapped yesterday evening in Ginowan City.
Okinawa fest opens with strong focus on disaster relief

23-Mar-2011
Festival opens with red carpet procession as well as minute of silence for Japanese disaster.
Japanese film industry rallies in face of disaster

21-Mar-2011
Ten days after Japan’s worst ever natural disaster, the industry has begun rallying to continue doing business and provide aid to stricken regions through a multitude of initiatives.
Okinawa fest to go ahead despite Japan disaster

16-Mar-2011
Third edition of festival will run March 18-27.
GDC and Shochiku strike VPF deal in Japan

22-Feb-2011
Hong Kong-based GDC Technology has reached an agreement with Shochiku to provide digital cinema equipment to the studio’s exhibition subsidiary.
Japan's J Cine Quanon outlines Asia focus under new leadership

21-Feb-2011
Resurrected Japanese production and distribution company Cine Quanon explained the company’s Asia-focused strategy today.
Wild Bunch, Gaga tie for sales of Kore-eda's I Wish

7-Feb-2011
Gaga Corporation and Wild Bunch have announced they will jointly handle sales for Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest film I Wish (Kiseki).
Japanese box office reaches record 220 billion yen in 2010

27-Jan-2011
Tally up 7.1% while admissions up 3%; local films have 53% market share.
Toho hopes to boost admissions with discounted ticket prices in Japan

19-Jan-2011
Toho Cinemas has announced plans for a reduction in the standard price of movie tickets from $21.88 (Y1800) yen to $18.23 (Y1500).
Japan's arthouse crisis

13-Jan-2011
As arthouse cinemas struggle across the globe, Screen examines the particular decline of the independent cinema business in the major market of Japan.
Toho unveils 2011 slate, with new Studio Ghibli film for next summer

16-Dec-2010
Japan’s Toho Studios announced its 2011-2012 slate on Dec 15, including a new offering from Studio Ghibli father-and-son duo Hayao and Goro Miyazaki.
Japanese director Yoji Yamada celebrates 50th year as director with Ozu homage

13-Dec-2010
Shochiku Studios has announced details of director Yoji Yamada’s latest film, Tokyo Kazoku (literal translation: “Tokyo Family”), being produced to celebrate Yamada’s 50-year directing career.
Space Battleship Yamato foreign sales steam ahead

9-Dec-2010
Wild Side Films has picked up rights for France, Splendid Film for Germany; Golden Harvest, Catchplay, Encore among those active in Asia.
Love Addiction wins top prize at Tokyo Filmex

28-Nov-2010
Two projects awarded in Next Masters programme.
Toei continues strong sales on Battle Royale 3D

25-Nov-2010
Japanese studio Toei continues to close deals for the 3D reworking of Kinji Fukasaku’s Battle Royale following its market debut at the AFM.
Intimate Grammar takes top prize in Tokyo, China has strong showing

31-Oct-2010
Director Nir Bergman’s Intimate Grammar was awarded the Tokyo sakura grand prix and $50,000 at the closing ceremony of the 23rd Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), which wrapped up on Sunday (October 31).
Gaga adds new Kore-eda film to sales slate

26-Oct-2010
Gaga Corporation announced the addition of Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest film Miracle (Kiseki) to its sales slate at the TIFFCOM market, which kicked off today.
Local and international stars on hand as Tokyo kicks off 23rd edition

24-Oct-2010
The 23rd edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) kicked off yesterday evening with the opening screening of David Fincher’s The Social Network.
Japan's Kadokawa to merge film and publishing operations

4-Oct-2010
Kadokawa Group Holdings has announced it will merge its publishing and film entities in a major restructuring of the media conglomerate’s operations.
Tokyo Film Festival unveils full lineup

30-Sep-2010
The Tokyo International Film Festival has unveiled the full lineup of its 23rd edition, which runs October 23-31.
Tokyo fest to open with The Social Network and close with The Town

21-Sep-2010
The Tokyo International Film Festival (Oct 23-31) has announced the opening and closing films for its 23rd edition.
Tokyo Filmex to open with Palme d’Or winner Uncle Boonmee

16-Sep-2010
The 11th edition will see the launch of the Next Master Tokyo initiative, which aims to support up and coming Asian talent.
Confessions selected as Japan's Oscar entry

10-Sep-2010
Director Tetsuya Nakashima’s Confessions (Kokuhaku) has been selected as Japan’s official entry for the best foreign-language film category of the Academy Awards.
Takeshi Kitano announces plans for Outrage sequel

7-Sep-2010
Director Takeshi Kitano has announced plans for a sequel to crime drama Outrage, which competed for the Palme d’Or in Cannes this May. The project would mark the first sequel in Kitano’s 22-year directing career.
Tokyo fest unveils first four titles of competition

2-Sep-2010
The Tokyo International Film Festival (Oct 23-31) has unveiled the first four titles of its Sakura Grand Prix competition.
Japanese animation master Satoshi Kon dies at 46

25-Aug-2010
Revered Japanese animation director Satoshi Kon died suddenly on August 24 at the age of 46. The cause of death has been reported as pancreatic cancer.
Japan offers financial support to visiting productions to boost tourism

23-Aug-2010
The Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) has announced plans to offer financial and logistical support to selected foreign film and TV productions in an effort to boost overseas visitors to the territory.
Japanese exhibitor T-Joy employs Twitter to offer user-selected screenings

16-Aug-2010
Japanese exhibitor T-Joy and internet marketing company Bluem Inc. have launched a campaign to boost admissions by giving the public a chance to request films on the big screen.
Japanese box office up 1.5% in first half of 2010

30-Jul-2010
Japanese box office earnings for the first half of 2010 totaled $1.09b (Y95.28b), a 1.5% increase over the same period last year.
Bayside Shakedown 3 opens strong in Japan for Toho

6-Jul-2010
The third feature film in the Bayside Shakedown series opened strongly at the top of the Japanese box office this weekend, with the potential to cross the $100m threshold.
Sega Sammy relaunches CG animation company

2-Jul-2010
The Japanese video game and pachinko giant intends to ramp up its feature film production as part of the rebrand.
MPCA to produce US remake of Japanese Oscar winner Departures

1-Jul-2010
The US-based company hopes to start production on the remake, which will be set in New York, before the end of the year.
Confessions rules Japanese box office for third week

22-Jun-2010
Tetsuya Nakashima’s Confessions retained its top spot at the Japanese box office this past weekend for the third week in a row, holding off major Hollywood and local releases during its run.
Tokyo release of The Cove cancelled indefinitely

3-Jun-2010
Distributor Unplugged attributes cancellation to protests and threats from right-wing groups.
Gaga's Cannes market buys include Ozon's Potiche

27-May-2010
The Japanese distributor also picked up Paul W.S. Anderson’s The Three Musketeers from world sales agent Summit Entertainment for a summer 2011 release.
Japanese release date for The Cove finally confirmed

19-May-2010
Distributor Unplugged has been forced to hold press screenings under police guard after protests.
Japanese distributor Tornado Film shuts its doors

5-Apr-2010
Japanese film distributor Tornado Film has filed for bankruptcy, the company announced today.
Japan

31-Mar-2010
After 2008 saw foreign films earn their lowest figures of the decade ($885.7m) and loest market share since 1969 (40.5%), 2009 bought some relief.
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac draws more deals

30-Mar-2010
LA-based Arsenal Pictures will handle US and European sales; Toei closes more territories at end of FilMart.
Sony plans innovative Twitter campaign for Moon in Japan

25-Mar-2010
Sony Pictures Entertainment plans an innovative internet campaign employing Twitter to promote the April 10 release of Duncan Jones’ film.
Hollywood majors in Japan boost mobile streaming as DVDs decline

15-Mar-2010
Hollywood studios in Japan bolster mobile streaming activities to counter decline in DVD sales.
Walt Disney Japan consolidates theatrical and home video units

8-Mar-2010
Walt Disney has merged its theatrical and home entertainment divisions in Japan
The Unbroken wins best film at Japanese academy awards

5-Mar-2010
Setsuro Wakamatsu’s The Unbroken has been named best film at the 33rd Japanese Academy Awards
Nikkatsu's Sushi Typhoon closes multiple deals at EFM

18-Feb-2010
Japanese seller Nikkatsu has closed several deals at EFM for titles in its Sushi Typhoon genre label.
Sono’s Fish on Sushi menu

11-Feb-2010
Nikkatsu’s Sushi Typhoon to start sales on Sion Sono’s Cold Fish.
Homegrown hits boost business

4-Feb-2010
Local titles drove up the Japanese box office by 5.7% in 2009 as the number of international releases dropped dramatically.
Japan's Cine Qua Non files for bankruptcy protection

29-Jan-2010
The Japanese producer, distributor and exhibitor files for protection amid mounting debts.
Japanese music drama Bandage rocks crowded box office

19-Jan-2010
Takeshi Kobayashi’s indie rock and roll drama Bandage opened in fourth place this weekend despite tough competition at the Japanese box office.
Yang's Breathless takes top prize at Tokyo Filmex

29-Nov-2009
Director Yang Ik-june’s Breathless (Ddongpari) was awarded the grand prize and $11,560 (Y1m) and the audience award at the tenth Tokyo Filmex, which ran from November 21-29.
Nikkatsu sells Alien Vs Ninja to UK and Thailand

10-Nov-2009
Japanese studio Nikkatsu has sold Alien Vs Ninja to Revolver Entertainment for the UK and M Pictures for Thailand.
Warner Bros Japan announce Chushingura as first local language production

4-Nov-2009
A big budget adaptation of classic samurai tale Chushingura has been announced as Warner Brothers Japan’s first local language production.
Quantum group completes Yoshimoto Kogyo takeover

2-Nov-2009
Tokyo-based investment group Quantum Entertainment has completed its takeover of 97-year-old talent and media conglomerate Yoshimoto Kogyo, acquiring 88.52% of the company’s shares.
Japan at AFM

31-Oct-2009
AFM offers a first glimpse of anticipated new titles.
Hachiko shows its pedigree

29-Oct-2009
It is rare for a mid-level drama to strike gold at the Japanese box office, and Hachiko:A Dog’s Story is now using its success as the launch pad for international and domestic openings.
Kamen Kalev's Eastern Plays takes top prize in Tokyo

26-Oct-2009
Director Kamen Kalev’s Eastern Plays was awarded the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix at the closing ceremony of the 22nd Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), which closed on Sunday (October 25).
Japan, caution

22-Oct-2009
The collapse in Japan’s independent distribution sector has made the territory one of the most difficult for foreign films to crack ‹ and nor are Hollywood studio films working. Jason Gray reports
Fukuda to head home video and digital for WB Japan

20-Oct-2009
Taichi Fukuda has been appointed as general manager for Warner Home Video (WHV) and Warner Bros Digital Distribution (WBDD) in Japan.
Japanese court acquits creator of Winny P2P software

9-Oct-2009
Japanese courts in Osaka and Tokyo have handed down rulings on two closely watched cases involving intellectual property rights in the peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing and DVD arenas.
Third film in Boys trilogy rules Japanese box office

7-Oct-2009
The third installment in NTV-Toho’s 20th Century Boys trilogy has become the most successful entry in the series, with an unbroken reign of six weeks at the top of the Japanese box office.
Kadokawa produces remake of Malle’s Elevator

5-Oct-2009
Japanese producer-distributor Kadokawa Pictures is producing a remake of Louis Malle’s 1958 thriller Elevator To The Gallows.
Tokyo Filmex to open with Tsai Ming-liang's Face

18-Sep-2009
Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang’s Face will open the 10th anniversary edition of Tokyo Filmex, which runs from November 21-29 in the city’s Yurakucho and Tsukiji districts.
Tokyo International Film Festival to screen The Cove

17-Sep-2009
The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has unveiled the line-up for this year’s edition (Oct 17-25), including the last-minute addition of controversial documentary The Cove, which chronicles the annual dolphin hunt in the Japanese town of Taiji.
Nobody To Watch Over Me selected as Japan's Oscar entry

9-Sep-2009
Director Ryoichi Kimizuka’s Nobody To Watch Over Me (Dare Mo Mamotte Kurenai) has been selected as Japan’s official entry for the best foreign-language film category of the Academy Awards.
Kore-eda’s Ship, Swarup adaptation among TPG projects

20-Aug-2009
Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Brazilian co-production Ship Is Yet To Come and an adaptation of Slumdog Millionaire author Vikas Swarup’s Six Suspects are among the 25 projects that have been selected for this year’s Tokyo Project Gathering (TPG).
Japanese distributor Xanadeux goes out of business

18-Aug-2009
Xanadeux has become the latest in a string of small to medium-sized Japanese distributors to go out of business, following a contraction in the territory’s independent film and DVD markets.
Japan's Movie-Eye files for bankruptcy

5-Aug-2009
Japanese producer-distributor Movie-Eye Entertainment, distributor of Oscar-winners Crash and Million Dollar Baby, has filed for bankruptcy according to a fax sent to creditors yesterday.
Japanese box office up 17.6% in first half of 2009

26-Jul-2009
Japanese box office earnings for the first half of 2009 totaled $990.87m (Y93.9b), a 17.6.% increase over the same period last year.
Nikkatsu takes over AMG’s acquisitions unit

23-Jul-2009
Japanese studio Nikkatsu has acquired the buying and selling operations of Japan’s AMG Entertainment in a move designed to strengthen its own acquisitions activities.
No Puedo continues winning streak at Japan's Skip City

19-Jul-2009
Following its recent win at the Taipei film festival, Leon Dai’s No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti won the grand prize at Japan’s Skip City International D-Cinema Festival (July 10-20).
Gokusen wins three-way battle at Japanese box office

14-Jul-2009
Big-screen TV adaptation Gokusen: The Movie earned $5.27m (Y489.5m) from 402,440 admissions on its opening weekend in Japan, beating out Hollywood newcomers Knowing and Monsters Vs. Aliens.
Day-and-date and world premieres raise the spectre of increased piracy

9-Jul-2009
Jason Gray on Japan’s zero-tolerance policy on content piracy.
Yoda, Kinoshita reach agreement for Gaga buy-out

2-Jul-2009
Gaga Communications chairman Tom Yoda has reached an agreement to finalise a management buy-out of the indie distributor from Japanese media and telecoms conglomerate Usen.
Evangelion rules the Japanese box office

29-Jun-2009
Animated sci-fi feature Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance opened strongly at the Japanese box office at the weekend, earning $5.37m (Y512m) on 355,000 admissions.
Kadokawa slate heavy on local productions

24-Jun-2009
Kadokawa Pictures has unveiled a 12-picture distribution slate for 2009-10, headed by in-house productions such as $20m drama Shizumanu Taiyo starring Ken Watanabe.
JDC Trust forced to suspend business for three months

22-Jun-2009
Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has suspended ailing film and contents fund management firm Japan Digital Contents Trust Inc (JDC) from doing business for a period of three months.
TBS hit April Bride to receive pan-Asian release

17-Jun-2009
Japan’s Tokyo Broadcast System (TBS) has closed deals with several Asian territories for current hit April Bride following its screening at the Cannes market last month.
2009 to kick-start 3D revolution in Japan

11-Jun-2009
The Japanese film industry has dubbed 2009 “year zero” for 3D with high-profile releases and new screens expected to finally kick-start local interest in the format.
Shimizu to direct Japan’s first live-action 3D feature

4-Jun-2009
Asmik Ace Entertainment has unveiled details of Japan’s first live-action digital 3D feature, The Shock Labyrinth, which The Grudge director Takashi Shimizu started shooting earlier this week.
Skip City fest increases support for local filmmakers

3-Jun-2009
Japan’s Skip City International D-Cinema Festival has unveiled the line-up for its six edition (July 10-20), including a new section and awards designed to support local filmmakers.
Warner Bros to speed up VoD releases in Japan

28-May-2009
Warner Bros has reached a deal with Japan’s largest cable channel operator, Jupiter Telecommunications, to offer films through its high-definition PPV VoD channel at around the same time as their DVD release.
Japan's Zappallas acquires 6% stake in Nikkatsu

26-May-2009
Japanese mobile content provider Zappallas has acquired a 5.99% share in film producer-distributor Nikkatsu.
Japan Digital Contents Trust ordered to reform

24-May-2009
Japan Digital Contents Trust (JDC) the film and content fund management firm, has been ordered to reform its business practices by Japan’s financial services agency (FSA).
Osaka sells 9% stake in Universal Studios Japan

19-May-2009
Osaka has announced that it will sell its 9% stake in USJ Co Ltd, the firm that operates Universal Studios Japan (USJ), to majority shareholder Goldman Sachs.
Usen in talks to sell Gaga Communications

12-May-2009
Japanese media and communications conglomerate Usen has announced that it’s in talks to divest its interests in film distribution subsidiary Gaga Communications.
April Bride weds the top spot at Japanese box office

12-May-2009
Tearjerker drama April Bride (Yomei Ikkatgetsu No Hanayome) opened in the top position at the Japanese box office this weekend (May 9-10).
Japan's Wise Policy closes its doors

11-May-2009
Japanese foreign film distributor Wise Policy has closed its doors after filing for bankruptcy last month.
Japan's Jupiter signs three year deal with Warner Bros

8-May-2009
Japanese cable channel operator Jupiter Entertainment Co Ltd has acquired the rights to a slate of more than 80 theatrical motion picture titles for broadcast in Japan.
Japan to launch film export fund

5-May-2009
The Japanese government has announced details of a proposed fund to support the production and export of local content.
Fujoshi Kanojo rings up Japanese first with mobile phone release

5-May-2009
Simultaneous movie release across different platforms moved to a new level in Japan this week as Kadokawa Pictures’ romantic comedy Fujoshi Kanojo was released in cinemas, online – and in a first for the Japanese market - also on mobile phone.
Matsuoka to step down after 52 years with Toho Studios

27-Apr-2009
Toho Studios chairman Isao Matsuoka will step down from his post after 12 years in the position and 52 years of service at the company.
John Woo's Red Cliff II storms Japanese box office

14-Apr-2009
John Woo’s Red Cliff II scaled to the top of the Japanese box office this past weekend, with earnings of$8.66m (Y869m) over the three-day period (April 10-12).
John Woo's Red Cliff II storms Japanese box office

14-Apr-2009
John Woo’s Red Cliff II scaled to the top of the Japanese box office this past weekend, with earnings of $8.66m (Y869m) over the three-day period (April 10-12).
Pony Canyon sells Amalfi, Nodame Cantabile to Asia

9-Apr-2009
Japanese international sales outfit Pony Canyon has closed pre-sales with two Asian buyers for Fuji TV titles Nodame Cantabile The Movie and Amalfi.
Usen's GyaO, Yahoo! Japan merge online distribution portals

8-Apr-2009
Yahoo! Japan and Usen-owned online contents portal GyaO have announced a merger of their movie and video broadband internet content portals.
Tokyu to screen Transformers in Imax digital format

8-Apr-2009
Japanese exhibitor Tokyu Recreation will release Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen in the Imax digital formatin June, marking the first time the format has been used in Japan.
Five Japanese majors join forces for VoD movie channel

30-Mar-2009
Japanese majors Kadokawa, Shochiku, Toei, Toho and Nikkatsu have partnered to supply feature films through newly established pay-per-view (PPV) channel Marumaru Eiga.
NTV sells suspense actioner MW to Sundream in Hong Kong

23-Mar-2009
Nippon Television Network (NTV) has sold action-suspense manga adaptation MW to Hong Kong’s Sundream Motion Pictures ahead of its market screening premiere.Based on a story by famed creator Osamu Tezuka first published in 1976, MW stars Hiroshi Tamaki as a high level banker leading a double life as a calculating serial killer. ...
Matsumoto's Symbol to be completed in time for Cannes

22-Mar-2009
Director and famed comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto revealed some details of his second directorial effort at a press conference held on Friday evening at the inaugural edition of the Okinawa International Movie Festival (OIMF, March 19-22).Entitled Symbol (Shimboru), the film stars Matsumoto as a man plotting to escape some manner of entrapment. As with his directorial debut,
Sakamoto starts production on Zatoichi The Last

17-Mar-2009
Japanese director Junji Sakamoto has started shooting Zatoichi The Last, starring SMAP member Shingo Katori in the lead role of the famed blind swordsman, for Japan's Sedic International and Toho Studios.
Shochiku unveils new studio facilities in Kyoto

12-Mar-2009
Japanese major Shochiku has officially opened its upgraded and expanded Shochiku Kyoto Studios, which the company describes as a 'one stop total film management package'.
Japan - Oscar winner hits home

6-Mar-2009
In the first weekend since its Oscar win for best foreign-language film, Departures rose to number one at the Japanese box office, after re-entering the top 10 during the previous week in eighth place.
Japan's Usen divests stake in ShowTime VoD portal

2-Mar-2009
Japanese media and communications conglomerate Usen has divested its stake in broadband VoD portal ShowTime Inc.
Yubari awards SR: Saitama's Rapper, premieres Slumdog

2-Mar-2009
Yu Irie’s 79-minute comedy drama SR: Saitama’s Rapper was awarded the grand prix at the19th editionof Japan’s Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival (Feb 26-Mar 2), which wrappedtonight.
Departures tops Japanese box office following Oscar win

27-Feb-2009
In the first weekend since its Oscar win for best foreign-language film, Departures ascended to the number one position at the Japanese box office after re-entering the top ten last week in eighth place.
Departures sweeps Japanese academy awards

21-Feb-2009
Yojiro Takita's Departures picked up ten prizes, including best picture of 2008, at the 32nd Japan Academy prize awards ceremony, held Friday evening at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa in Tokyo.
Index sells further shares in Nikkatsu studios

7-Feb-2009
Index Holdings has sold a 7.11% share in group company Nikkatsu to Amusement Media Entertainment Group (AMG).
Kore-eda unveils details of Blow Up Doll project

4-Feb-2009
Award-winning Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda has revealed details of his most recent project, Kuuki Ningyo (literal translation: Blow Up Doll), which wrapped at the end of January.
Japanese box office down 1.8% in 2008

29-Jan-2009
According to annual data published today by The Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan (Eiren), overall box office revenues for 2008 totalled $2.164bn (Y194.84bn), a 1.8% decrease from 2007's $2.204bn (Y198.44bn).
Japan's NTV acquires 34% stake in Nikkatsu film studios

23-Jan-2009
Major Japanese broadcast network Nippon Television Network Corp (NTV) has acquired a 34% stake in Nikkatsu film studios.
Pandemic topples Wall-E's run at top of Japanese box office

20-Jan-2009
Japanese disease thriller Pandemic (Kansen Retto) ended Wall-E's three week run in the number one spot at the local box office this past weekend.
Yubari fest to premiere new films from Takashi Miike and Yojiro Takita

16-Jan-2009
Takashi Miike's Crows Zero 2 and Departures director Yojiro Takita's Tsurikichi Sanpei (Sanpei The Fisherman) will be among the world premieres at this year's edition of the resurrected Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival (YIFFF), which runs February 26 to March 2.
Toho, Kadokawa join forces on digital delivery

5-Jan-2009
Japan's Toho and Kadokawa Holdings will partner with telecommunications giant NTT to implement digital distribution of feature films to their cinemas beginning this spring.
Shochiku announces details of Yoji Yamada's Otouto

26-Dec-2008
Japanese studio Shochiku has announced details of veteran director Yoji Yamada's 81st film, Otouto.
Shochiku announces details of Yoji Yamada's Otouto

26-Dec-2008
Japanese studio Shochiku has announced details of veteran director Yoji Yamada's 81st film, Otouto.
Fuji TV to produce two-part feature of Nodame Cantabile

10-Dec-2008
Japanese broadcaster Fuji TV has announced details of a two-part feature film adaptation of hit television series Nodame Cantabile.
Wall-E ends Red Cliff's long run at the top of Japanese box office

9-Dec-2008
Pixar's Wall-E opened at the top of the Japanese box office this past weekend, dethroning John Woo's Red Cliff after five weeks at number one.
Japan's Toei to invest $45m in digital film facilities

3-Dec-2008
Toei Studios has announced details of its plans to construct fully digital film facilities in Tokyo's Nerima ward.
Singapore's JCM buys majority share in Japan Digital Contents Trust

2-Dec-2008
Singapore-based investment firm JCM Singapore Pte Ltd is set to purchase a majority share in Japan Digital Contents Trust (JDC), a backer of several local distributors and films such as Hula Girls and Mushi-shi.
Waltz With Bashir takes top prize at Tokyo Filmex

30-Nov-2008
Director Ari Folman's Waltz With Bashir was awarded the grand prize at the conclusion of the 9th edition of Tokyo Filmex (Nov 22-30).
Board members at Japan's Picnic Pictures branch out

28-Nov-2008
Board members at Japan's Picnic Pictures Inc have formed partnerships with two established film companies to set up separate production entities.
Japan's Fuji TV celebrates 50th year with film by Hiroshi Nishitani

25-Nov-2008
Japanese broadcaster Fuji Television is to mark its 50th anniversary with a special feature film production Amalfi: Megami No 50-Byou (Amalfi: 50 Seconds of a Goddess), starring Yuji Oda, which will be shot entirely on location in Italy.
Red Cliff remains at highest altitude in Japan

18-Nov-2008
John Woo's Red Cliff has held the number one position for the third week in a row at the Japanese box office.
Japan's Sabu returns to director's chair with The Crab Cannery Ship

12-Nov-2008
Japanese filmmaker Sabu is returning to the director’s chair after a three-year hiatus with an adaptation of Takiji Kobayashi’s famed literarywork The Crab Cannery Ship (Kanikosen).
Details of Japanese Sideways remake emerge

7-Nov-2008
Details regarding the Japanese remake of Oscar-winning 2004 film Sideways have been announced by co-producers 20th Century Fox Japan and Fuji TV.
Japan's Rumble Fish files for bankruptcy

7-Nov-2008
Japanese feature film and TV production company Rumble Fish Inc has filed for bankruptcy.
Japan - A departure for Japan

7-Nov-2008
When local films do exceedingly well in Japan, celebrations follow. That was the case last week when Departures director Yojiro Takita, star Masahiro Motoki and the media gathered before a screening of the award-winning film at distributor Shochiku's flagship cinema in Yurakucho.
Red Cliff opens at peak of Japanese box office

4-Nov-2008
John Woo's Red Cliff Part 1 opened at the top of the Japanese box office the weekend of November 1st-3rd, dethroning Suspect X's four-week run in the number one position.Red Cliff opened November 1 on 549 screens, earning $9.64m (Y961.79m) on 825,000 admissions. The screen count represents the highest ever in the territory for a non-Hollywood film, with a strong per screen average of over $18,000 through the holiday weekend.
AFM buzz - Japan

31-Oct-2008
Despite successes at home, Japanese films continue to be a difficult sell to English-speaking territories.
Tulpan takes best film and director at Tokyo fest

26-Oct-2008
Sergey Dvortsevoy's Tulpan was awarded the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix at today's conclusion of the 21st Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF). The crystal trophy was accompanied by a cash prize of $100,000. Click here for review.
TIFFCOM: Asmik Ace dresses Asia in Handsome Suit

24-Oct-2008
Japanese producer-distributor Asmik Ace closed several Asian deals for new comedy The Handsome Suit on the second day of the TIFFCOM market.
TIFFCOM: Japan's Hexagon unveils five-picture slate

23-Oct-2008
Japan's Hexagon Pictures, a distributor that has recently entered production and international sales, unveiled its new line-up of five market premieres at a presentation held during the first day of the TIFFCOM market (Oct 22-24).
TIFFCOM: Tokyo delegates talk Japanese remakes

21-Oct-2008
US studio and independent producers spoke about the challenges and realities of negotiating, buying and producing remakes based on Japanese properties at the 'Hollywood Remake Business Talk Session' held in Tokyo today.
Toho reaches $600m milestone in nine months

16-Oct-2008
Japan's Toho Studios, the territory's largest distributor, has reached combined box office earnings of Y60.01bn ($599.4m) in the first nine months of 2008.
Oshii, Production I.G develop animated samurai film

15-Oct-2008
Japanese filmmaker Mamoru Oshii and his regular backer Production I.G are developing an animated feature film based on the life of samurai Miyamoto Musashi.
Mikhalkov andChen receive Kurosawa award

10-Oct-2008
Russian actor-director Nikita Mikhalkov and Chinese filmmaker Chen Kaige have received this year's Akira Kurosawa Award. The announcement was made by the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF).
Preview: Tokyo International Film Festival

10-Oct-2008
Despite its size and status as Japan's only International Federation of Film Producers Associations (Fiapf) accredited event, the Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) has sometimes been overlooked outside Japan.
Japanese actor Ken Ogata dies aged 71

7-Oct-2008
71-year-old Japanese actor Ken Ogata died on October 5, local news reported today. The exact cause of death is unknown, but Ogata had been battling liver cancer. A private funeral was held by close relatives at a temple in Tokyo on Tuesday morning.
Linha De Passe to open ninth Tokyo Filmex

7-Oct-2008
Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas' Linha De Passe will open the ninth edition of Tokyo Filmex (November 22-30). The closing film will be Cannes FIPRESCI prize winner Delta, directed by Hungary's Kornel Mundruczo.
Fuji TV, Production I.G to produce CG animated feature

5-Oct-2008
Japanese broadcast major Fuji TV and animation house Production I.G have announced plans to co-produce a wholly CG animated feature film.
Japan to launch film commission as part of policy shift

5-Oct-2008
Speaking at Pusan's Asia-Pacific Film Policy Forum (Oct 4-5), Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) outlined its major initiatives for the future role of the territory in what it has dubbed the 'Asia Content Community'.
Japanese sellers premiere new titles at Asian Film Market

3-Oct-2008
Japanese majors and independent production companies are kicking off sales of their latest titles at Pusan's Asian Film Market, which launched today.
Japan's Avex and Docomo establish mobile contents company

1-Oct-2008
Avex Group film subsidiary Avex Entertainment and mobile communications giant NTT Docomo have partnered to establish a company to create mobile contents.
Haruki Kadokawa returns to directing with Laughing Policeman

24-Sep-2008
Famed Japanese film producer Haruki Kadokawa has returned to the director's chair after an 11-year absence.
Gaga to handle sales of Shunji Iwai production Halfway

24-Sep-2008
Gaga Communications has acquired world sales rights for high school drama Halfway, produced by famed director-producer Shunji Iwai (All About Lily Chou-Chou).
Lotus and Harbour Light announce two Akira Kurosawa projects

22-Sep-2008
Tokyo 's Lotus and Los Angeles-based Harbor Light Entertainment have announced two projects based on Akira Kurosawa properties, slated for release in 2010.
Japanese director Jun Ichikawa dies at 59

19-Sep-2008
Japanese film director Jun Ichikawa has died at aged 59, local media has reported.
Tokyo film festival announces complete 2008 line-up

18-Sep-2008
The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced the full lineup for its 21st edition (October 18-26).
Wall-E to close Tokyo film festival

15-Sep-2008
Pixar's Wall-E will be the closing film of this year's Tokyo International Film Festival (Oct 18-26).
Departures selected as Japan's Oscar entry

13-Sep-2008
Yojiro Takita's Departures (Okuribito) has been selected as Japan's official entry for the Academy Awards' foreign-language film category, the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan (Eiren) announced on Friday.
Hancock, 20th Century Boys knock Ponyo from perch

2-Sep-2008
Sony Pictures Entertainment's Hancock and local broadcaster NTV's 20th Century Boys have knocked Studio Ghibli's Ponyo On The Cliff By The Sea down to third place after six weeks in the number one spot at the Japanese box office.
Tokyo Project Gathering unveils line-up of 34 projects

1-Sep-2008
The organisers of the fourth Tokyo Project Gathering (TPG) have unveiled the 34 projects that will take part in this year's edition (Oct 21-24).
Japan's TBS to stream first-run films through VoD service

29-Aug-2008
Major Japanese broadcaster Tokyo Broadcast System (TBS) will stream newly released feature films through its existing VoD service, the network announced yesterday.
Studio Ghibli's Ponyo reaches Y10bn milestone

20-Aug-2008
Japanese distributor Toho has announced that Studio Ghibli's Ponyo On The Cliff By The Sea has cracked the Y10bn ($91.02m) milestone within a month (31 days)of its release on July 19.
Fox Japan ramps up local production with Gunjo

18-Aug-2008
20th Century Fox Japan has unveiled details of its latest foray into local feature film production with drama Gunjo (Ultramarine), starring Masami Nagasawa.
Animation draws Toho towards record-setting year

14-Aug-2008
Japan's Toho Studios is on track to reach its stated goal of Y60bn ($548.5m) in box office earnings this year, which would make it the most the successful year in the company's history.
Japan's Fuji TV to produce third Umizaru film

11-Aug-2008
Fuji TV producer Hirotsugu Usui has announced a third sequel in the hit Umizaru marine action franchise.
Red Cliff to open Tokyo International Film Festival

7-Aug-2008
John Woo's epic martial arts drama Red Cliff will be the opening film of this year's Tokyo International Film Festival (Oct 18-26).
Usen chief launches production and acquisitions outfit

6-Aug-2008
Yasuhide Uno, CEO of Japanesebroadband giant and Gaga Communications parent Usen Inc, has set up a new independent production and acquisitions company.
Studio Ghibli to train next generation of animators

4-Aug-2008
Japan's Studio Ghibli announced plans today to open a training facility to foster the next generation of animation talent.
Tran to adapt Norwegian Wood for Asmik Ace, Fuji TV

31-Jul-2008
Acclaimed French-Vietnamese director Tran Anh Hung will direct an adaptation of Haruki Murakami's famed Japanese novel Norwegian Wood, to be co-produced by Asmik Ace and Fuji TV.
Arranged wins best picture at Japan's Skip City fest

28-Jul-2008
US-based directors Stephan Schaefer and Diane Crespo's Arranged has won best picture at the 5th annual Skip City International Digital Cinema Festival (July 19-27). The accolade also carried a $92,700 (Y10m) cash prize by fest sponsor Sony.
Japanese box office plummets 13.7% in first half of 2008

25-Jul-2008
Japanese box office earnings for the first half of 2008 totaled $743.54m (Y79.83bn), a 13.7% drop from the same period last year, according to figures reported by media trade publication Bunka Tsushin.
Naked Of Defenses picks up top prize at Japan's Pia fest

25-Jul-2008
Japanese director Masahide Ichii's Naked Of Defenses won the Grand Prix at the 30th edition of the Pia Film Festival (PFF), which ran from July 19 to 25 in Tokyo's Shibuya district.
Studio Ghibli's Ponyo claims Japanese summer box office crown

23-Jul-2008
As expected, director Hayao Miyazaki's latest animated feature Ponyo On The Cliff By The Sea claimed the number one spot atJapan's box office over the three-day holiday weekend (July 19-21), earning $14.84m (Y1.58bn) on 1.25 million (1,251,207) admissions
Japan sees increase in digital and Imax screens

18-Jul-2008
Exhibition technology is accelerating in Japan with announcements of four new large-scale Imax screens and Japan's first all-digital multiplex.
Japan's Movie-Eye Entertainment ramps up US releases

14-Jul-2008
Japanese producer-distributor Movie-Eye Entertainment has unveiled its 2008-2009 line-up, which has a strong emphasis on foreign acquisitions.
Toei, TV Asahi set to co-produce Partners spin-off

9-Jul-2008
Japanese studio Toei and regular television partner TV Asahi are planning to co-produce a spin-off to local hit Partners: The Movie.
Japan's Boys Over Flowers knocks Indy from top spot

30-Jun-2008
Tokyo Broadcast System's Boys Over Flowers earned a huge $9.55m (Y1bn) on 805,000 admissions over the weekend, knocking Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull out of the top spot after only one week.
Toho-Towa extends Universal contract, unveils line-up

27-Jun-2008
Japanese distributor Toho-Towa has announced the extension of its exclusive contract with Universal Pictures, as well as its line-up, until 2010.
Japanese star Koji Yakusho makes directing debut

19-Jun-2008
Japanese actor Koji Yakusho, who starred in 1996 hit Shall We Dance', is making his directorial debut with drama Gama No Abura (Toad Oil), in which he also stars.
Skip City to open with world premiere of Yamada's Bunshichi

11-Jun-2008
Japan's Skip City International Digital Cinema Festival has announced the line-up for its fifth edition, which includes the world premiere of Yoji Yamada's The Tale Of Bunshichi as the opening gala ahead of its local autumn release.
The Magic Hour puts a spell on Japanese box office

9-Jun-2008
Koki Mitani's gangster comedy The Magic Hour ruled the Japanese box office this weekend, knocking off The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian after its two weeks in the number one spot.
Classic animationGhost In The Shell gets digital overhaul,re-release

9-Jun-2008
Following a complete digital overhaul, Japanese director Mamoru Oshii's influential 1995 animation classic Ghost In The Shell is set for local re-release on July 12, Production I.G announced today.
Usen, NTT Docomo and KDDI heat up Japanese mobile movie market

3-Jun-2008
Japan's biggest contents and mobile serviceproviders Usen, NTT Docomo, and KDDI are heating up the mobile phone market for feature films with new services and upgrades this month.
Astro Boy creator Tezuka's MW gets live action treatment

2-Jun-2008
Legendary manga artist and animator Osamu Tezuka's MW is being adapted into a live-action film starring Hiroshi Tamaki.
Narnia takes crown away from Partners in Japan

28-May-2008
Disney's The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian ascended to the throne at the box office this past weekend, earning $5.34m (Y551.84m) on 782 screens for a per screen average of $6,831.
Naomi Kawase unveils ambitious plans for new Japanese festival

25-May-2008
Eleven Arts sells Man, Woman & the Wall to US-UK

23-May-2008
US-Japanese sales agent Eleven Arts has sold US and UK rights for Masashi Yamamoto's Man, Woman & The Wall (Kikareta Onna) to TLA Releasing. Eleven Arts is handling the title for Tokyo-based producer Transformer.
Toei rules Japan's Golden Week box office period

14-May-2008
Toei Studios was the undisputed champion of this year's 'Golden Week' box office period in Japan, led by the success of big screen TV adaptation Partners: The Movie (Aibo - Gekijoban).
TBSannounces details of sequel toMiike's Crows

14-May-2008
Japan's Tokyo Broadcast System (TBS) is preparing a sequel to its hit high school gang film Crows: Episode 0.
NTV works manga magic with $60m 20th Century Boys trilogy

13-May-2008
Japanese trilogy 20th Century Boys is shaping up to be one of the hottest Asian projects in the market, with Nippon Television Network (NTV) closing a slew of sales to Asian territories in the run-up to Cannes. Key among the deals is the acquisition of all Korean rights by exhibitor-distributor Megabox. It represents Megabox's biggest purchase to date since expanding into film distribution early last year. The deal was negotiated by NTV's ...
Gaga's Cyborg She finds real-life home with Bogeydom

13-May-2008
Canada's Bogeydom Enterprises has picked up North American and European rights to action title Cyborg She, directed by Korea's Kwak Jae-young, from Japan's Gaga Films. Gaga has already sealed a raft of Asian deals on the film which has gone to Intercontinental for Hong Kong, Sahamongkol for Thailand, Serenity Entertainment for Taiwan and Scorpio East for Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. The CGI-heavy film tells ...
Shochiku to launch video-on-demand service

28-Apr-2008
Japanese major studio Shochiku has announced the launch of a video-on-demand (VoD) service which will stream movies from its library of over 2,000 titles. Dubbed 'Shochiku Online', the service will launch on May 21.
Fuji TV's Shaolin Girl sells throughout Asia

28-Apr-2008
Katsuyuki Motohiro's martial arts action comedy Shaolin Girl has sold to eight Asian territories, co-producer Fuji TV announced today.
Japan's Usen pulls out of film production and acquisition

17-Apr-2008
Japanese media and communications giant Usen Inc has announced its withdrawal from feature film production and acquisitions, which is currently handled by its wholly-owned subsidiary Gaga Communications.
Kore-eda's latest to walk to Japanese theatres in June

16-Apr-2008
Acclaimed Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda's latest film Even If You Walk And Walk (Aruitemo Aruitemo) will be released on June 28, distributor Cine Qua Non announced today.
Rinko Kikuchi, Ryo Kase to voice Sky Crawlers

16-Apr-2008
Oscar-nominated actress Rinko Kikuchi (Babel) and Letters From Iwo Jima star Ryo Kase will voice the two main characters in Mamoru Oshii's The Sky Crawlers, distributor Warner Brothers Japan announced today.
Miyazaki's Ponyo On A Cliff set for July 19 release

14-Apr-2008
Japan's Studio Ghibli has announced a release date and other details of director Hayao Miyazaki's latest film Ponyo On A Cliff By The Sea.
Kitano unveils new project Achilles And The Tortoise

11-Apr-2008
Award-winning Japanese writer-director-actor Takeshi Kitano has unveiled details of his latest feature film, entitled Achilles And The Tortoise.
Japan's Entertainment Farm launches Singapore-based fund

4-Apr-2008
Japanese production company Entertainment Farm has established a Singapore-based film fund to underwrite features in America and Asia, it announced today.
Fuji TV plans third Bayside Shakedown feature

1-Apr-2008
Japan's Fuji TV is planning a third feature film in its megahit Bayside Shakedown police drama franchise, with Yuji Oda reprising the lead role.
More cancellations for Yasukuni documentary in Japan

1-Apr-2008
Following ScreenDaily.com's March 18 story of controversial documentary Yasukuni's cancellation at Tokyo's Wald 9 multiplex, the remaining cinemas in Tokyo and Osaka set to screen the film have followed suit.
Yubari makes strong return to Japanese festival scene

24-Mar-2008
The resurrected Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival (YIFFF) ended its first successful run yesterday since the cancellation of the event in 2006 due to financial problems.
T-Joy pulls Yasukuni doc from Tokyo theatre

19-Mar-2008
Japan-based Chinese-born director Li Ying's controversial documentary Yasukuni has had its theatrical release cancelled by exhibitor T-Joy.
Avex and Bill Kong create $16.75m Irresistible film fund

7-Mar-2008
Japan's Avex Group Holdings has announced the establishment of a 10-year $16.75m film fund in partnership with major film producer Bill Kong.
Unfinished Kurosawa film to be completed

2-Mar-2008
An unfinished 1983 documentary by famed Japanese director Akira Kurosawa will be completed and released in time for the 100th anniversary of the filmmaker's birth in 2010.
Distribution - Japan - Content on the move

29-Feb-2008
In Japan, cable TV and satellite are still small markets. Japanese audiences watch the big five networks en masse, rented more than 25 million DVDs last year (the preferred way to watch US TV shows such as 24) and go to the cinema - in that order. The VoD market, such as it is, is dominated by non-feature-film content such as music videos, trailers and promos, sports and adult content.
Japan's NTV unveils slate with Miyazaki's latest

28-Feb-2008
Japan's Nippon Television Network (NTV) has announced its nine-filmslate for the upcoming fiscal year, headlined by the return of animation giant Hayao Miyazaki with his latest, and possibly final, effort Ponyo On A Cliff.
Tokyo Tower scoops top prizes at Japan Academy Awards

18-Feb-2008
Joji (George) Matsuoka's Tokyo Tower: Mom & Me, And Sometimes Dad has been named Best Picture of 2007 at the 31st Japan Academy Awards, held Friday evening (Feb 15) in Tokyo.
Cine Qua Non, Creek & River partner for Korean push

15-Feb-2008
The Korean subsidiaries of Japanese film producer-distributor-exhibitor Cine Qua Non (CQN) and contents rights management company Creek & River have partnered to promote Japanese films in the Korean market.
Japanese director Kon Ichikawa dies aged 92

14-Feb-2008
Famed Japanese director Kon Ichikawa has died of pneumonia at a Tokyo hospital, according to family members. He was 92-years-old.
L: Change The World has biggest opening of the year in Japan

13-Feb-2008
Death Note series sequel L: Change The World opened at the top of the Japanese box office, achieving the biggest single weekend earnings of the year so far.
Chesuto! to have world premiere at Hong Kong Filmart

8-Feb-2008
The Tokyo International Film Festival and TIFFCOM market will hold the world premiere of Toshiro Saiga's Chesuto! at this year's Hong Kong Filmart on March 18.
Hoshino appointed president of Japan's Studio Ghibli

4-Feb-2008
Japan 's Studio Ghibli has announced that Koji Hoshino has taken over as company president from Toshio Suzuki as of February 1.
Imports gain upper hand at flat Japanese box office

1-Feb-2008
According to annual data published today by The Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan (Eiren), overall box office revenues for 2007 totalled $1.87bn (Y198.44bn), a 2.2% decrease from 2006's $1.91bn (Y202.93bn).
Japan's Sun Music unveils details of debut film production

30-Jan-2008
Japanese talent management company Sun Music has announced details of its first feature film production, a drama entitled Yesterdays.
Japan - Bringing home the horror

25-Jan-2008
Nikkatsu's legendary film studios in Chofu City, a suburb of Tokyo: a set of a weatherbeaten beach house stands in the centre of the studio as gaffers and set dressers work away. Artificial moonlight bleeds through slats in the structure's opaque roof, illuminating decrepit furniture and marine equipment inside.
Shochiku adds Sakamoto, Oikawa titles to EFM line-up

21-Jan-2008
Japanese major Shochiku has unveiled its line-up for the upcoming European Film Market (EFM) which includes new titles from Ataru Oikawa and Junji Sakamoto.
Shochiku picks up Sori martial arts action title Ichi

18-Jan-2008
Japanese major Shochiku will handle international sales of martial arts action film Ichi, directed by Fumihiko Sori and starring Haruka Ayase (Hero) as a female incarnation of the legendary blind swordsman Zatoichi.
Japan's Toho Studios achieves best year in history

17-Jan-2008
Following Screen International's forecast in mid-December, Toho Studios has achieved the highest box offices revenues in the company's history.
Earth topples Legend from top spot at Japanese box office

17-Jan-2008
BBC Wordwide/Greenlight Media's nature documentary Earth has knocked I Am Legend from the top spot at the Japanese box office after the apocalyptic drama spent four weeks in the pole position.
Japan's IMJ, Dub Incset up production label Smoke

15-Jan-2008
IMJ Group subsidiary, IMJ Entertainment (IMJE), has established a feature film and visual contents company as a 50:50 joint venture with film and TV producer Dub Inc.
Suo's I Just Didn't Do It wins top Kinema Junpo honours

11-Jan-2008
Masayuki Suo's I Just Didn't Do It has been ranked best film of the year and awarded three major prizes by Kinema Junpo, Japan's oldest film magazine.
Shochiku lines up sequel to Gegege No Kitaro

7-Jan-2008
Japan's Shochiku Studios is producing a sequel to its biggest hit of 2007, action fantasy Gegege No Kitaro.
Toho set for record annual box office, announces 2008 lineup

14-Dec-2007
Japan's largest distributor, Toho Studios, has surpassed box office earnings of $442m (Y50b) for the fourth year in a row, the company announced. The company's releases during the lucrative Christmas/New Year's period are set to break Toho's record-setting year in 2006.Earnings up until the end of November totaled $476.4m (Y53.63b). December earnings of the year's biggest domestic hit, Fuji TV's Hero, November releases
Japan's Shinobu Yaguchi returns to director's chair

12-Dec-2007
After a three year absence from feature films, director Shinobu Yaguchi is set to direct a new comedy set in the world of air travel entitled Happy Flight (working title).
Japan's Avex establishes arthouse subsidiary

11-Dec-2007
Avex Group film subisidary, Avex Entertainment, has launched an arthouse label PiX Inc, the company announced yesterday.
Eguchi to head cast of Japanese action fantasy Goemon

3-Dec-2007
Yosuke Eguchi has been cast as the lead in the big-budget Japanese action fantasy Goemon. He stars as the legendary 16th century ninja bandit Goemon Ishikawa. The cast also includes Takao Osawa, Ryoko Hirosue and comedian Gori.
Sony Pictures Japan earns $140.8m for best year ever

29-Nov-2007
Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan (SPEJ) has recorded its best year ever in the territory, with current total box office earnings of $140.8m (Y15.5bn) the company announced at its year-end press conference.
Fuji TV's Bayside Shakedown team reassemble for The Guardian

26-Nov-2007
Fuji TV's head feature film producer Chihiro Kameyama will reunite with the writer behind hit franchise Bayside Shakedown to produce police drama The Guardian (Dare Mo Mamotte Kurenai). Ryoichi Kimizuka is set to write and direct The Guardian (working title), starring Koichi Sato (Suite Dreams) as a detective who ...
Israel's Tehilim takes top prize at Tokyo Filmex

25-Nov-2007
French director Raphaël Nadjari's Tehilim was awarded the Grand Prize at the conclusion of the 8th edition of Tokyo Filmex (Nov 17-25). The award carried a cash prize of Y1m ($9,235).
Tom Yoda named chairman of Tokyo International Film Festival

16-Nov-2007
Tatsumi (Tom) Yoda has been named chairman of the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF). The announcement was made at the monthly board of director's meeting of the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan (Eiren). Yoda will chair the 21st edition for an unspecified term.
Kuroki heads cast of pan-Asian production Subaru

12-Nov-2007
Japanese actress Meisa Kuroki (Crows: Episode 0) is headlining the cast of pan-Asian production Subaru, it was announced at a weekend press conference in Shanghai.
Three-way battle in $16.68m Japanese box office weekend

5-Nov-2007
Resident Evil: Extinction, distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment, triumphed in a threeway battle at the Japanese box office at the weekend.
Toho to remake Kurosawa's Hidden Fortress

30-Oct-2007
Japanese studio Toho is set to produce a remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1958 samurai film The Hidden Fortress, to be directed by Shinji Higuchi.
Crows: Episode 0 flies to top of Japanese box office

29-Oct-2007
Takashi Miike's Crows: Episode 0 grabbed the top spot at the weekend box office in Japan, knocking Fuji TV's Hero down to second place after seven weeks in the number one position.
Israel's The Band's Visit takes top prize in Tokyo

28-Oct-2007
In a unanimous jury decision, Eran Kolirin's The Band's Visit (Bikur Ha-Tizmoret) was awarded the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix at the 20th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF). The crystal trophy was accompanied by a cash prize of $50,000.
Japan International Contents Festival - Tokyo events gather momentum

19-Oct-2007
The Japan International Contents Festival (CoFesta) debuts this year (September 20-October 28) as a sprawling amalgamation of 18 events running alongside the Tokyo International Film Festival (see sidebar, below). Key international events include the Tiffcom market and its attendant Tokyo Project Gathering (TPG).
Gondry casts Kase, Ito in Tokyo! segment

17-Oct-2007
The cast for Michel Gondry's segment of omnibus film Tokyo ! (working title) has been announced.
Ladd to head Tokyo's international competition jury

11-Oct-2007
The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced the members of its international competition jury.
PUSAN: Germany's Splendid snaps up Japanese duo

10-Oct-2007
Germany 's Splendid Film is continuing its splurge on Asian titles at Pusan AFM by acquiring two Japanese titles - TBS' Crows: Episode 0 and Toei's X-Cross.
PUSAN: Nikkatsu sellsMegane to Korea's Sponge

10-Oct-2007
Seoul-based distributor Sponge Entertainment has acquired all rights to Japanese studio Nikkatsu's indie hit Megane.
PUSAN: Japanese producers pitch trio of projects

9-Oct-2007
Three Japanese companies presented projects to potential investors via UniJapan's J-Pitch initiative, as part of the Pusan AFM's Co-production PRO programme.
PUSAN: Avex, SM Entertainment outline pan-Asian plans

9-Oct-2007
Japan 's Avex Group Holdings and Korea 's SM Entertainment laid out their joint plans for future pan-Asian co-productions at a seminar held at Pusan 's Grand Hotel as part of the Co-production PRO programme.
PUSAN: TBS slate headed by two world premieres

5-Oct-2007
Japan's Tokyo Broadcast System (TBS) has unveiled its Pusan slate which is headed by two world premieres screening at the event - Natsuki Imai's Sky Of Love and Miike Takashi's Crows: Episode 0.
Universal picks up NA rights to Midnight Eagle

5-Oct-2007
Universal Pictures has acquired North American rights to Japanese thriller Midnight Eagle, which is produced by a production consortium headed by Universal Pictures Japan.
Buddha, Jellyfish among competition titles at Tokyo Filmex

26-Sep-2007
Tokyo Filmex announced the full line-up for its 8th edition (November 17-25) at a press conference held today at Tokyo 's National Film Center.
Tokyo International Film Festival unveils full line-up

20-Sep-2007
The Tokyo International Film Festival has announced the full line-up for this year's 20th edition (October 20-28).
Yamada to shoot kabuki feature for Shochiku

19-Sep-2007
Shochiku has announced that famed Japanese director Yoji Yamada will shoot a feature film version of a live kabuki performance next month, which is intended for theatrical release
Japan selects I Just Didn't Do It as Oscar entry

17-Sep-2007
Masayuki Suo's I Just Didn't Do It has been selected as Japan 's official entry to the Academy Awards' foreign-language film category, the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan announced Friday.
Tokyo Filmex to close with Lee's Secret Sunshine

13-Sep-2007
Tokyo Filmex has announced that Lee Chang-dong's Secret Sunshine will be the closing film of this year's edition (Nov 17-25). Additionally, Lee will serve as the head of the competition jury.
Hero tops Japanese box office

10-Sep-2007
Fuji TV's Hero, starring Takuya Kimura,took the number one spot at the weekend's box office in Japan (Sep 8-9), becoming an instant hit with earnings of $9.54m (Y1.08bn).
Silk to close curtains at Tokyo InternationalFilm Festival

4-Sep-2007
The Tokyo International Film Festival (October 20-28) has announced that François Girard's Silk will be the closing film of this year's 20th edition.
Evangelion soars to the top of Japan's box office

4-Sep-2007
Japanese animated feature Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone took the top spot at the local box office over the September 1-2 weekend, grossing just over $2.42m (Y280.4m).
Japan - Production - Out with the new in with the old

31-Aug-2007
After a phenomenally successful year - Japanese productions grossed an unprecedented $920m (Yen107.8bn) at the local box office in 2006 - the territory's film-makers and financiers are continuing their reliance on proven books, comics, manga and TV shows (known as 'gensaku').
Japan - Technology - Jumping between platforms

31-Aug-2007
Broadband
Action thriller Midnight Eagle to open Tokyo film festival

28-Aug-2007
The Tokyo International Film Festival has announced that Midnight Eagle will be the opening screening of the festival's 20th edition (October 20-28).
Kitano to receive newly-created director prize in Venice

24-Aug-2007
The Venice International Film Festival has announced that director Takeshi Kitano will be the inaugural recipient of the newly-created 'Glory To The Filmmaker Prize'.
Pal lines up live-action version of Studio Ghibli's Fireflies

21-Aug-2007
Tokyo 's Pal Entertainment is set to produce a live-action version of Akiyuki Nosaka's semi-autobiographical novella Grave Of The Fireflies (Hotaru No Haka), to be directed by Taro Hyugaji.
Kadokawa, Miike join forces to solve God's Puzzle

20-Aug-2007
Japanese producer Haruki Kadokawa has announced that his next production will be an adaptation of Shinji Kimoto's award-winning science fiction novel Kamisama No Puzzle (God's Puzzle), to be directed by Takashi Miike.
International box office - That rising feeling

17-Aug-2007
Japan's overall box-office earnings for the first half of 2007 totalled $778.2m (Yen92.5bn), a tiny 0.7% increase from the same period last year, according to data from Japan's top 13 largest distributors.
Death Note spin-off L to get same-day release across Asia

10-Aug-2007
L, the spin-off of the successful Death Note series, is slated to open simultaneously in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan on Feb 9, 2008.The pan-Asian release strategy is the widest of its kind for a Japanese film, with more countries possibly signing on. Previous sequel Death Note 2: The Last Name, received its world premiere in Hong Kong, later opening ...
FUNimation acquires three live-action Shochiku titles

2-Aug-2007
US-based FUNimation Entertainment has acquired three live-action titles produced by Japanese major Shochiku.
Japan's box office remains flat in first half of 2007

30-Jul-2007
Japan's overall box office earnings for the first half of 2007 totalled $778.22m (Y92.52bn), a tiny 0.7% increase over the same period last year, according to data from Japan's top 13 largest distributors.
William Ireton: the interpreter

27-Jul-2007
First he brought the Hollywood A-list to Japan. Now the head of Warner Entertainment Japan is turning his attention to stars closer to home. Jason Gray reports.
Climates wins top prize at Japan 's Skip City festival

23-Jul-2007
Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan's Climates was awarded best picture at the 4th Skip City International Digital Cinema Festival (July 14-22) in Tokyo. The accolade also carried a $82,722 (Y10m) cash prize by fest sponsor Sony.
Suite Dreams director Mitani set to make Magic for Toho

23-Jul-2007
Toho has announced details of Suite Dreams writer-director Koki Mitani's next project. Entitled The Magic Hour, the film will star Satoshi Tsumabuki (Dororo) and Koichi Sato (Sukiyaki Western Django).
Pia Film Festival awards grand prix to Bare-assed Japan

20-Jul-2007
Director Yuya Ishii's Bare-assed Japan (Mukidashi Nippon) won the Grand Prix at this year's Pia Film Festival (PFF), which ran July 14-20 in Tokyo 's Shibuya district.
Monkey Magic leads Japan's quest for summer movie success

18-Jul-2007
Fuji TV's Monkey Magic (original title Saiyuki) has become the first local live-action success of the summer season, grabbing the number two position at Japan 's box office this past weekend.
Japan's BS-i, Tsutaya form joint production label

10-Jul-2007
Japanese digital satellite channel BS-i, owned by broadcaster TBS, and Tsutaya video chain parent company Culture Convenience Club (CCC) have jointly formed a label to produce feature films based on TV programmes.
Tokyo multiplex to screen hit TV show Winter Sonata

10-Jul-2007
A special version of Korean hit television drama Winter Sonata will be screened at Toho's flagship Roppongi Hills cinema in Tokyo.
Kadokawa starts streaming features on mobile phones

3-Jul-2007
Kadokawa Group Holdings (Kadokawa GHD) has begun streaming feature films, TV dramas and animation titles from its library through mobile giant NTT DoCoMo's i-mode cell phone internet connection service.
Kaneshiro to star in first Japanese film in six years

28-Jun-2007
Actor Takeshi Kaneshiro is set to star in his first Japanese film in six years.
Mamoru Oshii set to direct adaptation of Sky Crawlers

21-Jun-2007
Japanese animation director Mamoru Oshii is gearing up to start work on a big-budget adaptation of Hiroshi Mori's five-part novel series The Sky Crawlers.
Japan's Movie-Eye lines up Nightmare Detective sequel

19-Jun-2007
Japanese producer-distributor Movie-Eye Entertainment unveiled its production and distribution slate at a press conference in Tokyo yesterday, which includes a sequel to Nightmare Detective, to be again directed by Shinya Tsukamoto.
Japan's new CoFesta announces autumn plans

13-Jun-2007
Details of this year's newly-established Japan International Contents Festival were announced at a press conference at Tokyo's National Art Centre in downtown Tokyo yesterday.
Tarantino wraps scenes in Miike's Sukiyaki Western

12-Jun-2007
Quentin Tarantino has completed his scenes in Takashi Miike's Sukiyaki Western: Django.
Japan's Skip City digital fest unveils lineup

8-Jun-2007
Japan's Skip City International Digital Cinema Festival has announced the lineup for its fourth edition. Competition features include Heartlines, directed by Angus Gibson (Mandela), Children Of The Moon, Climates, Without You, Steen Rasmussen's Skymaster - A Flying Family Fairytale, Maria's Navel, Skies Above The Landscape, ...
Japan's Bandai Visual lines up Tamagotchi feature

6-Jun-2007
Japanese video producer-distributor Bandai Visual has announced an animated feature film starring the popular tamagotchi virtual pets.
Toho-Towa unveils Universal release slate

6-Jun-2007
Japanese distributor Toho-Towa has announced its upcoming slate of Universal Pictures releases.
Dai Nipponjin beats 'Beat' Takeshi at Japan's box office

5-Jun-2007
Comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto's debut film Dai Nipponjin has beaten veteran helmer Takeshi Kitano's Kantoku Banzai! at the Japanese box office.
Cannes Grand Prix winner The Mourning Forest to air on Japanese TV

29-May-2007
Cannes' newly crowned Grand Prix winner The Mourning Forest (Mogari No Mori) will air on Japanese public broadcaster NHK on May 29, five days before its June 3 theatrical release in Japan.
Japanese master filmmaker Kei Kumai dies aged 76

24-May-2007
Kei Kumai, one of Japan 's most respected directors, died of a brain hemorrhage in the morning of May 23 at the age of 76.
Kitaro sets opening week box office record for Shochiku

10-May-2007
Live-action creature feature Kitaro has become producer-distributor Shochiku's highest-grossing first week release ever.
Nikkatsu, IMJ join forces to launch production outfit

25-Apr-2007
Japan 's Nikkatsu Corp and production company/creative agency Inter Media Japan Entertainment (IMJE) have jointly established a new production company named Dzonot Corp.
Japanese animation Doraemon secures Chinese release

25-Apr-2007
Japanese publisher Shogakukan has announced that one of its recent feature films in the popular Doraemon franchise will screen theatrically in 35 cities across mainland China.
Tokyo to host world premiere of fifth Harry Potter

24-Apr-2007
Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix will receive its world premiere in Tokyo, Japan on June 28.
Lee Byung-hun joins cast of Fuji TV's Hero

19-Apr-2007
Korean star Lee Byung Hun (A Bittersweet Life) will make his Japanese film debut in a feature adaptation of hit Fuji TV drama Hero, co-starring Takuya Kimura (Love And Honour).
Toshiba sells off entertainment division to Hakuhodo

16-Apr-2007
Japanese electronics giant Toshiba has announced the sale of its feature film and home entertainment subsidiary Toshiba Entertainment to advertising giant Hakuhodo.
Japanese pay TV company Wowow establishes feature film label

13-Apr-2007
Major satellite pay tv provider Wowow has announced the establishment of a feature film label, Wowow Films.
Japan - Secrets and lives in modern Tokyo

13-Apr-2007
Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa is one of the few modern Japanese film-makers with worldwide recognition, both as a genre director and as an auteur. With films such as Cure, Pulse and Retribution (which screened at Venice last year) Kurosawa's name is synonymous with J-horror.
Japan's Nikkatsu opens international office in LA

12-Apr-2007
Nikkatsu Corp will open an international office in Los Angeles in mid-April under the name Nikkatsu Pictures International (NPI).Nikkatsu has invested $500,000 of capital to establish NPI, as part of a strategy to position itself at the global film industry's front lines. NPI will focus on strengthening Nikkatsu's international sales and acquisitions. In addition, NPI has entered a partnership with US-based Action5 Inc, which specialises in acquisitions of foreign ...
Japan's JDC sets up international acquisition fund

9-Apr-2007
Japan Digital Contents Trust Inc (JDC) has established a foreign film acquisition fund in partnership with three Japanese distributors.The first phase of the 'Cinema Trust: Acquisition Fund' will provide from $16.76m-$33.52m (Y2b-Y4b) for the acquisition and distribution of foreign-produced feature films. The three distribution partners, chosen for their proven success and longevity, include Movie-eye Entertainment (producer of Nightmare Detective, distributor of ...
Yubari film festival to relaunch under original name

3-Apr-2007
The Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival (YIFFF) will reopen under its original name and mandate in late February 2008.
Imagica Robot acquires majority share in animation company

2-Apr-2007
Japanese post-production giant Imagica Robot Holdings (IRH) has acquired a majority share in animation company Genco, which now becomes a subsidiary in the company's contents division.
Kadokawa returns to directing with historic love story

26-Mar-2007
Genghis Khan producer Haruki Kadokawa has announced his return to the director's chair after a 10-year absence.
Kadokawa Group Holdings launches licensing company

16-Mar-2007
Japanese conglomerate Kadokawa Group Holdings (KGH) has established a licensing company, Kadokawa Production, to handle rights management and licensing for the group's various media subsidiaries.
Japan's VAP ships Death Note DVDs in record numbers

14-Mar-2007
Japanese video distributor Video Audio Project (VAP) has made an initial shipment of 500,000 box sets of Death Note and its sequel Death Note 2: The Last Name for a total of one million discs. The shipment sets a record for any domestic film released in 2006.
Genghis Khan conquers Japanese box office

7-Mar-2007
Shochiku's Genghis Khan - To The Ends Of The Earth And Sea secured the top position at the Japanese box office on its opening weekend, earning $1.6m (Y195.8m).
Tokyo to host world premiere of Spider-Man 3

3-Mar-2007
Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group has announced that the world premiere of Spider-Man 3 will be held in Tokyo.
Shindo to have world premiere at Hong Kong Filmart

27-Feb-2007
The Tokyo International Film Festival has arranged to hold the world premiere of Koji Hagiuda's Shindo (translation: Prodigy) at this year's Hong Kong Filmart on March 21.
Japanese box office hit Dororo spawns two sequels

23-Feb-2007
TBS producer Takashi Hirano has announced that he plans to make two sequels of Japanese box office hit Dororo.
Hula Girls takes top prize at Japanese Oscars

17-Feb-2007
Lee Sang-il's Hula Girls was named best picture of 2006 at the 30th Japan Academy Awards, which took place on Friday night (Feb 16).
Prasad to direct Cohn's remake of Yellow Handkerchief

12-Feb-2007
Indian-born filmmaker Udayan Prasad will direct and William Hurt and Maria Bello star in producer Arthur Cohn's remake of Japanese classic The Yellow Handkerchief, it was announced today at a press conference in Tokyo.
Japanese baseball star to head promotions for Bruckheimer movies

9-Feb-2007
Retired Japanese baseball star Tsuyoshi Shinjo has been tapped to head domestic promotions for three Jerry Bruckheimer productions slated for release in Japan in 2007.
Kadokawa to sell library online through BitTorrent

1-Feb-2007
Kadokawa Group Holdings has announced plans to set up an online pay service in the US offering 200 films from its library beginning this February.
Japanese films take 53% share of local box office

30-Jan-2007
As predicted, Japanese films had their most successful year ever at the local box office in 2006, grossing $884.48m (Y107.75bn) for a 53.2% market share, according to the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan (Eiren).
Shochiku picks up Kadokawa's Genghis Khan

24-Jan-2007
Japanese major Shochiku has acquired international rights excluding Asia to legendary producer Haruki Kadokawa's $25m Genghis Khan - To The Ends Of The Earth And Sea.
Death Note 2 passes $40m at Japanese box office

23-Jan-2007
The second installment in Warner Bros Japan 's Death Note franchise, Death Note 2: The Last Name, has surpassed the Y5bn ($41.2m) mark at the Japanese box office from more than 4.15 million admissions.
Sakuran to premiere in Berlinale Special section

22-Jan-2007
Mika Ninagawa's debut feature Sakuran will have its world premiere on Feb 9 as the opening film of the Berlinale Special section at this year's Berlin International Film Festival, distributor Asmik Ace has announced.
Universal picks up North American rights to Dororo

19-Jan-2007
Universal Pictures has bought North American rights to TBS' period action-fantasy Dororo which has already sold to 20 countries throughout Asia and Europe.
Revived Yubari film festival to reopen under new name

19-Jan-2007
The Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival (YIFFF), which was forced to suspend operations last July due to the bankruptcy of its host town, is set to re-open under a new name and mandate.
Production IG lines up live-action Ghost In The Shell

19-Jan-2007
Japanese animation house Production I.G has reached an agreement with local publisher Kodansha to act as an agent in developing a live-action feature film based on popular manga series Ghost In The Shell.
Iwo Jima tops Japan 's New Year holiday box office

17-Jan-2007
Clint Eastwood's Letters From Iwo Jima was the box office champion during the New Year's holiday period (Dec 23 - Jan 8) in Japan, passing the $30m (Y36.7bn) mark by the middle of last week and holding the top spot for five weeks.
Toho box office grosses reach all-time high in 2006

14-Dec-2006
Toho, one of Japan's oldest studios and its biggest distributor, hasannounced that box office earnings for 2006 have broken an all-time record forthe company.
Iwo Jima takes top spot at Japanese box office

12-Dec-2006
Clint Eastwood's Letters From Iwo Jima beat strongcompetition to become the number one film at the local box office over theweekend, earning $4.28m (Y500m) on 400 screens for a screen average of $10,700.
Index Corp restructures to focus on contents business

7-Dec-2006
TWC has Nightmare for North America, UK, Australia

7-Dec-2006
TheWeinstein Company has acquired North American, UK and Australian/New Zealand rights to Japanesedirector Shinya Tsukamoto's Nightmare Detective, which recently premiered at the Pusan and Rome filmfestivals.
Love And Honor beats Bond at Japanese box office

6-Dec-2006
Yoji Yamada's Love And Honor, the final film in hissamurai trilogy, ranked number one at Japan's box office on its opening weekend, beating Bondpicture Casino Royale which it openedhead-to-head against.
Mobile giant NTT DoCoMo buys stake in Kadokawa

28-Nov-2006
Japan's largest mobile carrier NTT DoCoMo is acquiring a 3.78% stake in filmand publishing company Kadokawa Group Holdings as part of a tie-up aimed atdeveloping content for DoCoMo cellphone users.
Heaven wins grand prize at Tokyo Filmex

27-Nov-2006
Djamshed Usmonov's To Get To Heaven First You Have To Die was awarded the Grand Prize at the conclusion of the 7th Tokyo Filmex film festival (Nov 17-26).
Heaven wins grand prize at Tokyo Filmex

27-Nov-2006
Djamshed Usmonov's To Get To Heaven First You Have To Diewas awarded the Grand Prize at the conclusion of the 7th Tokyo Filmex filmfestival (Nov 17-26).
Japanese films moving towards 50% market share

24-Nov-2006
The market share of Japanesefilms released in 2006 currently stands at 47% and is fast closing in oncombined Hollywood and foreign releases, according to Japan's leading businessnewspaper, the Nikkei Shimbun.
Miike starts shooting English-language spaghetti western

20-Nov-2006
Following months of rumourand speculation, cult director Takashi Miike's Sukiyaki Western: Django is now before cameras. Details of theproduction were announced to the press on location in Yamagata prefecture yesterday.
Japan cracks down on film piracy

14-Nov-2006
Japan's Strategic Council on Intellectual Property has announced measures to crack down on movie piracy.
Korean star Jun takes the lead in $26m Blood: The Last Vampire

3-Nov-2006
Korean star Jun Ji-hyun (MySassy Girl, Windstruck) has beencast in the live-action version of Japanese animation house Production IG's Blood:The Last Vampire, which Bill Kong (CrouchingTiger, Hidden Dragon) is producingwith France's Pathe.
Baseball comedy beats Flags at Japanese box office

1-Nov-2006
French comedy OSS 117 wins top prize at Tokyo

29-Oct-2006
In a surprising result,Michel Hazanavicius' spy comedy OSS 117, Cairo Nest OfSpies was awarded the Tokyo SakuraGrand Prix at the 19th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF). The crystaltrophy was accompanied by a cash prize of $100,000.
Tokyo market draws more buyers but mixed reviews

26-Oct-2006
The TokyoInternational Film Festival's contents market, TIFFCOM, concluded its thirdedition yesterday evening after a three-day run.
Sega to adapt two games into animated features

20-Oct-2006
Sega Sammy Group Holdingsand subsidiary TMS Entertainment Co have announced plans to adapt two of itsmost popular game franchises into animated theatrical feature films to bereleased next spring.
Nikkatsu rolls out library through VoD service

16-Oct-2006
Nikkatsu, one of Japan's oldest film studios, has announced that it willoffer films from its vast library as video-on-demand content through parent companyIndex Corp's "Miranca" VoD and IPTV service.
Letters From Iwo Jima set for Tokyo world premiere

16-Oct-2006
Clint Eastwood's Letters From Iwo Jima will receive itsworld premiere at Tokyo's Budokan arena on November 15.
Tokyo Filmex unveils nine competition titles

27-Sep-2006
Tokyo Filmex hasannounced the line-up for its seventh edition.
Japanese actor Tetsuro Tamba dies aged 84

26-Sep-2006
Tetsuro Tamba, one of Japan's most famous and prolific actors, died of pneumonialate September 24 at the age of 84.
Tokyo to open with Flags, close with Murder

20-Sep-2006
The Tokyo International FilmFestival (TIFF) has announced its full line-up for the 19th edition which willclose with veteran director Kon Ichikawa's MurderOf The Inugami Clan.
Japan names Hula Girls as Oscar selection

15-Sep-2006
The MotionPicture Producers Association of Japan (Eiren) hasannounced Lee Sang-il's Hula Girls as Japan's official entry for Best ForeignLanguage Film for the Academy Awards. The final five films nominated in thecategory will be announced by AMPAS on January 23.
Tokyo Filmex to open with Venice winner Still Life

11-Sep-2006
Tokyo Filmex has announcedJia Zhangke's Venice Gold Lion winner StillLife as the opening film at this year's edition.
Japanese industrial giant buys into Comic Book Movies

8-Sep-2006
Japanese conglomerate Itochu has bought a 10% stake in Hollywood-basedComic Book Movies (CBM).
Fuji TV unveils fourth spin-off in Bayside franchise

4-Sep-2006
Fuji TV has announcedanother entry in its successful Bayside Shakedownfilm and TV franchise - Bengoshi HaijimaHideki (Hideki Haijima, Esq.) - to bedirected by Daisaku Kobayashi and star actor and TV presenter Norito Yashima.
First wave of Blu-ray releases announced in Japan

30-Aug-2006
Sony, Matsushita and majorhome video companies have announced that consumer-priced Blu-ray disc playersand 75 movie titles will be released in Japan this November.
Japan plans early expansion for Sokurov's The Sun

17-Aug-2006
Shochiku promotes Matsumoto to head film division

10-Aug-2006
Japanese studio Shochikuannounced today several changes in the top management of its motion picturedivision. Chiefly, Teruki Matsumoto has been promotedto managing director of the filmed entertainment division. In the position Matsumotowill oversee all production, development and distribution of feature films. He will report directly to Shochiku president Junichi Sakomoto,who himself was promoted ...
Japanese box office poised to beat 2005 numbers

10-Aug-2006
When the list of the top tenreleases for the first half of 2006 was widely reported in the Japanese medialast month, it was clear that the trend toward homegrown hits was alive andwell, with seven of the slots occupied by Japanese films.
Eastwood's Iwo Jima film to open Tokyo festival

1-Aug-2006
Yubari fantastic film festival closes its doors

28-Jul-2006
After much speculation aboutthe future of the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival (YIFFF), it wasofficially announced today that the 17-year-old event is being shut down.
Contest winner cast in Shochiku franchise

27-Jul-2006
In a break from the usualtalent agency system of Japanese movie casting, an unknown 20-year-old actresshas won a role in the 17th installment of Shochiku's long-running Free & Easy comedy series.
Japan's Avex Entertainment plans anniversary film

12-Jul-2006
Japan's Avex Entertainment hasannounced plans to produce a commemorative feature film for release in April2008, in order to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding ofthe Avex music and media group.
April Snow director's cut breaks Japanese record

11-Jul-2006
The director's cut version ofhit Korean film April Snow, starringBae Yong-joon, has broken the all-time record for first-day advance ticketsales in Japan.
Shochiku enlists Centro for live-action Kitaro movie

28-Jun-2006
Japanese major Shochiku andHong Kong-based special effects house Centro Digital Pictures are collaboratingon live-action creature feature Gegege NoKitaro.
Sojitz, DBJ team for animation sales venture

26-Jun-2006
Japanese conglomerate SojitzCorp, its affiliate Klockworx and the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) haveinvested $12m (Y1.4bn) in a limited partnership to buy animation contents andlicense them to the global market.
Dentsu, Mitsubishi launch $18m animation fund

6-Jun-2006
Japan's largest advertising firm Dentsu and trading house Mitsubishi Corp areestablishing a $17.8m (Y2bn) investment fund to produce and distribute Japaneseanimation.
Toei reports record-breaking Cannes sales figures

2-Jun-2006
Japanese major Toei hasreported that it closed around $650,000 (Y73.4m) in sales during Cannes, marking the highest sales figures from a singlemarket in the company's 55-year history.
Kadokawa sets up $18m animation fund

24-May-2006
Gonzo goes Gaga for Peggy Sue

23-May-2006
Japan's Gaga Films and animation house Gonzo will collaborate on an animatedfeature adaptation of French children's book Peggy Sue And The Ghosts: Sleep Of The Demon, written by SergeBrussolo.
Umizaru sequel floods Japanese box office

8-May-2006
Japanese action title Umizaru 2: Test Of Trust, about a teamof coast guard divers, has scored the biggest opening of the year for adomestic film with a gross of $8.64m (Y964m) over the two-day weekend (May6-7).
Japanese conglomerate invests in Klockworx

18-Apr-2006
Japanese conglomerate SojitzCorp has announced the purchase of a 17.94% stake in independent filmdistributor Klockworx for $1.33m (Y157m). Sojitz execs were dispatched to thecompany this month.
Usen Corp buys stake in CJ Media Japan

11-Apr-2006
Japan's Usen Corp, parent of Gaga Communications, has acquired an 8.57% stakein CJ Media Japan, a foreign affiliate of Korea's CJ Media, for a reported $2.53m (Y300m).
Sumitomo buys controlling share in Asmik Ace

4-Apr-2006
Japan's Sumitomo Corp has purchased a further 27.67% of production anddistribution company Asmik Ace Entertainment from Kadokawa Holdings.
Ninja-style Romeo & Juliet drama bought for North America

29-Mar-2006
US-basedNavarre subsidiary FUNimation Entertainment has acquired North American rightsto Shochiku's Shinobi. No theatrical release date has beenset, but the film will open sometime before its DVD release in autumn.Broadcast rights were also included in the deal.
Shooting begins on Taku Shinjo's kamikaze pilot drama

27-Mar-2006
Today marked the first day of shooting on Japan'slatest WWII drama, Ore wa, Kimi no Tame ni Koso Shinini Iku (literal translation I WillDie for You), which centers around Japan'sfamed kamikaze pilots. The project was announced last August by Tokyo ...
Bayside Shakedown duo reteam for Udon

16-Mar-2006
The director and producerbehind mega-hit franchise BaysideShakedown are teaming again on culinary comedy drama Udon which is set to star Yusuke Santa Maria (The Negotiator).
Eastern European buyers pick up rights to Toei's Yamato

16-Feb-2006
TheEuropean Film Market (EFM) sales of Toei's domestic blockbuster Yamato (Otokotachi no Yamato) are progressing smoothly, with twelve countries lockedin so far. Eastern European deals were among the first closed, including Poland's Vision Films, and Slovenia's Fiviapicking up rights for Eastern Europe. Benelux ...

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Jason Gray