The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival concluded alongside its content market TIFFCOM, as the Japanese government promoted a JPY20 trillion content export target. The events ran from late October to early November at the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center in Hamamatsucho, drawing industry professionals focused on intellectual property ownership and global partnerships.

Anime Reaches Record $28.2 Billion

Global spending on Japanese anime hit a record JPY4.45 trillion in 2025, marking a 15.8% increase from the previous year. Hasegawa Masahiro, editor-in-chief of the Association of Japanese Animations annual report, presented these preliminary figures during TIFFCOM, noting that overseas revenue accounted for 57.1% of the total at JPY2.54 trillion.

"The idea of studios holding the rights to their own works and managing them to generate revenue is growing year by year," Hasegawa said.

Japanese Intellectual Property Drives Market

Rights holders pitched stories in English during the Tokyo IP Market event, while Amazon MGM Studios Japan head Buddy Marini stated that the company is doubling its investment to meet global standards. Registered visitors at TIFFCOM rose 13% to 1,425, bringing buyers, producers, and investors together from 51 countries and regions.

Government Targets and Filmmaker Realities

Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa Ryosei reiterated the goal of reaching JPY20 trillion in overseas content sales by 2033. International producers noted that the IP360 incentive minimum spend of JPY800 million excludes independent films and co-productions, while directors pointed out financial struggles within the local industry.

"I honestly don't think there are any directors in Japan right now who are making a living solely from directing movies," said filmmaker O Mipo.

Global Co-Production Partnerships Expand

Industry professionals at TIFFCOM focused heavily on securing co-producers outside of Japan and Asia, looking toward regions like the U.K., Mongolia, Africa, and the Middle East. Chang Chen-yu, founder of the Taiwan-Japan co-production fund Daily Capital, launched at the market with the aim of raising NT$100 million to back at least five projects over its first two years.

Godzilla Success at the Box Office

Yamazaki Takashi directed Godzilla Minus Zero, which served as the festival centerpiece before its release in Japan. The film earned JPY910 million from more than 590,000 admissions on its opening day, setting a record for a live-action film in the country.