Must-See for Food Businesses Interested in Content Exports! Application Open for 'Seminars Caravan', a Special Program for Businesses Utilizing IP Content

The Ani-Monodukuri Award (hosted by the Ani-Monodukuri Award Executive Committee, and co-hosted by the Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2026 Executive Committee and the KYOTO CMEX Executive Committee), which honors excellent corporate collaborations utilizing anime, manga, and characters, began accepting applications on Friday, May 29, 2026, for its 'Seminar Caravan' to be held in five cities across Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya, Sapporo, and Fukuoka).

This initiative is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and is designed to support the collaboration between Japanese content (such as anime, manga, and characters) and food-related businesses aiming for overseas markets.

Currently, the Japanese government, led by MAFF, is aiming for a further expansion of exports of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and food. To promote the appeal of Japanese food and food culture abroad, the government is pushing for effective promotions that leverage Japan’s strengths, such as anime content.

Specifically, the initiative includes the establishment of the award’s new 'Japanese Food Overseas Promotion Collaboration Special Award' (with applications starting on May 11, 2026), as well as the 'Seminar Caravan' to learn how to utilize content, and the 'Intensive Course on Overseas Food Collaboration'.

[Business Content 1] Establishment and Call for Entries: 'Japanese Food Overseas Promotion Collaboration Special Award' We have established the new 'Japanese Food Overseas Promotion Collaboration Special Award' for this award and have started accepting entries. Businesses can apply with cases where they have utilized Japanese IP content to export and promote Japanese food and food culture abroad.

<Application Guidelines> Eligibility: Excellent cases of product collaboration or advertising promotion utilizing Japanese IP content or original characters, aimed at promoting Japanese agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, processed foods, seasonings, etc., to overseas consumers. Entry Period: May 11, 2026 – June 30, 2026 Award Ceremony: Saturday, September 19, or Sunday, September 20, 2026 Venue: Within the Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2026 venue.

<Selection Committee Members> - Tsuyoshi Natsuno (Director of Research Institute for Information Technology, Kindai University / Representative Director, President & CEO, KADOKAWA Corporation) - Kazuo Rikawa (President, Character Databank, Ltd. / Executive Director, Character Brand Licensing Association) - Atsuo Nakayama (Entertainment Sociologist) - Azusa Matsuda (VP of Business Development, SPJA) - Chiho Gunji (Food Coordinator)

[Business Content 2] Nationwide Five-City 'Seminar Caravan' (Mid-to-Late June 2026) To increase interest in this project and support the first steps toward content utilization, we will hold seminars in five cities across Japan for food-related businesses. These seminars will explain how to apply for the Ani-Monodukuri Award’s special award and offer introductory seminars on promotions utilizing characters, anime, and other content.

<Event Overview> Venues: Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya, Sapporo, and Fukuoka. Main Content: - Overview of the 'Japanese Food Overseas Promotion Collaboration Special Award', application methods, and terms. - Introductory seminar on promotions utilizing content such as characters and anime. - Explanation and recruitment for the 'Intensive Course on Overseas Food Collaboration'. Target: Food-related businesses already involved in or considering content utilization, local media, and food industry organizations. Fee: Free Application Period: May 29, 2026 – June 19, 2026

[Business Content 3] Comprehensive Course Programs and Follow-up to Support Content Collaboration We have prepared practical programs to help food businesses challenge themselves with overseas exports and collaborations utilizing content from the next fiscal year onwards. (1) 'Intensive Course on Overseas Food Collaboration' (Total of 2 sessions in July and October-November / Capacity: approx. 50 people/groups) We will invite practitioners in the licensing business, legal experts, and collaboration/promotion experts to conduct highly professional, practical intensive courses based on overseas case studies.