Japan Targets Global Piracy Losses with Support for Developing Nations

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Facing an estimated JPY10.4 trillion (IDR 1,159 trillion) in losses last year from illegal uploads of manga and anime and counterfeit character goods, Japan is stepping up efforts to combat piracy by assisting 10 developing countries, including Indonesia and Vietnam.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced plans to support copyright legislation and training programs to curb the distribution of fake products.

Target countries will be selected sequentially from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Measures include dispatching legal experts, raising public awareness, and inviting local company employees to Japan for copyright training.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the main body for official development assistance, will begin assessing local needs in August, with full‑scale aid expected to roll out in April 2027.

“This assistance will also help protect rights when developing countries create their own popular content,” a senior foreign ministry official said Sunday, June 5, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Quoting Kyodo, the initiative aligns with Japan’s broader goal of boosting overseas sales of its content industry to JPY 20 trillion by 2033. The Japanese government is also considering doubling annual support for the sector to around JPY100 billion, up from JPY 55 billion, with the plan reflected in the fiscal 2027 budget request.

Vietnam has already confirmed the existence of several pirate manga sites. During a meeting in May, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung to take effective steps against operators of illegal sites.

By combining legal support, training, and international cooperation, Japan hopes not only to safeguard its own cultural exports but also to strengthen the creative economies of partner nations. ***