Japan’s Ministry of Finance proposes shared manga platform where global fans can access multiple publishers in one place. The idea involves AI translation

As part of efforts to further boost the international reach of manga, Japan’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) recently proposed the establishment of a shared platform where global readers would be able to access titles from various publishers in one place (source: ABEMA News).

On the 22nd, Japan’s Fiscal System Council, an advisory body to the Minister of Finance, discussed strategies to increase overseas revenue from the domestic content industry. MOF’s proposition for a shared manga platform was raised as part of these discussions. It argued that Japan currently lacks such a cross-publisher platform, while overseas manga distribution platforms hold dominant positions in the market.

It’s worth noting that the idea involves using AI to translate manga into multiple languages, which MOF believes will turn the platform “into a means for readers overseas to enjoy Japanese works, thereby increasing revenue for participating publishers and other stakeholders.” While it’s still just a proposal and not a concrete plan, this aspect of the potential platform is likely to meet friction among global manga fans, as opinions on AI translation are far more divided than within Japan.

ABEMA also reports that for the next year, Japan’s Agency for Culture Affairs and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry have requested a combined budget of more than 250 billion yen (about $1.59 million) which includes subsidies to be granted to publishers on an individual basis. However, considering the widely reported failure of the “Cool Japan Fund,” MOF has pointed out that government agencies have a hard time identifying and choosing prospective companies to financially support.

The council’s recommendations are due to be compiled and submitted to the minister of finance by December, so further updates on the proposed manga platform may follow then.