The Tokyo International Film Festival opened Monday, shortly after Japan’s general election, which kept the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in power but with a reduced mandate. Despite low political turnout, Japanese audiences showed continued support for the entertainment sector, with the local film industry seeing steady growth after the pandemic.
Running through Nov. 1, this year’s festival showcases Japanese box-office strength, with local films projected to drive earnings to $1.88 billion by year-end. The top performer, Detective Conan: The Billion Dollar Pentagram, has grossed $103 million, while Inside Out 2 is the only Hollywood title in Japan’s top ten with $34.4 million.
“Encouragingly, the number of theatrical releases [in Japan] has recovered to pre-COVID levels, and local movies continue their dominance at home with roughly 70% share of gross box office,” said Vivek Couto, executive director at Media Partners Asia.
TIFFCOM, the festival’s industry market, is expected to be busy, with companies like Fuji Television and Tokyo Broadcasting Systems revealing foreign expansion efforts. TIFFCOM will also host panels on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and collaboration opportunities with emerging Chinese studios such as Linmon Pictures.
Reflecting diplomatic shifts, the festival’s lineup includes three recent Chinese films in its main competition. Festival chairman Ando Hiroyasu noted the rise in attendance, saying guest numbers had doubled since last year. “Fortunately, the weather gods were on our side,” he said.
Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, newly re-elected, delivered a video message emphasizing government support for Japan’s content industry. “The Japanese content industry has an export scale comparable to that of the steel and semiconductor industries,” Ishiba said. “The government is working to encourage the next generation of creators and optimize business transactions.”
He also highlighted Japan’s recent co-production treaty with Italy, now in effect, and referenced Marcello Mio, a tribute film marking Marcello Mastroianni’s centenary, as the festival’s closing feature.
The red carpet at the Takarazuka Theater welcomed stars and filmmakers, including festival ambassador Kikuchi Rinko, director Irie Yu and Japanese actor Asano Tadanobu, who stars in the out-of-competition biopic Ravens. International guests included Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming, Malaysian director Chong Keat Aun and Singaporean director Eric Khoo, presenting Spirit World, shot in Japan with Catherine Deneuve.
The festival continues with screenings, panels and industry sessions celebrating and advancing Asian cinema.
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