2025 Explore Japan: A window into location production
2025/9/17
On September 4, the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles hosted “2025 Explore Japan: A Window into Location Production” at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles. Over 150 participants from the entertainment industry join in-person and online attend to learn more about Japan’s location incentive program and filming in Japan.
The event began with presentations by Japan’s Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO) and Japan Film Commission (JFC) who shared about this year’s incentive program as well as resources and support available in regional areas of Japan.
The presentations were followed by a panel discussion featuring producers and executives who were involved with the film Rental Family, which used the location incentive program to film in Japan. JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles President Yuko Kaifu moderated a discussion with panelists Dean Fisher, Joe Malloch, and Jenn Semler, who shared about their experience filming in Japan from various angles. Topics included the appeal of filming in Japan, the benefits of closely collaborating with Japanese companies and location communities, and navigating the location incentive program.
Following the panel discussion, there were presentations by Japanese entertainment companies. The presentations included guest speakers from WOWOW BRIDGE and TOHO Tombo Pictures, which provide co-production services to overseas production companies, and Toei Company, which handles film production and distribution.
WOWOW BRIDGE COO Kayo Washio and TOHO Tombo Pictures Director Georgina Pope shared about their experience facilitating international co-productions in Japan. Yuji Kojima, Board of Directors & Head of Studio and Production Service of Toei Company, introduced the charm of period dramas (“Jidaigeki”) and their state-of-the-art studios.
Consul General Murota then commenced the following networking reception with a toast. The networking reception featured booths by Japanese content companies as well as Japanese companies who provide services supporting filming in Japan.
The consulate also hosted a booth to share about various location incentive programs in Japan, including regional incentives by Himeji City and Gunma Prefecture.
Link for Japan’s film incentive program (2025-26):
https://www.vipo.or.jp/en/location-project/
The event began with presentations by Japan’s Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO) and Japan Film Commission (JFC) who shared about this year’s incentive program as well as resources and support available in regional areas of Japan.
The presentations were followed by a panel discussion featuring producers and executives who were involved with the film Rental Family, which used the location incentive program to film in Japan. JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles President Yuko Kaifu moderated a discussion with panelists Dean Fisher, Joe Malloch, and Jenn Semler, who shared about their experience filming in Japan from various angles. Topics included the appeal of filming in Japan, the benefits of closely collaborating with Japanese companies and location communities, and navigating the location incentive program.
Following the panel discussion, there were presentations by Japanese entertainment companies. The presentations included guest speakers from WOWOW BRIDGE and TOHO Tombo Pictures, which provide co-production services to overseas production companies, and Toei Company, which handles film production and distribution.
WOWOW BRIDGE COO Kayo Washio and TOHO Tombo Pictures Director Georgina Pope shared about their experience facilitating international co-productions in Japan. Yuji Kojima, Board of Directors & Head of Studio and Production Service of Toei Company, introduced the charm of period dramas (“Jidaigeki”) and their state-of-the-art studios.
Consul General Murota then commenced the following networking reception with a toast. The networking reception featured booths by Japanese content companies as well as Japanese companies who provide services supporting filming in Japan.
The consulate also hosted a booth to share about various location incentive programs in Japan, including regional incentives by Himeji City and Gunma Prefecture.
Link for Japan’s film incentive program (2025-26):
https://www.vipo.or.jp/en/location-project/
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| (L to R) Yuji Kojima (Toei), Kayo Washio (WOWOW BRIDGE), Yuko Kaifu (JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles), Consul General Murota, Joe Malloch (Searchlight Pictures), Dean Fisher (Searchlight Pictures), Jennifer Semler (Producer） |
Presentations by VIPO and JFC |
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| Panel Discussion | Presentation by Yuji Kojima, Board of Directors & Head of Studio and Production Service, Toei Company |
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| At the reception | Booths at networking reception |