Japan is developing an artificial intelligence language-learning app that allows users to practice conversations with anime and manga characters to boost the country’s soft power diplomacy among overseas fans.
The ministry requested ¥1.83 billion ($11.6 million) for fiscal 2027 to support the overseas expansion of content.
The app will be developed by the Japan Foundation following budget approval for the next fiscal year and is expected to be completed by fiscal 2028. It primarily targets young people overseas who are interested in anime and manga, filling a gap in regions where qualified teachers are scarce.
- The Japan Foundation will negotiate directly with rights holders to secure well-known characters instead of relying on original creations restricted by copyrights.
- The foundation is integrating artificial intelligence into its official language-learning services for the first time.
- The initiative aims to provide a low-cost alternative to establishing additional physical teaching facilities in developing economies.
Previous apps and websites made by the foundation have relied on original characters because of copyright restrictions. For this new venture, the foundation plans to negotiate with rights holders to secure the use of well-known characters. The ministry hopes the app will expand access to Japanese-language education in regions where schools and qualified teachers may be scarce.
Japan is increasingly seeking to strengthen its soft power diplomacy. The country aims to turn growing international enthusiasm for its cultural exports into a broader base of fans, particularly in emerging and developing economies across Africa and Central and South America. In those regions, the nation has yet to establish as strong a presence as it has in other markets.
| Metric | 2021 Survey | 2024 Survey |
|---|---|---|
| Total Overseas Japanese Learners | Baseline | 4 million (Up 5.4%) |
| Learners Motivated by Anime/Manga | Not Reported | 61.3% |
| Learners Citing Study in Japan | Not Reported | 37.3% |
| Learners Citing Future Employment | Not Reported | 36.4% |
Data from a Japan Foundation study conducted in 2024 revealed that 61.3% of students at foreign institutions chose Japanese-language education primarily due to their fascination with anime, manga, J-pop, and J-fashion, making it the top reason given. The survey also found that the number of Japanese-language learners overseas reached a record 4 million, marking a 5.4% increase from the previous survey in 2021.
Interest in studying and working in Japan also increased among respondents. The survey showed that 37.3% cited studying in Japan and 36.4% pointed to future employment in the country as their primary motivations.
Additional state programs designed to enhance the nation’s cultural influence feature the creation of professional connections between domestic and international media workers. Furthermore, the plan entails backing authorized platforms to fight copyright infringement and aiding the translators who bring Japanese creations to global consumers.
