The Japanese government has announced plans to establish a national center dedicated to preserving and showcasing original manga artwork and anime cels. Set to open in fiscal 2028, the tentatively named Media Arts National Center aims to prevent these valuable cultural assets from being scattered or transferred overseas.
The center will serve multiple purposes:
Collection and Preservation
Visitors look at animation cels at a museum in Matsuyama in July 2009.
The facility will collect and store original manga drawings, anime cels, and related materials like artist interview notes and concept sketches. This effort addresses the limited storage capacity and budgets of existing private institutions that have traditionally handled manga preservation.
Exhibition Space
Plans include using part of the National Art Center in Tokyo’s Minato Ward for exhibitions, allowing the public to view these important cultural artifacts.
Training and Research
The center will also function as a training institution for preservation experts and provide opportunities for research and study in the field of media arts.
Digitization Efforts
With copyright holders’ permission, the government envisions digitizing works to enhance accessibility and preservation.
Economic Impact
This initiative recognizes the significant economic value of Japan’s content industry. In 2019, the global market for content including manga, animation, and games was estimated at ¥123.6 trillion, surpassing both the petrochemical and semiconductor industries.
International Context
The development of this national center comes as other East Asian countries like China, South Korea, and Taiwan are also establishing government-supported manga museums. This move aims to strengthen Japan’s competitiveness in the global content industry.
By creating this comprehensive facility, the Japanese government hopes to safeguard its rich manga and anime heritage while also fostering continued growth and innovation in these influential art forms.
Source:- Japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
