Japan to Abolish Cool Japan Fund

Aug 21, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Japan's government is moving toward abolishing the Cool Japan Fund, a public-private investment vehicle created to support the overseas expansion of Japanese anime, food culture and other industries, after its cumulative losses reached 54 billion yen.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has decided not to include a funding request for the organization in its initial budget proposals for the next fiscal year, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Cool Japan Fund was established in 2013 as a public-private fund aimed at helping Japanese cultural products and services expand into overseas markets.

However, its performance has remained weak, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, and cumulative losses have grown to 54 billion yen.

In response, the ministry has already established an expert panel to consider restructuring or integrating the fund.

The government plans to reach a conclusion on the future of the organization by the end of 2026.

Source: TBS

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