The
Japanese government is facing serious concerns over potential media boycotts,
following the recent release of a United
Nations report that highlighted issues of labor exploitation within
Japanese animation studios. According
to a member of the UN committee, these boycotts could lead to the removal or
prevention of anime streaming on platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime
Video. An article by Nikkei Business revealed that the UN Human Rights
Council’s July 2024 visit to Japan has brought to light “serious problems
within the entertainment and media industry ,” with a particular focus
on the animation and idol sectors.
Among the
main concerns are insufficient salaries for animators, excessive working hours,
a lack of manpower, and the absence of legal protection for contract workers,
who make up approximately 30% of the talent in the industry. The Council's report called for urgent
measures by companies in this sector, including anime production committees, to
ensure decent working conditions for animators and prevent a possible collapse
of the industry.
Production
committees, responsible for financing the creation of anime, are often made up
of investors from large media, production or merchandising companies. This
system has been criticized because, despite the anime industry having surpassed
20 billion dollars, animators have difficulty accessing profits ,
since animation companies usually do not own the intellectual property rights
of the works they produce, which limits their participation in the income
generated by the export of series.
Against this
backdrop, Pichamon Yeophantong, a member of the UN Working Group on Business
and Human Rights, held a press conference in Japan. When asked whether
the report’s findings could lead to boycotts by streaming platforms such as
Netflix and Amazon Prime, he replied that “ there is always that risk ”
and that human rights violations must be addressed.
In
response to the report’s release, the Japanese government established the
Public-Private Council for the Content Industry, an entity that seeks to
provide a comprehensive support program for creators, from their discovery and
training to the promotion of their artistic output and international expansion. The council will also address labor
practices and business relations in the industry, ensuring that creators work
in a healthy environment and receive adequate compensation. Council members
include prominent Japanese directors such as Hirokazu Kore-eda and Takashi
Yamazaki.
An eventual anime
boycott would represent a significant financial blow to Japan, as anime is the
centerpiece of the marketing strategy known as “New Cool Japan,” launched in
June 2024, with the aim of increasing Japan’s cultural and media presence
globally. Although the Japanese government formally responded to the UN
report, noting that some points seemed “incorrect or biased,” anime companies
were not specifically mentioned in its official comments.
Source: NikkeiBusiness Publications
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