Press Release
Cool Japan Fund Inc.
Tokyo, March 30, 2015
Investing in a Content Creator Development Business
Cool Japan Fund announced the decision to invest maximum 450 million yen for
KADOKAWA Contents Academy Co., Ltd. (KADOKAWA Contents Academy) towards
the expansion of training schools for content creator in numerous foreign countries.
KADOKAWA Contents Academy, which opened its first school in Taiwan last year,
offers the skills of Japan’s original contents production to aspiring overseas creators byJapanese practical professionals. This funding will accelerate not only their school
business appropriate to each country’s demands for vocational training, but alsoe-learning business and cooperation among Japanese content-related companies. Thecompany will also achieve expansion into twelve countries and regions mainly in Asia,
as well as in Europe and Australia in the future.
Through this project, Cool Japan Fund aims to establish a platform for human resource
development that supports the overseas expansion of Japan’s content industry. It will
cultivate an enthusiastic fan base with an understanding of Japanese content, mainly
among the graduates of the academy, thereby supporting the globalization and overseas
expansion of Japan’s content industry.

KADOKAWA Contents Academy in Taiwan (picture provided by the Academy)

Although Manga, Anime and other Japanese content have already attracted numerous
fans worldwide, it is essential to produce entertainment content suited to local culture
and needs in order to accelerate future overseas expansion of Japan’s content industry.
However, the industry lacks the human resources to achieve this purpose, and isrequired to develop and utilize local human resources who have a comprehensive
understanding of Japanese content production methods.
To address this issue, KADOKAWA Contents Academy was established to provideskills on Japan’s original contents production to aspiring overseas creators under theleadership of KADOKAWA CORPORATION (KADOKAWA), which has abundant
experience in the content business. The academy provides practical training by Japanesecreators in Manga, illustration, voice acting, light novel writing and other areas, anddevelops highly skilled human resources who are able to become professional creators
worldwide. 125 students entered the academy in Taiwan, which opened in September
2014.
For the expansion of this academy into a large number of foreign countries,
KADOKAWA Contents Academy will accelerate their business appropriate to eachcountry’s demands for vocational training, develop e-learning business and strengthen
cooperation among Japanese content-related companies. Cool Japan Fund decided toinvest maximum 450 million yen for KADOKAWA Contents Academy towards theexpansion into twelve countries and regions mainly in Asia, as well as in Europe andAustralia.
KADOKAWA Contents Academy will also receive additional investment from its parentcompany, KADOKAWA, as well as from Kinokuniya Company Ltd. and Pasona Group
Inc.. These companies will cooperate in local promotional activities, human resourcesmanagement activities including the support of job placement for graduates of theacademy, and other initiatives.
Graduates of the Academy are expected to contribute to Japan’s content industry invarious ways, including making their professional debut in Japan, taking up
employment with content providers and other content-related companies, and taking on
the active role of a local partner in international joint production and localization.

Through this project, Cool Japan Fund aims to establish a platform for human resource
development that supports the overseas expansion of Japan’s content industry. It will
cultivate an enthusiastic fan base with an understanding of Japanese content, mainly
among the graduates of the Academy, thereby supporting the globalization and overseas
expansion of Japan’s content industry.

[KADOKAWA Contents Academy Co., Ltd.]
Established: October 2013
Business: Overseas content school business
Head office location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Chairman: Tsuguhiko Kadokawa
President and CEO: Tetsuya Koga
Website: http://www.kadokawa-ca.co.jp/[KADOKAWA CORPORATION]
Established: April 1954
Business: Publication, production/distribution of films, production/sales of anime/games/ toys/ music, delivery services of information and digital contents etc.
Head office location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Representative Director and President: Masaki Matsubara
Website: http://kadokawa.co.jp/[Kinokuniya Company Ltd.]
Established: January 1946
Business: Sales of Japanese/Western books, magazines, office equipment, stationery,information literature, audiovisual educational materials and education equipment,
publication, production of video products and bibliography databases, management ofhalls, etc.
Head office location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
President: Masashi Takai
Website: http://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/

[Pasona Group Inc.]
Foundation: February 1976
Business:・HR Solutions
Expert Services (Temporary staffing), Insourcing (Contracting),
HR Consulting, Place & Search (Placement / Recruiting),
Global Sourcing (Overseas), Outplacement, Outsourcing
・Life Solutions
・Public Solutions
・SharedHead office location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Group CEO: Yasuyuki Nambu
Website: http://www.pasonagroup.co.jp/english/◆Contact for details regarding this document:
Cool Japan Fund
Tel: +81(0)3-6406-7500