Japanese minister Onoda Kimi has made headlines after declaring that Japan must be willing to say “this is Japan” when its content is criticized by overseas standards, emphasizing that the government should support creators without interfering.
At Niconico Chokaigi, Japanese politician Kimi Onoda spoke about the growing pressure on Japanese content from overseas audiences, making it clear that Japan should not simply bend to external expectations. During her remarks, she stated: “Enough already — this is Japan!”
Video footage of her talking at the event:
The tweet containing the video gained 3 million views in about 2 days.
She addressed concerns about foreign criticism of Japanese media, saying that when content is attacked based on “overseas standards,” the government should take a firm stance and protect it. At the same time, she emphasized that creators themselves should be free to work without interference, explaining that there needs to be a mindset of: “the government will “firmly protect [content], so just do what you like”.
Onoda also highlighted that the government’s role should not be to interfere creatively, but rather to support the industry through funding, talent development, and ensuring creators can benefit from their work.
In a separate comment, she pointed out structural issues in how Japan handles international cultural promotion, stating:
“When people ask who the point of contact is for handling manga, anime, and games together—academically and as research—when trying to hold exhibitions like the one at the British Museum in other countries, it becomes a real problem that we can’t give a clear answer.”
Her remarks reflect a broader push to strengthen Japan’s global cultural presence while maintaining its creative independence, especially as anime, manga, and games continue to grow internationally.
Japanese comments in response to this:
“This might be the first time I’ve ever agreed this much with someone holding a minister position. They actually understand the failures of ‘Cool Japan’.”
“Animators’ salaries need to be at least four times higher. That’s how much anime contributes to Japan’s economy. Since wage issues have existed for a long time, the government should step in and provide support to keep the momentum going.”
“It’s reassuring when a minister actually respects creative works. Compared to someone like a ‘cybersecurity minister’ who’s never even touched a computer, Minister Onoda is on a completely different level.”
“I think it’s important for the government to say, ‘We’ll protect things in the end, so create freely without worry’.”
“I trust Onoda on this, but when it comes to actually implementing it, you can already see groups like Keidanren, Dentsu, and old media—basically a bunch of scumbags—trying every trick to sabotage it. Even what they’ve done to Nintendo is already serious, so anime and manga are probably even worse.”
“This ties into the fundamental principle of copyright law. Why has Japan been able to develop such a strong creative culture? Because it respects individual rights, maximizes happiness in cultural activity, and protects incentives through appropriate restrictions, which ultimately contributes to cultural growth.”
“Onoda is just stating the obvious—protect your country’s industries first. Especially at the production level, like increasing animator salaries. If low wages aren’t fixed, Japan’s anime industry will end up being taken over by overseas forces.”
“They crushed creators with the invoice system, so why are they acting proud now? Are the otaku celebrating this just stupid?”
“What are they even saying after introducing the invoice system? If oil or materials like naphtha stop coming in, entertainment like anime and manga will be the first to get cut—or turned into propaganda. I’m embarrassed to share the same hobby space as you. This murderous cabinet.”
“We finally got a reliable person as a minister.”
“All talk. As Minister for Economic Security, they haven’t actually done anything—what are they even doing?”
“‘Government won’t interfere, only support.’ It’s already been proven that the government hasn’t returned any real benefits to creators. Actually, not ‘none’—they do support pro-government celebrities and certain influencers with tax money. What happened to things like past TV promotions of Ghibli? Is defending the pacifist constitution inconvenient for them?”
“This is excellent. When it comes to expressive content, Japan should lead the way. If you create something truly great, the world will accept it.”
“Don’t think I’ve forgotten you supported the invoice system, you piece of trash.”
“For now, just raise animators’ salaries 20 times.”
“I want to ask everyone who saw this—write your thoughts in the replies. Do you really think the government and ad agencies care about creators when even Shigeru Miyamoto, who received top honors from Western governments and was voted the best by IGN, wasn’t properly recognized and was effectively pushed out of the Olympics?”
“Why are they even inviting someone who blocks ordinary citizens left and right despite not being involved with them? Did they get money from the government?”
Too late, Japanese anime and games are already compromised and have wokealizer trannies on their production committees censoring s♥♥t at the source and pozzing s♥♥t up.
One of the most popular anime this season (Witch Hat Atelier) has unironic trigger warnings in its JP source material, zero sexualization of the female characters and characters with vitiligo, like it was speedrunning the checklist of SJW brainrot lmfao
Your s♥♥t’s already poisoned, guys. There isn’t anything left to “protect”, now. What you need to be saying now is “I want to remove this poison, this cancer, this plague from our media!”
You need to be working on a cure, because you already failed to “protect” your media.
WHA manga is a Palestine loving feminist, there is ZERO fanservice in the manga except for fujos. Wrong hill to to stand and die on, bud.
Did you think you added something of value by repeating what I said and then handwaving it?
fag lmfao
That’s the entire issue
Look at this moron acting like leftists in anime is a new thing. Acting like Satoshi Kon, Naoki Urusawa, Osamu Tezuka, Takatou Rui, Yoshihiro Togashi, Katsuhiro Otomo and Hayao Miyazaki don’t exist…..Newfag tourist.
Ah, this cope again lol
The “leftists” of decades ago aren’t comparable to the danger haired freaks spewing idpol brainworms everywhere
Try again, dipshit!
what the f♥♥k is actually wrong with you?
Ah, another dismissive tranny avoiding all the points lol
Right-ranny tourist, Sailor Moon in the 90s had gay sex and males who turn into females. Shinji nearly had gay sex with Kaworu in NGE, anime featured cross-dressing traps way before most of US even knew what it is. Utena is an anti-patriarchy, feminazi work.
Fujoshi BL and yuri (LGBT propaganda) are very common genres.
Tell me all about anime “becoming” woke recently. It’s obvious that you’re a disinterested, clueless, invading tourist who weren’t even here till a few years ago.
Hmmm nope, not reading this tranny seethewall either, fagfaggypoo!
I’m guessing that’s probably another one of your alts, too, considering how dismissive and pozzed the language in it is
So mad~!
@fagtrannypoo 00:49
Nope, ain’t readin’ allat either
Say it on your alt next time bro
@FLTH
And of course, the troon is hand-waving all of my points instead of arguing in good faith.
No arguments, only propaganda. What else to expect from an invading pest.
That’s the right attitude to have. Talk is cheap though.
This is great, though, it’s critical that this translates into real actions taken. A “stern finger pointing” or warning at people like western localizers and payment processors won’t change anything alone.
Still it is great that someone this high in the Japanese government is acknowledging problems like these while also respecting creative freedoms.
Sounds good, but I believe it when I see it.
I hope it’s true. Fingers crossed. That’s how it always should have been.