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Japan is bringing together 10 major broadcasters for its first-ever joint delegation to MIP CANCUN, as the country steps up efforts to expand the international business around its television content in Latin America. The All-Japan initiative, led by the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association (JBA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and the Broadcast Program Export Association of Japan (BEAJ), will mark the first time the group has made a joint market presence outside Asia.
The delegation brings together Tokyo-based key networks TBS Television, Nippon TV, TV Asahi, Fuji Television Network and TV TOKYO, alongside WOWOW, BS Asahi, TOKAI TV, MBS and Yomiuri Telecasting.

A dedicated Japan Pavilion will be located within MIP CANCUN’s matchmaking zone, with each participating company hosting a table for sales meetings and discussions with Latin American buyers. While Japanese content is strongly associated with anime internationally, the delegation will put a particular spotlight on live-action programming, including television drama. The push comes as Japan seeks to increase the overseas reach of its live-action content and build new business opportunities in international markets.

Maria Perez Bellière, Director of MIP CANCUN, said: "As IP development and co-productions become increasingly vital in the entertainment market, the industry is reaching a major turning point," said Perez Bellière. "We have high expectations for this initiative to introduce the appeal of Japan's new content and firmly establish the 'Japan brand' in Latin American countries, with whom Japan shares a long history. We are deeply honored that Japan has united to leverage the unique Latin American market opportunities that MIP CANCUN has spent 13 years building here in Cancun."

The Japanese delegation will also host a dedicated Japan Content Showcase on Wednesday, November 18 at the Cancun Theater Room. The screening will feature programming from the participating broadcasters, with a particular focus on Japanese drama. The showcase will be followed by a networking cocktail bringing together the Japanese companies and Latin American industry professionals for further discussions.

Japan’s move into the Latin American market comes as its government identifies the content sector as a key growth industry. It has set a target of increasing the overseas market for Japanese-origin content from ¥5.8 trillion in 2023 to ¥20 trillion by 2033, with a specific target of ¥0.5 trillion for live-action content. For the Japanese television industry, Latin America offers a market with a long-established tradition of serialized drama, particularly telenovelas, as well as an increasingly streaming-driven distribution landscape.