WHATS Seminar Vol. 234 [Online] titled above will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025

[Seminar Overview]

• 4:00 PM – 4:50 PM

Latest Trends in Character and IP Businesses
~From the Basics to the Real Front Lines of IP Business~

In recent years, the Intellectual Property (IP) business—especially in anime, games, and manga(Japanese comics)—has been attracting significant attention.
According to a study by Yano Research Institute, the Japanese character business market (including merchandising and licensing rights) is estimated to have reached JPY 2.7773 trillion in FY2024, up 2.9% from the previous year.
(Source: “Character Business in Japan: Key Research Findings 2025,” Yano Research Institute Ltd.)

Japan’s Cabinet Office also reports that overseas sales of Japanese content centered on anime and games are now comparable to major export industries such as semiconductors and steel. Under the government’s “New Cool Japan Strategy,” the content industry is positioned as a core national industry.
(Note: The “Cool Japan Strategy” is a government initiative to promote Japanese culture and creative industries worldwide.)

In this seminar, Takashi Ozawa, President and CEO of A3 Co., Ltd., a company involved in more than 1,000 projects annually in the “IP Real Economy” of merchandise, events, and other initiatives utilizing IP, will give a presentation.
The session will explain not only the basic structure of the IP business but also key trends in the market—such as changes in fan demographics, the shift toward experiential value, and adapting to global markets in real time—offering practical insights from the perspective of an industry professional who is active on the frontlines.

Topics:

1.　Introduction: Why IP Business is Attracting Attention Now
2.　Overview of IP Business: Basic Structure and Ecosystem
3.    The Frontlines of the Market: Key Trends and Field Insights
4.    Future Outlook and What Will Be Required

Presenter:
Takashi Ozawa – President & CEO, A3 Co., Ltd.
After working in sales and new business development at both major corporations and start-ups, Mr. Ozawa founded A3 Co., Ltd. as a one-person company in 2012.
In 2014, he identified the enormous potential of the anime and game IP business and developed a unique strategy combining “IP × Product × Market,” which has grown A3 into a company with 370 employees and over 1,000 projects per year.
Guided by the philosophy of “bringing enjoyment to enrich people’s lives,” A3 continues to expand beyond Japan, sharing the potential of IP with the world.

• 4:50 PM – 17:00 PM
      Q&A Session

[Seminar Outline]

Date and Time: 4:00PM –5:00 PM (JST), Monday, October 20, 2025

Venue: Online Live Streaming

The seminar will be live-streamed through "Deliveru", an online streaming platform provided by Facio Inc.

Fee: 5,000 yen (tax excluded) / 5,500 yen (tax included)
How to Participate:

• After completing your registration, we will send your access ID the day before the seminar.
• The live stream will be hosted on Deliveru, the event streaming platform by Facio Inc. Please click here to log in.
• Recommended System Requirements (in Japanese)
• Test Video Viewing Page
• FAQ

Registration:

 Registration For the Seminar

(You will jump to the registration page in Japanese.)

For inquiries in English, please click here.

Registration Deadline: 5:00 p.m. (JST), Friday, October 17, 2025

Notes:

・This seminar will be conducted in Japanese.
・After your registration, we will send an invoice by E-mail or postal mail.
・Please transfer the participation fee by the day before the event or within one week of receiving the invoice.
・Cancellations will not be accepted after payment.
・This seminar can also be registered via Deliveru, with payment options including credit card, convenience store payment, and Pay-easy.
​・Please note that participation may be restricted depending on the registrant’s industry or job function.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made after 3:00 p.m. (JST) on the business day before the event or on the day of the event without prior notice will incur a full participation fee charge, regardless of payment status.

Contact:

For inquiries in English, please click here.
Yano Research Institute Ltd.