Japanese Film Industry Lags Behind Korea and China, Director Pleads for More Support

In a recent discussion at the Tokyo International Film Festival, acclaimed Japanese directors Yamada Yoji and Lee Sang-il shed light on the struggles facing the country's film industry. Yoji, known for directing the iconic 'Shogun' series, expressed admiration for how the Korean government has supported its film sector for decades, and urged the Japanese government to provide more funding and resources for local live-action productions.

Yoji noted that while Japan's animation industry has flourished, the live-action film sector has fallen behind, especially compared to the rapid advancements in Korean and Chinese cinema. He recalled that 60 years ago, when he joined the industry, Japanese films had significant momentum and produced many masterpieces, but the landscape has since shifted dramatically.

Lee, whose film 'Kokuho' was selected as Japan's Oscar submission for best international feature, shared insights into the challenges of adapting a lengthy novel for the big screen. He revealed that the rough cut of the film was an ambitious 4.5 hours, requiring skilled editing to bring it down to a more manageable runtime. Lee also discussed his preference for capturing kabuki theater performances, contrasting his approach with the legendary director Akira Kurosawa's belief that the camera should maintain a respectful distance.

Both directors emphasized the need for the Japanese government to provide stronger support for the film industry, echoing Yoji's sentiment that this is a "national problem" requiring public backing to help the sector regain its former prominence.