In 2010, the Japan Tourism Agency will be implementing the Screen Tourism Promotion Project in efforts to contribute inbound tourism to Japan utilizing video media (films, TV dramas, etc.).

The project focuses on communicating Japan's appeal by releasing and screening films, TV dramas, and other video media in various foreign countries that were taken in Japan. This project aims to promote inbound tourism to Japan as well as "screen tourism," a form of tourism which will vitalize communities by developing tourism in various areas throughout Japan through the production of films, TV dramas, and other video content. The project will achieve these by implementing a smooth filming process in Japan to infuse the images of Japan's regions into a final video product, and carry out promotions following the completion of the video thereafter, including joint promotions of the video producers/creators and the region that they shot in.

Accordingly the Japan Tourism Agency is planning to accept applications of video works that would contribute to promoting screen tourism and that wish to receive assistance (model projects). The details regarding applications for entries are outlined below.

• Changes may be made to the items below in the application terms planned for release on 23 August. Please note that the application terms shall serve as the official rules.

1. Purpose for accepting works for assistance
In efforts to promote and effectively implement inbound tourism using films, TV dramas, and other video media (hereinafter referred to as "screen tourism"), works that are to become models for future assistance and collaborations will be sought in order to realize an effective and lasting scheme that can be used by both the content creators and shooting locations. This project also aims to contribute to the drafting of guidelines for promoting screen tourism.

2. Video works accepted
We are looking for video works (film, TV drama, etc.) that are able to communicate the appeal of sightseeing in Japan widely to the rest of the world, and at the same time are planned for shooting, scenario hunting, or location hunting during this fiscal year. The pieces must also allow for cooperation with Japanese undertakings to create more tourism to Japan once the piece is released and screened.

However, works for which the shooting is to be conducted during next fiscal year will be accepted under the condition that scenario or location hunting assistance is requested.

3. Details of assistance
The following assistance will be provided.
1) Provision of information for conducting shooting in Japan
2) Provision of funding

    Shooting assistance: Up to \5,000,000
    Scenario/location hunting assistance: Up to \1,000,000 
    (Applicable expenses: costs incurred while in Japan, including travel, accommodation, vehicle, etc.) 

There are also plans for the joint implementation of a promotion to tie tourism with the pieces and bring the creators and communities of where the video is shot together once the piece is completed.
4. Application period and number of entries accepted (tentative)
There will be two separate application periods. Each piece can only be entered once
(a single piece cannot be entered during both the first and second application periods).
─Application period 1
Period: 23 August 2010 (Mon)─3 September 2010 (Fri)
Pieces accepted: 3 or less
─Application period 2
Period: 25 October 2010 (Mon)─5 November 2010 (Fri)
Pieces accepted: 3 or less

5. Application requirements for works
・Works that are planned to be screened or broadcasted in regions other than Japan
・Works that do not contain content that blemishes the appeal of sightseeing in Japan
・Works that do not contain content that is offensive to public order or morals

6. Entry conditions (tentative)
1) A contract must have already been concluded with a Japanese line producer
2) Cooperation must be made for sightseeing promotions by the region where the video was shot
3) The final product must be submitted

7. Documents for submission (tentative)
1) Application sheet
(Applicant name, genre of work, distributor and name of broadcasting station, planned date of release, requested location for shoot, schedule, number of staff, details of requested assistance, details of the kind of cooperation you can provide to the region where the video was shot)
2) Plans for video production, promotion, etc.
(Synopsis, envisioned target demographic and overview, reason why you wish to shoot the video in Japan, the image of Japan that you wish to convey to your home country through your piece, what PR strategy will be taken when releasing and broadcasting your piece)
3) Overview of production company and production team
4) Budget sheet for production and breakdown of costs that you are applying for assistance

8. Inquiries
International Tourism Promotion Division, Japan Tourism Agency
Directors: Mr. Kawada, Ms. Obora and Mr. Akimoto
Tel: 03-5253-8111 (Extension: #27502, 27516, 27522)
Direct phone number: 03-5253-8923

─Regarding applications
Unijapan (Public Interest Incorporated Association)
Directors: Mr. Tokutake and Mr. Kajiura
Tel: 03-3524-1081
Fax: 03-3524-1087
Email: hideaki.tokutake@unijapan.org

─Regarding the receiving communities for shooting, etc.
Japan Film Commission
Directors: Ms. Sekine and Mr. Murofushi
Tel: 03-6226-6399
Fax: 03-6226-6499
Email: jfc@japanfc.org