JapanCountry of Honour

Amuse Creative Studio is a new type of creative studio that creates entertainment in a wide range of genres, centered on the planning and development of IP and its operation, and conducts business globally, making use of the production capabillities that the Amuse Group has cultivated in areas such as film, TV, drama, stage, musicals, artist production, comics and animation.

Kadokawa Corporation is one of the major publishing companies as well as a film production & distribution company in Japan. KADOKAWA has a wide range of IPs from classic film titles of Kenji Mizoguchi, Akira Kurosawa to novels & comics by acclaimed authors including Koji Suzuki, Keigo Higashino and others.

Nihon Bungeisha is a Japanese publishing company founded in 1959 and widely known for its strong lineup of entertainment manga. The company publishes a broad range of genres, including suspense, horror, action, crime, and human drama. Through magazines and graphic novels, Nihon Bungeisha has built a reputation for delivering gripping stories and distinctive artwork that appeal to adult readers in Japan and abroad.

Founded in 1975, Nippon Animation has been one of the largest and best-known independent animation studios in Japan. Nippon Animation has been producing & distributing quality animations aimed toward kids & family for over 50 years with more than 130 titles.

Shochiku Group is a comprehensive entertainment company with core businesses in film, theatre including KABUKI, a Japanese traditional play and real estate. Since its founding in 1895, ​Shochiku continues to evolve with the times, aiming to deliver inspiring films and theatrical performances to audiences in Japan and around the world.

Founded in 1946, Shufu to Seikatsu Sha is a publishing company that has enriched readers’ lives through magazines and practical books. In recent years, it has expanded into a wide range of genres, with its comics division showing remarkable growth. Many of its works have been adapted into anime, reaching larger audiences both in Japan and around the world.

Toei Company, founded in 1951, is a major force in Japanese cinema. Its greatest strength lies in managing the entire filmmaking process in-house — from development and production at its Tokyo and Kyoto studios to distribution, broadcasting, home entertainment, merchandising, and international expansion. Known for titles such as Battle Royale, Battles Without Honor & Humanity and Ju-On, Toei has also achieved global success through IP adaptations and major film festival recognition.

TIFFCOM is the leading audiovisual content market in Asia affiliated with Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF). It brings together a wide variety of content holders focusing on film, television and animation, and has achieved success as a major networking platform, attracting professional buyers and producers not only from Asian countries but also from all over the world.

Japan will take center stage in Cannes as the 2026 Country of Honour, presenting a dynamic program of panels, project showcases and networking events designed to strengthen connections with the global film community while highlighting the creativity and diversity of its vibrant film, animation and content industries. Japan’s presence in Cannes is led by the Executive Committee for Japan, Country of Honour, alongside the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), who work together to support the international growth of Japan’s cultural and creative sectors through trade and investment initiatives.

Art Explora is a foundation with a social mission, committed to making culture accessible to all. It defends a lively, open and innovative vision of culture, bringing together passionate individuals, artists, creators and cultural & digital professionals. Art Explora supports innovation and digital creation, exploring new ways of engaging audiences with unique and transformative experiences. The foundation offers immersive exhibitions, notably through the Art Explora Festival, or soon at a new cultural venue in Saint-Denis.