13th JAMCO Online International Symposium./Closing Remarks

Closing Remarks

Yukio Oshida
Director
Department of Exchange and Promotion
Japan Media Communication Center

The activities of the Japan Media Communication Center (JAMCO) center around the production of foreign-language versions of outstanding Japanese television programs and efforts to make them available to broadcasting stations in other countries through the Japan Foundation and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These programs, when broadcast in other countries, help present Japan and promote better understanding of Japan abroad.
       The theme of this symposium has been the examination of how Japanese television dramas shown in other countries are introduced and the nature of their impact. The symposium speakers discussed prevailing conditions and problems relating to these Japanese programs in the United States (Hawaii), Korea, and other countries.
       The social and cultural reactions of foreign viewers to Japanese-made programs necessarily bring the issues back to us Japanese. Because of the forces of globalization, Japanese programs are no longer solely for domestic consumption but are shown all over the world, bringing "Japan" into full view before audiences of different cultures. Viewers in other countries do not necessarily see things in the ways that Japanese take for granted. It seems clear that Japanese now need to be able to respond freely and flexibly to the way their programs are viewed overseas.
       Building on the candid feedback received from overseas sources, JAMCO will endeavor to continue producing quality programs in cooperation with Japanese broadcasters.
       I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Koichi Iwabuchi, formerly assistant professor at International Christian University and now at Waseda University, for his assistance from the planning stages of this symposium. I would also like to thank the specialists from Japan and abroad who presented papers and comments, the translators, and people all over the world who viewed the proceedings of this symposium.
       Lastly, I wish to thank our co-sponsor the Japan Foundation, the Hoso Bunka Foundation for its financial assistance, and the Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), and the National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan for their support.