The Japan Media Communication Center (JAMCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1991 to serve the public interest. Its objective is to promote international exchange and better understanding between Japan and the rest of the world through broadcasting media, and, at the same time, help foster broadcasting in developing countries and elsewhere in the world.

One of JAMCO’s most valuable assets is the JAMCO Video Library of Japanese TV programs. Every year, JAMCO selects some of the best TV programs made in Japan and produces international editions of those programs. The JAMCO Video Library now contains 1,374 video titles that are available to broadcasters in developing countries free of charge, through the channels of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Japan Foundation. It goes without saying that airing of excellent Japanese dramas, documentaries and children’s or educational programs greatly contributes to better understanding of Japan in other countries.

The JAMCO symposium that is organized annually since the establishment of the organization is an achievement of which we are proud. In a time when the influence of television is tremendously increasing in all parts of the world, it is truly significant to provide an opportunity where experts of the world can exchange ideas and information regarding the media.

The 19th International Symposium, following the on-line format introduced in 2001, takes place on the JAMCO website over a period of four weeks beginning on 1 February 2010. This year, the symposium addresses the theme of “International Exchange in TV Drama Productions,” for deliberations by media experts both in Japan and other countries.

The discussions are expected to be on the various issues pertaining to TV drama in terms of export and import of TV production content that Japan’s government and private sectors are planning to promote, as well as the specific issues that are likely to emerge in export/import of TV dramas. With Professor Yoshihiro Oto of Sophia University serving as moderator and coordinator, the symposium will have the participation of TV producers involved in international exchange, as well as researchers in the area.

Opening with the keynote address by Professor Oto, the Symposium will proceed to the reports on the efforts by regional broadcasting stations to promote the overseas broadcast of their drama productions, the conditions surrounding Japanese TV stations that are unknown to the rest of the world and on the current state of the Korean drama productions. Experts on the state of media broadcasting in China, South Korea, the US and other countries are scheduled to give comments on these reports.

The Symposium welcomes the participation of the audience and is open to comments and questions on the reports presented and on the discussions that take place. All comments and inquiries will be accepted until 28 February 2010.

I would like to acknowledge that this symposium is co-sponsored by the Japan Foundation and has been made possible by the generous grant from the Hoso Bunka Foundation. I must also express my deep gratitude for the invaluable support provided by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) and the National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan.