The Japan Media Communication Center changed its legal status to a general incorporated foundation in March 2013 in line with the reform of Japan’s public interest corporation legislation. Our name in English remains the same: Japan Media Communication Center, or JAMCO. Through the international exchange of television programs, JAMCO endeavors to foster mutual understanding between Japan and other countries, and to contribute to the advancement of broadcasting culture in developing countries and around the world.

As a key part of this endeavor, JAMCO provides international editions of Japanese TV programs without cost to TV stations in developing countries in Asia, Oceania, Africa, the Middle and Near East, as well as Central and South America. As of January 2014, 9,882 titles were made available in 90 countries. In addition to offering programs to TV stations, JAMCO supports education in developing countries by providing these programs free of charge to universities. To produce the international editions, JAMCO selects Japanese TV programs which are considered suitable for overseas audiences, particularly in developing countries, and translates them into English, Spanish, French, and other languages as well as creating music and effects (ME) tracks. Our library has now grown to 1,521 titles including documentaries, children’s and educational programs, and dramas. Most recently, we have produced international editions of TV programs covering the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, and of those related to preparedness for tsunami and other natural disasters. These have attracted a great deal of interest from TV stations in developing countries and been provided free of charge around the world.
By providing TV programs of international edition from Japan either for broadcasting in the original language, such as English and Spanish, or for further translation into a local language, we hope to support the efforts of developing countries in disaster preparedness, education, health and hygiene, technology, and environment on top of contributing to better understanding of Japan’s situation and culture.

The annual JAMCO Online International Symposium is also part of our overarching efforts to promote international exchange through TV content. In an era when TV has enormous influence over politics, economics, cultural affairs and daily life around the world, we believe this opportunity for media experts to share views and information across borders can play a valuable role in deepening international mutual understanding.

The 22nd Symposium takes place on the JAMCO website beginning in March 2014. This year, media experts from Japan and abroad address the theme “The Internet and TV Stations in the Asia-Pacific Region.”
The evolving relationship between television and the Internet is a topic of debate around the world in various contexts, but particularly in relation to simultaneous retransmission. Based on reports from Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Pacific island countries and South Korea, the symposium will seek to review the situation in Japan and present an outlook for JAMCO’s efforts in providing TV programs to developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.

The symposium welcomes the participation of all who visit the JAMCO website, and is open to comments and questions about the reports presented as well as the discussions that unfold.
In closing, I would like to express my sincere hope that the proceedings here will create closer relationship between television and the Internet, and through it, contribute to enhancing mutual understanding between Japan and the Asia-Pacific region.