Japan will take the global spotlight next year as the Country of Honour at the 2026 edition of the Marché du Film, the film market of the Cannes Film Festival.
The anouncement was made in Tokyo on Tuesday by Marché Executive Director Guillaume Esmiol and Junichi Sakomoto, Chair of the Executive Committee for Japan, Country of Honour 2026, during the Tokyo International Film Festival.
The selection was first hinted at during TIFF’s opening night, with officials promising more details during the festival week. As Country of Honour, Japan will co-host the Marché du Film’s Opening Night and feature prominently across its panels, networking events and project showcases.
The 2026 program promises a special focus on Japanese animation and genre cinema, industries that have long shaped the country’s cultural identity abroad.
Other initiatives include a summit on Japan’s film industry and a dedicated screening day highlighting the diversity of Japanese cinema. The partnership aims to strengthen Japan’s professional networks within the international industry and boost its profile as a creative powerhouse.
With over 120 years of film history, Japan remains one of the world’s most influential filmmaking nations. Its cinematic legacy stretches from masters like Kenji Mizoguchi, Yasujirō Ozu and Akira Kurosawa to modern auteurs including Hirokazu Kore-eda, Kiyoshi Kurosawa and Naomi Kawase. New voices such as Chie Hayakawa continue to represent Japan in Cannes’ Official Selection, carrying forward the nation’s legacy of visual storytelling.
According to Marché organizers, Japan’s industry currently produces around 1,200 films a year and attracts roughly 150 million cinemagoers annually — a theatrical strength worth $1.3 billion that stands out in an increasingly digital age.
Sakomoto expressed pride in the recognition: “We are truly delighted and proud that Japan has been selected as the Country of Honour. It presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase the appeal of Japanese cinema on a global stage.”
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“We look forward to seeing Japan’s rich film culture, along with its emerging talents and technologies, shine even brighter internationally and contribute to the advancement of cinema both in Japan and around the world,” he said.
Esmiol echoed the sentiment, noting Japan’s “unique place in international cinema” and calling the honour “a personal tribute” to his Japanese roots.
Japan’s participation will be coordinated by the Executive Committee for Japan, Country of Honour 2026, alongside the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). Program details and participating institutions will be confirmed in early 2026.
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The initiative follows previous Country of Honour selections including Brazil (2025), Switzerland (2024), Spain (2023) and India (2022). The 2026 Marché du Film will run from May 12 to 20, alongside the Cannes Film Festival from May 12 to 23.
