The Japanese Market for UK Films - BFI
The Japanese Market for UK Films - BFI
The Japanese Market for UK Films - BFI
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Distribution Sector<br />
Five Domestic Majors Hollywood Subsidiaries<br />
TOHO, TOEI<br />
SHOCHIKU<br />
KADOKAWA<br />
NIKKATSU<br />
Exhibition Sector<br />
Warner B., U.I.P,<br />
Buena V., Sony P.E.,<br />
20C.FOX<br />
TOHO-domestic<br />
TOHO cinemas,<br />
TOHO-imports<br />
Warner Mycal<br />
SHOCHIKU-TOKYU<br />
United Cinema<br />
etc.<br />
etc.<br />
Traditional national chain Cinema-Complex chain<br />
108<br />
Hollywood Co-<br />
Production<br />
<strong>Films</strong><br />
(1)Block-Booking (TOHO, TOEI)<br />
(2)Free Booking (SHOCHIKU, Hollywoods’, others)<br />
Foreign<br />
Independents<br />
<strong>Films</strong><br />
Importers<br />
GAGA,<br />
TOHO-TOWA<br />
Asmik Ace, etc.<br />
Art-House<br />
Independent house<br />
(©Cinema Alliance)<br />
4) Film exhibition sector<br />
<strong>The</strong> major players in the <strong>Japanese</strong> exhibition sector consist of traditional theatre<br />
chains and cinema-complex chains. Toho have the largest networks in both.<br />
British owned Virgin Cinemas Japan was also bought by Toho.<br />
5) <strong>The</strong> relationship between the distribution and exhibition sectors<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Japanese</strong> domestic majors have both distribution and exhibition functions.<br />
Particularly in the case of two of majors, Toho and Toei, these functions are tied<br />
in with block-booking transactions. Other distributors including US majors and<br />
independents need these majors’ networks <strong>for</strong> exhibition, particularly the Toho<br />
exhibition network. This means that a high proportion of screens are dominated<br />
by exclusive transactions. This may be an invisible entry barrier <strong>for</strong> <strong>for</strong>eigners<br />
and independents that cannot otherwise ensure the number of screens <strong>for</strong> their<br />
films.