The Japanese Market for UK Films - BFI

Independently owned theatres have been increasing in the past 3 to 4 years.
Even so, if a domestic film is first to book theatres, the distributor of foreign films
can end up waiting for a booking for 1 1/2 to 2 years after delivery of the film.
Foreign film distributor Nippon Herald Films was taken over by Kadokawa,
GAGA by USEN and Shochiku is facing difficulties from the impact of big failures
with foreign films. Independent American films and European films are in a
particularly difficult situation.
(2) Domestic Films
Domestic Films - Studio Block Booking Release with Expansion (Toho and
Shochiku)
(For example Hero, Always, Midnight Eagle)
Number of Screens: 300 screens
Advertising Costs: 300 to 400 million yen (US$2.5 to 3.3 million)
Print Costs: 75 million yen (US$650K)
Total Costs: 375 to 475 million yen (US$3.3 to 4.0 million)
Domestic studio films dominate the business of Toho Company. In addition,
television networks such as Fuji TV and TBS produce films which are increasing
in number in recent years. Their policy is to produce and advertise their own
films and achieve the same results as Hollywood majors who spend 1.5 billion
yen on advertising costs for network TV commercials. This may become a
problem in future because terrestrial TV stations can take advantage of their own
TV spots to promote their products. Although TV stations are businesses that are
approved by Government, this might be considered as media monopoly.
Domestic Films- Expanded from Limited Release
(For example Ping Pong, Kisarazu Cats Eye)
Number of Screens: 100 to 150 screens
Advertising Costs: 150 to 200 million yen (US$1.3 to 1.7 million)
Print Costs: 30 to 45 million yen (US $250K to 380K)
Total Costs: 180 to 245 million yen (US$1.6 to 2.1 million)
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