As Japan works to cement its position as a leading destination for filming, the Tokyo Film Commission (TFC) is making strides to smooth challenges and build on the growing number of international productions shooting in the capital.
A robust filming incentive, burgeoning co-production treaty with Italy and most recently being named country of honour at the 2026 Cannes market has made Japan ever-more attractive for major film productions and high-end TV series. However, production challenges remain a key topic for visiting producers.
As a result, TFC is working to streamline production processes to better host overseas projects.
Japan’s location incentive, which offers a 50% rebate on production costs, has been a significant lure. It has attracted high-profile projects like A24’s The Smashing Machine and Apple TV+’s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, signalling a new era for the nation’s film industry.
The incentive programme, managed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and operated by the Visual Industry Promotion Organisation (VIPO) with coordination from the Japan Film Commission, was extended and expanded in March.
At the heart of this transformation is the TFC, which has been instrumental in smoothing the path for international crews looking to film in the capital. As part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the organisation provides a one-stop shop for filmmakers, offering a range of services from location scouting and permit assistance to liaising with local authorities and communities.
In addition to logistical support, the commission offers direct financial incentives in the form of filming and location scouting grants.
The location scouting grant covers up to 50% of eligible expenses, with a limit of ¥1m ($6,500) per group of scouting within Tokyo. The shooting grant also covers up to 50% of costs, with that amount rising to two-thirds for projects that used the scouting grant as well. Notably, the maximum amount for the filming grant has been increased to ¥10m ($65,000) starting from April 2025.
These can be combined with the national location incentive for costs incurred and filming that takes place outside of Tokyo.
Challenges
While the incentives are now firmly in place to bring major productions into Tokyo, they have not come without challenges.
A TFC spokesperson notes the initial “insufficient knowledge on the location side for large-scale filming”. To address this, the commission sees “building credibility with the local community and police” as a key metric for success with larger-scale international productions.
Another hurdle has been explaining how filming in Japan differs to that of other countries and communication between international and local crew.
“In Tokyo, because of the large population, filming that requires traffic control is challenging, and the preparation phase for permission takes longer than expected,” says the spokesperson. “Also, since both public and private roads are managed by different parties, checking in advance is important. We use our experience to make sure both international and local staff can understand each other early in the process.”
Over the past decade, the results yielded by TFC have been significant. “By strengthening a firm bond with the police, it has been smoother and faster to get permission for large-scale filming that involves major traffic control with the support of the Tokyo Film Commission,” the spokesperson stated.
This collaboration has extended to even the most complex locations. “Even in busy entertainment districts like Kabukicho, we have gained understanding and support for filming,” she added.
The commission’s specific role in the permitting process is not actually to secure permits, as applications are handled by location managers. But they do provide support and advice to help land the necessary permits and host workshops to educate location scouts.
The numbers reflect this growing success. In 2024, the commission received around 300 inquiries, and 250 scenes of filming took place across Tokyo. Production in the city is measured by scene and location, not days.
The year ahead will reveal how the work is supporting what is expected to be an increasing number of international productions in one of the most populous urban areas in the world.
This story originally appeared on Screen’s sister site Screen Global Production
AloJapan.com