Three bits of news

[Bill Thompson]

"graham lincoln" <graham at bubbleboy.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
Subject: RE: Three bits of news

>> 3) The Korean government announced it would even further relax the
>> restrictions on importing Japanese pop cultural products.  Beyond
>> accepting Japanese pop music, the new quidelines allow all Japanese films
>> that have not been restricted to over-18, and now allow animated movies
>> that have won international awards.
>>
>
>
>might that see the industry setting up some sort of arbitrary 'awards'
>system to get their stuff through?
>
>graham
>
Probably not.  This is the third phase for relaxation of import
restrictions.  The first two were tied to feature films which won
international awards, and there was no such consequence.  My guess
is that these restrictions will be further liberalized before
anything else would get off the ground.  Many of the anime already
have cult followings in Japan and, as Markus wrote, are already
easily attainable.

Today's Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/) has an article
on its impact entitled "Japan Pop Culture Feared to Sweep Local
Market."  It does quote one unnamed Korean animation distributor
who states that "If released in theaters, they [the animations]
will beat even the Disney movies."

Bill