Anime Industry and Education

[Kumiko Sato]

Hello KineJapaners,

I found some of yesterday's news articles quite interesting.  Would 
institutionalization help anime's development?

Tokyo Univ prof Hamano Yasuki's report on Japan Digital Animation Festival: 
he laments Japan's lack of active involvement in institutionalizing 
education on anime and film.
http://www.hotwired.co.jp/culture/hamano/030520/

Chiteki zaisan senryaku honbu, a committee organized by prime minister 
Koizumi, presented a plan to promote film/anime/music industry by 
supporting establishment of graduate programs on film and anime for future 
producers/creators.
http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/news/flash/2003may/21/CN2003052101000476A1Z10.html

Another interesting news from a while ago is the report of income tax 
amounts.  Takahashi Rumiko and Konomi Takeshi are among the tops in the 
"Other" category, thanks to the popularity of their manga/anime last fiscal 
year.  Miyazaki Hayao, the director of the best hit film in the same 
period, only paid 26840000 yen compared to Takahashi's 172140000 yen.  This 
is a good proof of how a feature film director doesn't get paid enough 
compared to a writer of original manga animated for TV.
http://www.zakzak.co.jp/top/t-2003_05/1t2003051710.html
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Kumiko Sato
Assistant Professor of Japanese Studies
Drawer 202
Earlham College
801 National Road West
Richmond, IN 47374
Office Phone: 765-983-1884
Fax: 765-983-1782
E-mail: satoku at earlham.edu
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