Johannesburg, 24 July 2023 – Comic Con Africa, JETRO Johannesburg, and Japan Street are facilitating discussions around merchandising and content between Japan and South Africa by hosting the virtual Japan Pop Culture Connect seminar on 27 July. If you're passionate about business elements that surround anime, manga, or Japanese pop culture, mark your calendars for a virtual event that promises to bring you closer to the industry's key players.

The online Japan Pop Culture Connect offers an unparalleled opportunity for attendees to connect with license holders and content producers from the Japanese pop-culture industry. The program boasts an impressive lineup of speakers and panel discussions that will delve into crucial topics related to licensing, merchandising, fan art, copyright, and the real value of official merchandise. Attendees will gain valuable insights from industry experts and gain a deeper understanding of the Japanese pop-culture landscape.

The event is thoughtfully designed to foster meaningful collaborations and enable exploration of exciting business prospects within this vibrant and dynamic sector.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 27 July 2023

Time: 9:00 to 11:30 (SAST) / 16:00 to 18:30 (JST)

Venue: https://events.zoom.us/e/view/YFgkLsA8SP2qyqOfz1UtPQ

RSVP link: https://bit.ly/CCA_Japan

Website:https://comicconafrica.co.za/otaku-town/

The keynote for the event will guide attendees on licensing and merchandising for anime and manga characters – held by Managing director for CBLA (Character Branding and Licensing) and president of CHARACTER DATABANK Co., Kazuo Rikukawa. This session aims to dive deep into how South Africa firms can attain these licenses and the process surrounding it’s uses for retail and merchandising. Moreover, in a later session Attorney Christiaan J Steyn (STEYN IP) will hold a talk providing clarity on the age-old debate around fan art VS copyright infringement.

Other sessions that focus on trade include a discussion on how to do business with Japan from a South African perspective – which unpacks expected cross-cultural business expectations and decorum. Additionally, a panel of experts will discuss the real value of official merchandising and how your business can capitalise on Japanese pop culture.

Once the industry discussions have concluded, attendee will also have the opportunity to register for a unique networking session and facilitated meetings later this year (September).

For more information please visit: https://comicconafrica.co.za/otaku-town/

About Comic Con Africa
Comic Con Africa is the ultimate pop culture and gaming festival that is taking place from 22 to 25 September 2023 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre (Nasrec).

As the fourth iteration of the festival, Comic Con Africa offers fans a four-day experience of cosplay, international celebrities, autograph opportunities, photograph opportunities, gaming specials, eSports tournaments, fandom-focused merch, tabletop gaming, trading card games, anime, manga, Q&A sessions, screenings, activations, interactive experiences, and more – there is something for everyone to enjoy whether you are a casual fan or a bona fide geek. Bring the family along! Tickets are available on Howler.

About JETRO
JETRO, or the Japan External Trade Organization, is a government-related organization that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. Originally established in 1958 to promote Japanese exports abroad, JETRO's core focus in the 21st century has shifted toward promoting foreign direct investment into Japan and helping small to medium size Japanese firms maximize their global export potential.

About Japan Street
JAPAN STREET is an online catalogue site that can be viewed only by a limited number of overseas buyers who are invited by JETRO. Once you become a registered member, you can search finest Japanese products on JAPAN STREET anytime anywhere