Japan's anime exports poised to match chips and steel

Content can be developed into core industry that erases digital trade deficit

20240813N Demon Slayer

Characters from the "Demon Slayer" anime at the Japan Parade in New York on May 11. The series has achieved much success outside its home market. © Kyodo

YOHEI MATSUO, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japan's exports of anime and other content are close to parity with steel and semiconductor devices, presenting an opportunity to develop a key sector that will prop up the economy.

U.S. sprinter Noah Lyles assumed the unofficial title of the world's fastest anime fan when he won the 100-meter gold medal at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 4. Draped in the American flag, Lyles celebrated by assuming the open-palmed kamehameha pose made famous by the "Dragon Ball" anime franchise.

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