Ikeda Kaorimanaging director of the company TIFFCOMis steering the Tokyo content marketplace toward a more integrated role in Asia's rapidly evolving entertainment landscape, leveraging decades of acquisitions and international sales experience to strengthen the platform's regional positioning.
Speaking about her experience in the sector, Kaori notes how her views have changed. “Having spent years in acquisitions and international sales, I have some insight into the ecosystem that helps us build TIFFCOM into a platform that enables seamless and efficient business meetings and information sharing,” she says. “TIFFCOM spans the entire value chain—from rich Japanese and Asian IP to feature films, dramas, animation, and theatrical and streaming content—and we are committed to strengthening its position as a value market in Asia.”
The 2025 seminar program reflects these ambitions, with a particular focus on co-production, intellectual property strategy and Asia-focused expansion. Kaori highlights key gaps in the industry that the sessions aim to address: “As the industry continues to rapidly evolve, interest in international co-production and global adaptation of intellectual property is growing. However, I feel that a lack of practical knowledge and networking remains a challenge.”
To address this issue, TIFFCOM will host workshops where directors, producers and experts will share real-life examples of international co-production and IP adaptation. “These sessions will provide participants with a concrete understanding of the entire process, from project development and financing to distribution and beyond,” explains Kaori.
As for the enduring appeal of Japanese intellectual property—from manga to games—Kaori acknowledges the persistent barriers to cross-border adaptation. “When it comes to animation, I believe many obstacles have been overcome, but in general, commonly cited challenges include the difficulty of managing library rights and the slow pace of decision-making in Japan,” she says. “Additionally, depending on the size of the intellectual property owner, there may still not be sufficient structure and experience to effectively adapt internationally. The intellectual property market serves as one of the key initiatives to address and overcome these challenges.”
Co-production has become a cornerstone of TIFFCOM's strategic vision. When asked what determines successful co-production results in Asia, Kaori emphasizes infrastructure and trust: “Successful co-productions in Asia require both institutional support and a collaborative work environment. While government structures such as film commissions provide financial stability and facilitate approvals, it is cross-border teamwork and trust between creators that leads to true creative results. At TIFFCOM, we strive to create a platform that bridges these two aspects – linking institutional support with human cooperation.”
By going beyond transactional exchange, Kaori sets a more ambitious goal for the market. “In recent years, TIFFCOM has placed greater emphasis on developing relationships that lead to project development and co-productions,” she says. “Thanks to initiatives such as TGFM [Tokyo Gap-Financing Market] and the Tokyo Intellectual Property Market, we strive to be more than just a marketplace—a space where long-term creative and financial partnerships are built.”
