Professionals Japan Visit Program for Co-Creation: Animation Production 2026 (JICE) – Fully Funded Travel, Flights & Accommodation to Japan

Overview & Description

Introduction: Why This Matters to You

If you run an African animation studio or work as a professional animator, storyboard artist, or director, finding international co-production deals and accessing world-class studio workflows can feel out of reach. This flagship initiative from the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) bridges that exact gap—giving African animation teams direct access to top Japanese anime studios, production pipelines, and industry executives.

Quick Summary: The Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, has launched the Japan-Africa Youth Program: Professionals Japan Visit Program for Co-creation (Animation Production). This fully funded 12-day immersion program will invite 20 African animation professionals (from up to 10 African animation studios) to Japan to foster co-creation, tour legendary anime studios, and build cross-border studio partnerships.

Overview / What This Opportunity Entails

The animation sector across Africa is experiencing rapid creative growth. To link rising African storytelling talent with Japan’s legendary anime production infrastructure, JICE is sponsoring a 12-day industry immersion in Japan.

Selected delegates will gain behind-the-scenes access to leading Japanese anime studios, participate in co-production roundtables, meet veteran anime directors, and explore joint ventures between African and Japanese creative companies.

Core Details & Key Responsibilities / Benefits

Selected animation teams receive a complete international exchange package:

• Full Travel Coverage: Covered round-trip economy flights from your country’s capital, domestic transport in Japan, and transit accommodation.
• Hospitality Included: Fully covered hotel accommodations and provided meals during the 12-day program.
• Studio Access: Direct visits to Japanese anime production houses, post-production facilities, and creative arts universities.
• Co-Production Networking: Dedicated pitch sessions and roundtables to discuss joint production, storytelling, and global distribution deals.

Self-Qualification: Do You Match the Profile?

Review these strict eligibility requirements before submitting your studio’s application:

• Company Nomination Structure: Applications are submitted by Africa-based animation studios/companies (up to 10 companies total). Each company nominates a two-person team:
  1. One Executive / Decision-Maker: A studio owner, producer, or executive capable of signing partnership deals.
  2. One Creative Practitioner: An animator, director, illustrator, or storyboard artist actively involved in production.
• Age & Citizenship: Nominees must be citizens of an African Union member state, aged 39 or younger.
• Affiliation: Must be verifiable team members of an active, operating African animation studio.
• Language: Proficiency in English or Japanese for technical workshops and networking.

AI Application Prompts (Use ChatGPT / Claude)

Copy and paste these custom AI prompts to quickly draft your application materials:

• Prompt 1: Co-Production Proposal Pitch“Act as an animation industry producer. My studio [Studio Name] based in [Country] is applying for the JICE Japan-Africa Animation Co-Creation Program 2026. Draft a 300-word co-production statement highlighting our studio’s creative portfolio in [e.g., 2D/3D animation, folklore storytelling], why we want to partner with Japanese anime creators, and how this visit will help scale our production pipeline.”
• Prompt 2: Studio Profile & Impact Statement“Draft a concise company profile for my African animation studio applying for the JICE Japan Visit Program. Highlight our team structure, key animated projects, technical workflow, and how sending our Executive and Lead Animator will create long-term ties between the Japanese anime industry and our local animation ecosystem.”

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

Follow these simple steps to complete your studio package before the upcoming deadline:

1. Select Nominees: Nominate your studio’s Executive Lead and Lead Creative Practitioner.
2. Prepare Portfolio & Credentials: Assemble your studio profile, reel links, nominee CVs, and passport details.
3. Submit Online via JICE Portal: Click the Apply Now button below to access the official portal and submit your studio package before Tuesday, 8 September 2026 at 23:59 JST.

How to Submit Your Application

Click the Apply Now button below to access the official portal and submit your details directly.