The Japanese entertainment industry is a powerhouse of soft power , blending millennia-old traditions with futuristic technology to command global attention. As of 2024, it continues to see massive international success through landmark works like Godzilla Minus One and Shōgun . The Core of the Industry
Entertainment workers—especially animators and live performance crew—suffer from extreme overwork ( karoshi ). The average anime animator earns less than a McDonald's worker in the US, despite working 300+ hours a month. The "passion tax" exploits young dreamers.