As Japan and India mark 75 years of diplomatic relations, their leaders have formally acknowledged what millions of young people already understood: that manga, anime, and visual storytelling have quietly built one of the most durable cultural bridges between two great civilizations. India, now the world's second-largest anime market with 180 million viewers, represents not a passing trend but a generational shift in how nations come to know one another. In recognizing creative industries within their official summit communiqué, both governments are naming soft power for what it has always bee
Lowy Institute
· Jul 23, 2026
· society
· 4 min read
High
Sourcing: Verified
Manga and anime forge Japan-India cultural bonds as governments take notice
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Politics & Governance
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Geopolitical Impact
🌎
Japan and India are formalizing cultural diplomacy through manga and anime, recognizing creative industries as strategic tools for strengthening bilateral relations and youth engagement.
Escalation Risk
low
Confidence
HIGH
Japan
India
South Asia
East Asia
Western markets
Japan leverages its cultural soft power to deepen ties with India, a rising regional power. This represents a shift toward non-traditional diplomacy complementing defense/tech cooperation. India gains cultural prestige while Japan expands creative industry influence in South Asia, countering piracy and establishing market presence. Both nations use culture to strengthen the Quad-aligned partnership.
Similar to how the U.S. used Hollywood during the Cold War to project soft power and influence, Japan is strategically deploying manga/anime as cultural ambassadors to build influence in Asia and counter Chinese cultural expansion.
Bias & Framing
⚖
Article presents Japan-India manga/anime diplomacy positively with minimal critical examination of cultural appropriation, IP piracy, or power dynamics in cultural exchange.
Bias Direction
center-right
Confidence
MED
Celebratory framing of soft power diplomacy; positions government recognition of creative industries as progressive and mutually beneficial without interrogating underlying economic or cultural hierarchies.
rightly sniffed the air on the street
enormously popular
distinctly Japanese aesthetic
solid history of growth
visually rich graphics
manga rage had begun
Indian creators' perspectives on Japanese cultural dominance in their market
Concerns about cultural homogenization or Western-centric anime aesthetics
Indian artists' experiences competing with Japanese imports
Piracy victims' voices beyond corporate publisher concerns
Critical analysis of whether this is mutual cultural exchange or asymmetrical soft power
Labor conditions in anime/manga production industries
Perspectives from Indian youth consumers on authenticity of 'cultural bonds'
Economic Lens
📈
Japan and India are formalizing cultural diplomacy through manga and anime industries, with governments recognizing creative sectors' economic and soft power potential during their 75th anniversary.
Market Signal
bullish
Confidence
MED
Creative industries (anime, manga, gaming, film)
Publishing and media
Intellectual property and licensing
Tourism and cultural exports
Digital content distribution
Indian consumers gain access to legitimate manga/anime products and reduced piracy; increased availability of localized content; potential price changes as formal distribution replaces black market; youth engagement with Japanese cultural products likely to increase.
Both governments may implement IP protection frameworks, establish bilateral content distribution agreements, create tax incentives for creative industries, and develop regulatory standards for digital content. India may strengthen anti-piracy enforcement; Japan may facilitate market entry for publishers. Potential cultural exchange programs and education initiatives around creative industries.