Japan uses large data technology to assess trends in cultural influence

Large data researchers at the University of Tokyo have found a new way to help Japan get out of the economic quagmire by generating an interactive trend map to assess the popularity of Japanese anime, gaming and other content producers across Asia and to identify the most promising areas of popularity.

The Asian trend chart, which is based on an assessment of the popularity of animation, comics or game works, is collected and analyzed by Song, an associate professor at the University of Tokyo, in conjunction with the Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry (METI).

Its statistical sources include microblogs and Wikipedia updates.

In this map, the current trends across Asia are covered, and we can also click on the corresponding area to view the details-including the potential size of the country's comics, animation and gaming markets, and to show predictions of the highest popularity in the headlines.

Users can also search for the title and look at the current popularity and future trends of the work in Asian countries on a small map like the weather forecast.

For example, the current TV cartoon "duo a Dream" in Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and India as a "clear" (ie, rapid rise) state, but in Russia, Vietnam, South Korea and Bangladesh are shown as "cloudy" (That is, no change) state. In Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines and China, the popularity of this classic animation is "Rain", representing its popular degree is gradually declining.

The emergence of this trend map could help Japanese content producers tailor their export strategy to a more intelligent way to cater to the tastes of overseas customers, while also effectively reducing the high cost of market intelligence gathering activities.

The trend map is part of a "cool Japan" project that has been launched by the Government and is similar to the "Cool Britannia" promoted by British Prime Minister Tony Blair. But, to put it in common, the project aims to help Japan find a better market for cultural dumping-comics, video games and animated programs-that could be a lifeline to Japan's reinvention.

But unlike the British approach, this time it is clear that Japan is determined to make progress in public relations – according to the Naver Matome website, the government has earmarked 50 billion yen for the project to set up open private equity funds.

(Responsible editor: Fumingli)