Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs

The Agency for Cultural Affairs (文化庁, Bunka-chō) is a special governmental body of Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), established in 1968 to promote Japanese arts, culture, and the preservation of cultural heritage. It administers grants and subsidies supporting film production (dramatic, documentary, and animated), international joint film production, media arts including animation and manga, performing arts, and international cultural exchange. The agency oversees copyright policy, Japanese language education, religious affairs administration, and the protection of national treasures and cultural properties. Its headquarters relocated primarily to Kyoto in 2023, while a satellite office remains in Tokyo.