Leiji Matsumoto, Tetsuya Chiba join politicians & artists to promote manga culture

Members of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the country's current ruling party, established a study group with manga creators on Tuesday. The Study Group on Manga Industry Development hopes to promote the spread of manga culture in foreign countries. The group will also discuss topics such as the protection of creators' rights in digital manga distribution.

Japan's former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akihiro Ohata, the House of Representatives member Yoshikatsu Nakayama, the manga and anime creator Leiji Matsumoto (Ozma, Space Battleship Yamato, Galaxy Express 999), the manga creator Tetsuya Chiba (Ashita no Joe), and about 40 people met to form the study group. The Osaka University professor Kaoru Satou will serve as the group's chairman.

Source: Yomiuri Shimbun