Japanese films outperform foreign films for 1st time in 21 years

http://www.japantoday.com/jp/news/397623

Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 08:31 EST

TOKYO — Japanese films logged a record 107.75 billion yen in box-office takings in 2006, outpacing those of imported movies (94.8 billion yen) for the first time in 21 years, the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan said Tuesday. The association's chairman, Isao Matsuoka, attributed the growth in Japanese films' presence chiefly to a rejuvenation of producers, directors and creative staff members. "Also, gigantic U.S. movies made with computer graphics have lost their initial impact," he said.

The animation film "Tales from Earthsea" directed by Goro Miyazaki, was No. 1 with 7.65 billion yen. "Test of Trust Umizaru 2" came second with 7.10 billion yen, and "Suite Hotel" third with 6.08 billion yen. Among imported films, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" was the biggest hit with 11 billion yen at the box office, followed by "Pirates of the Caribbean: the Curse of the Black Pearl" with 10.02 billion yen and "The Da Vinci Code" with 9.05 billion yen.