Japan has been named the 2026 Country of Honor at the Cannes Market, the business hub of the Cannes Film Festival. In this role, Japan will lead the market’s opening festivities and present a large-scale showcase of its film, animation, and content industries. The program is designed to highlight Japan’s storytelling and production strengths, aiming to connect Japanese creators with global buyers, distributors, and partners. This announcement signals a strategic emphasis on Japan’s cinema, animation, and content sectors ahead of Cannes 2026, underscoring opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and international exposure.