{
  "id": 19118845,
  "title": "Government betting on language app powered by anime and AI",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/government-betting-on-language-app-powered-by-anime-and-ai",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-11-09T08:17:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Japan Times",
    "slug": "japan-times",
    "url": "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/11/09/japan/media/mofa-japanese-app/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japan is investing in an innovative language-learning app that harnesses the power of anime and artificial intelligence to teach Japanese. Developed by the Japan Foundation (JF) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' request, the app aims to attract young people overseas who are fans of anime and manga. The project, set to be completed by fiscal 2028, primarily targets a younger demographic interested in Japanese pop culture. The app will utilize AI to enable users to converse with popular anime and manga characters, a feature not seen in previous JF language-learning initiatives that relied on original characters due to copyright restrictions. This marks the first time the JF has incorporated AI into its language services. Japan is leveraging its cultural exports to bolster soft power diplomacy, targeting emerging and developing economies in Africa and Central and South America. A 2024 JF survey revealed that anime, manga, J-pop, and J-fashion were the primary motivations for studying Japanese, with over 4 million Japanese-language learners globally. The government has allocated ¥1.83 billion ($11.6 million) for fiscal 2027 to support the app's overseas expansion. The initiative also seeks to provide access to Japanese-language education in areas with limited resources and serve as a cost-effective alternative to establishing new teaching facilities abroad.",
  "summary": "The planned app would target young people overseas, allowing them to have AI-powered conversations in Japanese with popular anime characters.",
  "key_points": [
    "Japan invests in AI-powered language app with anime characters.",
    "App targets young anime/manga fans overseas, launched by 2028.",
    "First JF initiative using AI, supported by $11.6M budget."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}