wombat_socho

My theory (which I'll ask Justin about if I get the chance) is that the reason an actual model wasn't suggested in the editorial is that no one can really agree on one, and quite frankly, any such model is probably going to have to be born from and advocated for by the Japanese companies. While American companies and consumers hold a fair share of the revenue out there, companies like Bandai still have the keys. Furthermore, the issue of relegating multiple broadcast agreements with the major Japanese TV networks - TBS, Fuji TV, NHK, ABC, NTV and TVK - and their international counterparts can be rather complicated, especially considering that many Japanese networks contribute directly to the operating costs of a series even before it's aired.

Your theory sounds depressingly plausible to me. Perhaps we could encourage the folks at MITI to get involved and perhaps streamline the process? Compared to autos and electronics, anime probably isn't that big a piece of the Japanese export pie, but it also serves a cultural function (making young Americans more interested in Japan) to which MITI probably attaches some value.