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Japan Launches IP360 Grants to Strengthen Game Exports
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has introduced a new grant programme called IP360, aimed at supporting developers building original game intellectual property and helping those projects reach markets outside Japan. The initiative is part of a broader push to expand the country’s creative exports, with games positioned alongside other entertainment sectors as a major growth lever.
Japan does not lack heritage in games, but policy attention is shifting toward what comes next: smaller teams, new IP, and a clearer pipeline from domestic development to international visibility. IP360 is designed to fund not only creation, but also the often under-resourced work of making a project viable globally.
What IP360 Funds and What It Prioritises
As reported by Automaton, the programme offers grants of up to 10 million yen for eligible projects, with funding intended for original IP rather than sequels or remakes. The fund is meant to create new exportable properties, not extend existing catalogue value.
Unlike grants that focus narrowly on production, IP360 emphasises outward-facing work that helps a game compete internationally. Funding can be used for localisation and translation, marketing and promotion, and other forms of global outreach.
It can also cover specialist support such as art, music, and other contracted creative work, recognising that small teams often rely on external collaborators to ship at a competitive standard.
The programme also allows for costs related to international industry activity, including travel to overseas events and practical coordination expenses. That focus signals a view of export readiness as a process, not a single milestone at launch.
Accessibility and the Indie Friendly Angle
A notable aspect of IP360 is its eligibility criteria. The programme is open not only to registered companies, but also to individuals and informal teams. That matters in Japan, where many grants and business support structures historically assume a formal corporate entity. By widening access, IP360 could lower the barrier for emerging developers who have a strong prototype but a limited operating structure.
This is also a strategic bet on early-stage momentum. Many promising indie projects stall not because they cannot be built, but because they cannot be positioned, translated, marketed, or staffed at the right moment. IP360 appears designed to reduce that gap.
What Applicants Need to Submit
IP360 is a no-questions-asked fund. Applicants are required to submit a working prototype and a business plan outlining how the project intends to attract audiences outside Japan. That requirement pushes teams toward commercial clarity early, particularly around positioning, market fit, and distribution planning.
METI has also stated it will not interfere with creative direction for selected projects, positioning the programme as support rather than editorial control. If executed well, IP360 could become a meaningful pipeline for the next wave of Japanese indie releases that are built with global audiences in mind from the start.
