The Cultural Affairs Agency is planning from next fiscal year to assist cultural facilities stream events in a bid to shore up finances in an industry that has been battered by the novel coronavirus pandemic, government officials said.
The agency plans to subsidize half of the capital investment costs when cultural facilities install streaming service equipment and has included an 8.1 billion yen request for the project in its fiscal 2021 budget. Approximately 1,000 theaters and museums nationwide could benefit from the support.
Separately, the government agency has also allocated 1.5 billion yen in the request to subsidize half of the costs to be shouldered by streaming service companies.
The pandemic has forced theaters and museums to cancel or postpone many performances and exhibitions, resulting in operators losing their main revenue sources: ticket and admission fees. The goal is for theaters and museums to provide streaming services when restarting shows and exhibitions, making them viewable to audiences at home and thus opening another revenue channel.
The agency also hopes operators will attract overseas viewers by streaming in multiple languages, furthering the multiplier effect.
The government will also strengthen antivirus measures taken at cultural facilities and has included 1.7 billion yen in the budgetary request to subsidize half the cost for operators to purchase air purifiers and thermal cameras as well as to repair or upgrade air conditioners.
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