News
2025.08.26
IHJ Cultural Lobby Interdisciplinary Talk #9: “Japanese Anime and the US Economy”
I-House will host the November edition of the IHJ Cultural Lobby Interdisciplinary Talk as part of Art Week Tokyo. Over two days, I-House Director of the Art & Design Section Yuko Hasegawa will moderate the program that will explore two globally significant themes in depth.
On November 5, the discussion will center on the ties between the current US economy and the entertainment industry, with a particular focus on how they impact Japanese animation. Featured speakers will be Takashi Washio, a leading producer in the anime industry known for his work on the Pretty Cure series, and Morley Robertson, a journalist and musician whose incisive commentary spans politics, economics, and culture both in Japan and abroad.
By bringing together perspectives from anime production and global cultural analysis, the dialogue will examine how Japan can preserve and nurture its creative assets for future generations.
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 5, 3:00–4:00 pm (Doors open 2:30 pm)
Venue: Iwasaki Koyata Memorial Hall, International House of Japa
Speakers: Takashi WASHIO (Producer), Morley ROBERTSON (International journalist, Musician)）
Moderator: Yuko HASEGAWA (Director of Art and Design, International House of Japan)
Language: Japanese (with English interpretation)
Admission:3,000 yen (IHJ Members: 2,000 yen, Students:1,500 yen)
＊For the member’s spouse or partner, please buy the member’s ticket. Other accompanying guests will be charged the regular price.
Speaker Profiles
Takashi WASHIO (Producer)
Born in Akita, Japan, in 1965, Takashi Washio studied law at Keio University. He began his career at an educational publishing company, later working as a news reporter for a TV station. In 1998, he joined Toei Animation and made his debut as a producer with Mr. Muscleman: Second Generation.
In 2004, he launched Futari wa Pretty Cure, serving as producer for five years through Yes! Precure 5 GoGo! in 2008. Since 2015, he has overseen the Pretty Cure franchise as a general producer, contributing to the production of 22 TV series and 33 feature films to date.
Beyond Pretty Cure, Washio has launched other notable projects, including Kaidan Restaurant, Toriko, Butt Detective, Zentendo, and Science × Adventure Survival!. In 2024, he produced the short animation Amedama, which won seven awards at international film festivals and was nominated for best animated short film at the 97th Academy Awards in 2025.
Morley ROBERTSON(International Journalist, Musician)
Educated in both Japan and the United States, Morley Robertson graduated from Takaoka High School in Toyama. In 1981, he became the first known American to gain simultaneous acceptance to the University of Tokyo and Harvard University via Japan’s entrance exam system. He also received offers from MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Princeton, and Yale. After completing one semester at the University of Tokyo, he enrolled at Harvard, where he majored in electronic music and animation, studying under leading authorities on analog synthesizers. He graduated in 1988.
He has since built a multifaceted career spanning journalism, broadcasting, music, and acting. In 2018, he was a featured speaker at a general meeting of the Japanese government’s Cool Japan platform, and in 2019 served as the face of the Tokyo Shimbun’s promotional campaign. Since 2021, he has been a policy advisor for the city of Himi in Toyama Prefecture.
His acting credits include NHK’s historical drama Reach Beyond the Blue Sky (2021, as Commodore Matthew Perry) and Golden Kamuy (WOWOW, 2024, as Eddie Dunn). His 2024 book in Japanese offering a guide to lifestyles beyond social media and cost consciousness received critical acclaim.
Moderator
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