Japan Manga Alliance Co. said Friday it will open its first manga and animation goods store in Thailand on Feb. 6 amid increasing efforts to promote "Cool Japan" youth pop culture abroad.
Japan Manga Alliance, a joint venture set up by five major Japanese publishers, will open an "animate Bangkok" store in a shopping mall in Bangkok to sell Japanese manga comic books, animation software and related character goods for local fans.
JMA said in a release it estimates demand for Japanese manga and animation-related products worth ¥5 billion to ¥6.5 billion in Thailand.
The company was established last September by Kadokawa Corp., Kodansha Ltd., Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc. and Animate Co.