OSAKA -- Osaka Gov. Fusae Ohta voiced her support on Tuesday for plans to encourage moviemakers to shoot their films in the western Japan prefecture.
"While Tokyo may also be attractive, I think Osaka is more interesting if you want to shoot scenery that is typically Japanese," she told a regular news conference.
Local business leaders have already suggested that Osaka be transformed into Japan's Hollywood, against the backdrop of the opening last month of major theme park Universal Studios Japan in Osaka's Konohana Ward. Ohta's comments indicated that the prefectural government was also prepared to throw its backing behind the idea.
The governor said the prefectural government was prepared to cooperate to ensure smooth and inexpensive filmmaking by serving as a proxy to file various applications for any authorization needs as well as introducing shooting facilities and extras.
Tokyo has already set up a liaison office for prospective filmmakers, at the strong urging of Gov. Shintaro Ishihara.