Japanese pop culture to = cultural diplomacy.... hmmm

[iwakuralain16]

I am bored at work and frequent Asahi's english website. I found this article to be very intresting and thought other members here would as well.

http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asa ... 80110.html

"Specific measures and policies include a program to designate young and upcoming anime creators and dispatch them abroad as "cultural ambassadors."

haha niiice.

[wELCOME cONSUMER]

That's really cool, in a weird way. But what's the real point? Comics are works of outlandish fiction in most cases, so how is that supposed to help diplomats? I can understand comics can help "the private sector" (as the article said) learn more about cultures foreign from their own, but is this even practical? It's very cute and funky, but seems almost pointless.

Thanks for sharing a very interesting and strange article.