- ARAB NEWS
- 30 Apr 2025
Since 1975
DUBAI: The Embassy of Japan in the UAE hosted a free seminar discussing entrepreneurship in creative industries, such as anime, manga, and games, featuring a variety of creatives on Nov. 4.
The seminar, titled “Anime, Manga & Games: Seminar on the Entrepreneurship in Creative Industry between Japan and UAE”, provided all creatives, especially youth, with advice from Japanese and Emirati creatives in the field.
Taking place at Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, guest speakers gave their talks in-person or online from Japan.
The seminar started with a speech from the Japanese Ambassador to the UAE, ISOMATA Akio where he shared remarks about the importance and value of the entertainment culture and the best ways of exchanging experiences between the UAE and Japan.
Dr. Muna Al Suwaidi, programs and projects advisor at the Ministry of Culture and Youth, shared impressive details and remarks about the cultural and creative industries in the UAE, including the plan to promote the growth of these industries to be among the most important economic industries in the country.
A representative from the Embassy of Japan in Abu Dhabi told Arab News Japan: “We have invited graduated high school & university students who want to know about Japanese culture to this seminar to learn more about one of the most major industries in Japan. We have received many positive feedback from the attendees of the seminar about the Creative Industry and they are looking forward to be part of it.”
Karl Lal, director of Active Gulf FZCO also told Arab News Japan that he believed the seminar provided a platform to help people “understand various industries in the creative space relating to Japan.”
“Many of the experiences or anecdotes shared were topics that are difficult to come by unless individuals hear these from the people who actually go through the work on a day-to-day basis. I hope that the students who attended the seminar were able to get a glimpse of the various industries and find their unique way to contribute to the field in which they choose to pursue,” he added.
Sudanese animator Vann Oba, who grew up in Abu Dhabi and worked on popular anime series such as “One Piece” and “Bleach,” is one of the in-person guest speakers at the seminar. He shared his journey and experience in the animation industry and discussed the concept and process of animation project.
Had the Honor to work on The ''NARUTO 20th Anniversary PV''!!
— Vann Oba (@Vann_Oba) October 3, 2022
NARUTO means a lot to me growing up!
Working on the OG NARUTO is a dream come True.
Really Thankfull for The opportunity !!T^T
My part from ( 3:40 ~ 3:47 ) And ( 6:17 ~ 6:34)#NARUTO #NARUTO20th https://t.co/fOmb33PNeI pic.twitter.com/yuTo3Acday
CEO of the UAE-based indie gaming company Hello Sir Games, Mohamed Al Jneibi, discussed the entrepreneurship principles that shaped his 12-year experience in the industry.
Jneibi has worked with major Japanese companies to develop content for the UAE market in Japanese and other languages.
https://twitter.com/HelloSirGames/status/1517964903021260800
Makiko Oi Allum, founder and director of the Abu Dhabi-based entertainment company IPSO Arabia, will discussed her journey on how she brought the beloved Emirati children’s animation show “Freej” to Japan.
Karma Lal, Japanese businessman based in the UAE and current director of Active Gulf FZCO, discussed his works as a distributor in the gaming industry.
A special online presentation by Professor Goi Hoe Chin, a Singaporean professor specializing in design thinking, and Hiroyuki Yamada, director for student services at Osaka Design College, was showcased during the seminar.
The free seminar lasted two hours, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time.
