India and Japan have agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of media content industry. The two sides also agreed to encourage and promote cooperation among the film and animation industries of Japan and India through its film festivals, co-production and other collaborative efforts.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari and Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry have signed a Joint Statment in this regard in New Delhi today. Both sides have also decided to set up a mechanism of Joint Working Group to work out various collaborative efforts such as co-production of films and animation, skill development, exchange programmes between training institutes.

Mr Tewari told the Japanese delegation about New Delhi's proposal to set up a National Center of Excellence in Animation,Gaming and Visual Effects at Mohali inPunjab. He also proposed Japanese partnership in the project in view of Tokyo's established strength in the animation industry. Both the Ministers welcomed Japan's Country Focus participation in this year's International Film Festival of India in Goa.

Reciprocating to this, the visiting Japanese Industry Minister, Mr Motegi described the signing of the Joint Statement as historic step. He said Japan is pursuing a strategy for expansion of Japanese content, fashion, tradition and culture to Asian countries.

Later, talking to reporters Mr Tewari said China will be the guest at the Goa Film Festival in 2014.