RSVP – Japanese Video Game Culture Crossing the Pacific
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Seminar: 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Kane Hall 210 | Free and open to all – registration required
Reception: 7:00-8:30 p.m. | Walker Ames | Tickets: $25 for members, $40 for non-members, $10 for member students and $15 for non-member students
Event location: University of Washington
Japan’s video game and digital entertainment industries have shaped global popular culture for decades—defining genres, aesthetics, storytelling, and business models that resonate far beyond Japan. From iconic franchises to innovative approaches to branding and localization, Japanese creators and companies continue to influence how games are developed, marketed, and experienced worldwide.
Japan Currents 2026: Japanese Video Game Culture Crossing the Pacific brings together industry leaders, creators, and scholars to explore how Japanese video game culture travels across borders and adapts to the U.S. market. Through talks and discussion, the program will examine creative philosophies, business strategies, and the cultural exchange that has made Japanese games a global force.
Keynote speakers:
- Shinji Hashimoto, Senior Vice President at the ForwardWorks Room within Aniplex Inc. and Senior Advisor at Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.
- Ryan Payton, Founding Director of Camouflaj
Co-hosted with the University of Washington Center for Japanese Studies and the Foster School of Business Global Business Center, this seminar will be held at the University of Washington’s Kane Hall. Thanks to generous support from a grant from the National Association of Japan–America Societies, Inc., with support from the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C., the seminar portion of this event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required.