Exploring the Treasure Box Japan MIPCOM Showcase

On Monday, October 21, during MIPCOM, Treasure Box Japan will unveil nine new Japanese formats ready for international adaptations. The showcase kicks off at 4 p.m. in the Hi5 Studio in the Palais des Festivals and will be followed by cocktails and networking.

Among the projects being showcased as part of Treasure Box Japan, The Swap Project features people from different cultures with the same occupation swapping lives for a week. The format explores their challenges and experiences while highlighting cultural differences and shared human connections in a comedic and touching way.

The game show DASUNA—Don’t Show Your Pants! challenges contestants to keep their underwear hidden while competing in various tasks. The show promises fun for all ages with its playful twist.

The long-running show Treasure Appraisers, in which guests bring items to be appraised by experts, is being made available as a format for the first time. Viewers discover whether items are valuable or fake and gain educational insights into the historical context of each piece.

The immersive game show Man or Mannequin? sees celebrity contestants race against time to find mannequins hidden around the city. With increasing difficulty, contestants must distinguish between artificial dummies and humans posing as mannequins.

The large-scale KASSO features Japan’s top skateboarders competing on a unique outdoor set. It combines skateboarding with elements of physical game shows such as Ninja Warrior and Takeshi’s Castle.

In the quiz show 100 Man Power (w.t.), 100 contestants challenge an expert in themed battles on topics such as aquariums and ramen, set in locations related to the themes. The flexible format allows for various themes, settings and prize structures.

In the Middle of Nowhere investigates isolated houses in Japan. It uses satellite images to find them and explores residents’ lives through on-site reporting.

Two celebrities compete against 25 fans each (and later, against each other) in Celebrity Fight Club. Developed with Youngest Media Group, the format was inspired by Challengers on Fire.

In The Tortoise and The Hare, one team trains with unreliable online information for a week while the other gets professional instruction. Inspired by Aesop’s Fables, the program contrasts dubious versus expert training.

The Treasure Box Japan showcase event is part of the efforts of BEAJ (Broadcast Program Export Association of Japan). “For over five decades, Japan’s major broadcasting companies have independently pursued overseas expansion, amassing significant expertise in content distribution abroad,” says Masaru Akiyama, chief executive of business management at BEAJ. “This long-standing independence has lessened the need for these broadcasters to collaborate on events aimed at promoting Japanese content internationally. In contrast, newer entrants to the global market have quickly increased their visibility by participating in international content markets, often presenting under a unified national banner. Recognizing the growing importance of collective strength, BEAJ, in accordance with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, has been taking a collaborative approach by driving multiple initiatives to enhance Japan’s presence in the global content market.”

Following the presentations of Treasure Box Japan, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a cocktail and networking session. BEAJ invites interested parties to join them at this networking event and to visit specific booths for more information.