Orange Inc. has joined as a member of the "Consortium for Building a Platform for Next-Generation International Manga Distribution," established by Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan.The consortium brings together leading Japanese publishers and other industry stakeholders. Orange CEO Shoko Ugaki participated in the inaugural meeting held on June 18, 2026.The Agency for Cultural Affairs established the consortium as a public-private initiative to address the industry-wide challenge of losses caused by the spread of pirated digital books overseas. According to research by specialized organization ABJ, estimated damages from illegal piracy of Japanese manga reached 688.8 billion yen in 2025.The Agency for Cultural Affairs aims to dramatically expand the official distribution of high-quality translated digital books and, through digital distribution platforms originating from Japan, ultimately achieve a sustainable model in which any manga can be read worldwide. To achieve this model, the consortium will address a wide range of common industry challenges, including the development of localization talent, research and analysis of overseas markets, and collaboration with international trade fairs.Reference: Agency for Cultural Affairs Press Release (Available in Japanese only)https://www.bunka.go.jp/koho_hodo_oshirase/hodohappyo/94392601.htmlOrange Inc. is a global manga company operating from both Japan and overseas. It works across manga translation, international digital distribution, and related technology development in an integrated manner, and has built partnerships with approximately 30 domestic and international publishers. Through "emaqi," a manga-dedicated app launched in North America in 2025 featuring one of the world's largest lineups of English-language manga, Orange delivers outstanding Japanese manga as officially licensed translations — including popular works from its partner publishers as well as "emaqi exclusive" titles unavailable elsewhere.As a consortium member, Orange will share practical knowledge gained on the ground through its expertise in translation and localization, digital distribution for overseas readers, and user experience design to encourage official content use. These insights will help the consortium contribute to the sustainable international distribution of manga."Japanese manga is loved around the world, yet in overseas markets, the supply of officially translated versions has not kept pace with demand, and many readers have turned to pirated content as a result," Representative Director & CEO Shoko Ugaki said. "At Orange, we are tackling this challenge through a new approach that leverages relevant technologies, handling everything from translation to distribution in an integrated way. We are deeply honored to participate as a member of this public-private consortium established by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Orange is committed to actively contributing to this discussion and working toward an environment where people around the world can enjoy officially licensed Japanese manga."