that put you in the Netherlands
or anywhere in Europe. Areas
can be controlled and dressed
during certain times of the year
providing a very different look
from old-world Japan locations
just miles away.
Matt and Ikumi are filmmakers.
They understand the big
picture. Offering beautiful
locations that exist in few
places, they support film
crews that facilitate the
filmmaker's vision and have
successfully procured permits
for "no limits" road closures
and sensitive location sites
never accomplished in Japan
before. They can nurture
cooperation from enthusiastic
government leaders to make
the impossible possible. They
are in the process of adding
virtual studios to the region,
rehabbing vacant schools as
living quarters/production
facilities, and are pushing
the idea of sound stages and
infrastructure to further help
foreign productions. Japan
and Kyushu in particular, offer
us stunning beauty and a rich
history to offer up to filmmakers
looking to bring their Japanese-
centric stories to the screen.
Once back in Los Angeles,
the tour culminated with
the premiere of Matt Taylor
and Ikumi Yoshimatsu's film,
Musashi-Hikosan Memoirs, at
the Global Stage Hollywood
International Film Festival, at
Hollywood's iconic TCL Chinese
Theatre. This visually stunning
film showcased Kyushu's
unique locations. Following
the premiere was the Kyushu
Locations Forum. A panel
featuring myself, John Rakich,
Tsuyoshi Komiya (Director
of the Nagasaki Prefecture
Tourism Association) and
Yumiko Aoyagi (screenwriter/
showrunner) discussed
Kyushu's potential as an
exceptional destination for
global film productions, igniting
fresh interest in the region's
offerings.
The event also featured an
MOU signing between LMGI
and JapanFilmLocations.com,
outlining our shared objectives
and opening doors for members
with enhanced access and
support for filming in Kyushu.
This partnership strengthens
ties with local governments and
promotes Kyushu as a prime
destination for international
productions.
Michael Wesley/LMGI, Huis Ten Bosch
