Japanese Broadcasters Pitch Nine Dramas for Latin American Adaptations at MIP Cancun

Japanese television networks are preparing to pitch nine distinct drama series to buyers from across Latin America at the MIP Cancun market. The presentations are scheduled for November 18, with the primary goal of securing remake agreements, sales of completed series, and the establishment of co-production partnerships within the region.

The Broadcast Program Export Association of Japan, known as BEAJ, is producing the event. The 30 minute presentation is titled Japan Session 2026: The Next Latam Hit Series from Japan. This specific session is part of a broader All Japan presence at the market, which unites ten Japanese broadcasters under the banner of the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association, or JBA. The initiative is also supported by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Each of the nine participating broadcasters has selected one specific title to present to potential Latin American partners. Nicolás Smirnoff, an executive at Editorial Prensario and a board member of FRAPA, will introduce the trailers in Spanish. The session focuses on how each story could be adapted for local audiences or developed through co-production. Interested buyers will be directed to the rights holders at the Japan Pavilion, which is operated by the JBA, as well as through dedicated networking sessions.

The lineup of titles includes Punch-Drunk Woman from Nippon Television Network Corp. Tokyo Broadcasting System Television is presenting Reboot, while Fuji Television Network has selected kiDnap Game. TV Asahi Corp. has chosen 7 Secretaries, and TV Tokyo Corp. will present Until I Destroyed My Husband’s Other Family.

The remaining four titles in the presentation include Black Familia from Yomiuri Telecasting Corp. Tokai Television Broadcasting is offering Love and Hatred. MBS will present The Yakuza Boss’s Beloved, and Wowow has selected The Man of 0.5.

Sugiyama Makito, the executive director of BEAJ and the executive producer for the session, highlighted the strategic reasoning behind the move. He noted that Latin America possesses a rich tradition of telenovelas, which presents significant potential for Japanese dramas that feature distinctive storytelling and original concepts.

Sugiyama added that by encouraging remakes and international co-productions, the organization hopes to help Japanese content reach wider audiences in the region. This approach aims to create new business opportunities for the participating broadcasters while fostering cross-cultural collaboration.

Smirnoff, who specializes in the Latin American audiovisual business, also represents Prensario International. His involvement underscores the focus on connecting Japanese content with established local industry figures who understand the regional market dynamics.

MIP Cancun is structured around pre-booked meetings between buyers and sellers, with a specific focus on Latin America and Hispanic audiences in the United States. For Japan’s broadcasters, this session represents a strategic attempt to bring stories originally made for Japanese television into a region with deep roots in serialized drama.