TOKYO, fifteenth August, 2025 (WAM) — A delegation from the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), led by Khoula Al Mujaini, Executive Director of SAC, has concluded a go to to Japan.
The journey is a part of SBA’s technique to strengthen the Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC) as a globally recognised platform for collaboration, information switch, and the expansion of the animation business throughout the MENA area.
Since its inception in 2023, SAC has grow to be a key occasion within the MENA animation calendar, providing regional expertise and worldwide business leaders an area for collaboration and growth. This go to centered on information switch and partnerships to complement Sharjah’s artistic ecosystem.
The delegation, together with Khoula Al Mujaini, SAC Executive Director; Pietro Pinetti, Artistic Director of SBA; and Moza Al Rand, Head of Events, held conferences with main Japanese animation corporations, together with Nippon Animation, Oh Production and Toei Animation.
They additionally engaged with main manga and e-book publishers Kodansha and Shogakukan, and leisure teams resembling Kadokawa Corporation and Bandai Namco.
The conferences laid the groundwork for collaboration forward of SAC 2026, with discussions on creating content material for Arab audiences whereas preserving Japan’s cultural heritage and storytelling traditions. The goal is to convey Japanese experience to Sharjah and foster long-term cultural and inventive change.
Khoula Al Mujaini mentioned, “This visit to Japan is a critical part of our long-term commitment to SAC. We are building something far beyond an event; our vision is to create a sustainable, vibrant ecosystem for animation in Sharjah and the wider Arab region. By connecting with global leaders in animation, technology, and education, we are bringing world-class expertise to Sharjah and ensuring that SAC continues to evolve as a platform for creative collaboration, cultural exchange, and knowledge transfer.”
The delegation additionally met with AlphaCode to discover integrating digital storytelling, gamification, and immersive media into SAC’s choices, enhancing viewers experiences with cutting-edge expertise.
“Sharjah’s position as a strategic gateway for international creative industries has become increasingly evident in the past decade. With its strong infrastructure, cultural commitment, and growing influence in the MENA region, our emirate offers Japanese media and creative companies an ideal gateway for entering or expanding in the Arab world, and SAC forms a key component of this effort, positioning the city as a vital player in the global creative sector,” Al Mujaini added.
The go to additionally explored instructional partnerships with Wacom, a world chief in digital drawing and animation instruments and a SAC sponsor.
Discussions included coaching programmes, workshops, and expertise growth initiatives to present Sharjah’s younger creatives entry to world-class assets and experience, empowering them to contribute to the worldwide animation business.