Netflix Japan expands unscripted as local strategy enters ‘new phase’

Lighthouse

Netflix has unveiled a raft of unscripted commissions for its service in Japan as it looks to a “new phase” on investment in content from the country.

Netflix’s content manager in Japan, Dai Ota, confirmed details of five shows and said his team is currently working on more than 15 unscripted titles in total.

Programming includes reality series Is She the Wolf?, which will debut 3 September and sees 10 men and women looking for love as they work on a joint project. However, an unknown number of ‘lying wolves’ are among the contestants and are tasked with not falling in or being found out. Japan’s TV Man Union produces.

Other series include Lighthouse from D:Complex, which sees musician, actor and author Gen Hoshino and comedian Masayasu Wakabayashi come together once a month for six months to discuss their worries, while a second run of Last One Standing is also in the works. United Productions is onboard the latter.

Elsewhere, Love Like A K-Drama, also from TV Man Union, is a reality show that explores if people really fall in love if they act in a romantic K-drama with kissing scenes, while Love Village has been handed a second season.

Ota said: “From outrageous variety shows to unique dating formats, local unscripted television is beloved in Japan. It’s such a core part of our entertainment culture, that 70 percent of linear programming in the country is reality, variety and dating shows.

“As the local content team for Netflix in Japan, we’re passionate about understanding local audience tastes and developing must-watch titles that appeal to our members here. While global success for our shows is exciting to see, we’re committed first and foremost to telling stories that Japanese viewers will embrace and share.

“We’re excited to move into a new phase of our content strategy, ramping up our investments in unscripted and bringing new concepts to the screen. We want to elevate the unscripted category with great production values and storytelling from Japan’s most innovative creative voices.”