Netflix Bets Big on Japan with New Toho Deal and Live Baseball

Netflix is doubling down on its investment in Japan, announcing a massive 2026 content slate backed by an expanded production deal and its first local live sports broadcast. The move follows record-high viewing for its Japanese content and signals an aggressive strategy to solidify its position in the world's third-largest entertainment market.

• Building a bigger stage: The centerpiece of Netflix’s strategy is a new deal with Toho Studios—the iconic studio behind Godzilla—that will double its production footprint in a market where studio space is notoriously scarce. At the event, Kaata Sakamoto, Netflix's VP of content in Japan, said the company expects to create "up to 15 live-action titles each year" with the new capacity.

• The anime engine: The company is also deepening its ties in anime, announcing a new partnership with MAPPA to co-develop projects from the ground up with the studio behind global hits Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man. The live-action slate is headlined by Human Vapor, a sci-fi reboot that pairs the Japanese studio with top Korean creative talent.

• A new ballgame: But the strategy's biggest swing isn't a show—it's a foray into live sports. Netflix will exclusively stream all games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Japan, an acquisition aimed squarely at the country’s massive baseball fanbase and a first for the streamer in the market.

The move signals a multi-pronged strategy to counter a competitive market by locking down production infrastructure, securing high-demand content, and capturing a new audience with live sports. Japanophiles can dive into the full 2026 Japan slate here.