According to figures published by the Nikkei newspaper, Japanese films are on track to grab a majority share of the 2006 box office -- for the first time in over 20 years! In the first 10 months of 2006, domestic films accounted for 47 percent of the total, according to the paper. From January till last month, local films captured half of the top ten box office spots, led by Studio Ghibli's “Tales from Earthsea” and the sea actioner “Umizaru 2 -- Test of Trust”. With a strong lineup of films, including the Yoji Yamada period drama “Love and Honor,” headlined by local megastar Takuya Kimura (“2046”), "Nana 2" and "Oh-oku", Japan appears set to outdo Hollywood, which doesn't have any contenders as the holiday season approaches.
[Source: Variety]
