Writers Guild of Japan ("WGJ") was incorporated on March 1, 1966 as a cooperative society for the purpose of protecting the social life of writers who are engaging in writing scenarios for broadcasting, films, and stages, etc. and promoting their economic positions. The activities of WGJ have been developed with the aim to improve writing conditions of scenario writers and conditions for using their copyright and repletion of their welfare and health plan. Thereafter, from 1970, WGJ commenced the educational programs for the purpose of education of new writers for the next generation, and until now, the programs have turned out a great many scenario writers. On April 1, 1974, WGJ was validated by Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan as the first copyright intermediary organization for the administration of copyright for scenarios. On October 1, 2001, LAW ON INTERMEDIARY BUSINESS CONCERNING COPYRIGHTS was revised to LAW ON MANAGEMENT BUSINESS OF COPYRIGHT AND NEIGHBORING RIGHTS, and WGJ became the designated management business operator administrating the copyrights of works of language, scenario, etc. WGJ has administered the rights of scenario writers for any secondary uses of their scenarios such as retransmission, videograms and retransmission by cable. Due to the internationalization of circulation of audiovisual works, WGJ joined the International Writers Guild ("IWG") in 1965 and Confederation Internaationale des Societes d'Auteures et Compositeurs ("CISAC") in 1987 for the purpose of promoting the exchange with authors associations in overseas and since then has been engaging the activities for protection of scenario writer's rights based on the international standards. WGJ is the largest association in Japan and a majority of scenario writers in Japan joined WGJ as its members.

Writers Guild of Japan Roppongi Denki Bldg. 3F, 6-1-20, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo TEL: +81-3-3401-2304 FAX: +81-3-3401-7255 MAIL office@writersguild.or.jp