Japan plans a manga-recovery

Reuters reports on the details of Japan's largest-ever economic stimulus plan, revealed by Prime Minister Taro Aso. He intends to make cultural products 18 percent of Japan's exports, up from around 2 percent now.

Aso waved glossy magazines from China and Taiwan featuring Japanese pop stars on their covers.

"Japanese content, such as anime and video games, and fashion draw attention from consumers around the world," he said.

"Unfortunately, this 'soft power' is not being linked to business overseas ... By linking the popularity of Japan's 'soft power' to business, I want to create a 20-30 trillion yen ($200-300 billion) market by 2020 and create 500,000 new jobs."

The proposal seems a bit pie-in-the-sky -- Japan's exports have more than halved this year. But the country's certainly on a mission to expand its cultural importance (including in all things cute). Nota bene, Gwen Stefani. 

Photo: Flickr user dogonthesidewalk