The "Local Content Bank" aggregates and organizes video content from local TV stations nationwide.

Inter BEE 2025, Japan's largest comprehensive event for the media and entertainment industry, was held at Makuhari Messe from Wednesday, November 19 to Friday, November 21, 2025.The venue hosted the "Inter BEE FORUM Special Lecture," where industry experts exchanged views. This article covers the conference held on Wednesday, the 19th: "Strategies for Maximizing Regional Value Through Local Content: The Potential for TV-Driven Regional Innovation."

The session featured members involved with the "Local Content Bank (LCB)," which aggregates video content from local stations across Japan and visualizes and systematizes its appeal. Participants included: Executive Director Ryuji Yasuda, Hokkaido Television Broadcasting President's Office Yuki Akutsu, Mainichi Broadcasting System Management Strategy Bureau Hiroshi Saito, TV Nishinippon Business Planning Bureau Atsushi Onoue, and TV Miyazaki Content Business Bureau Shinichi Oyama. Moderated by Hisaya Suga, Growth Officer at dentsu Japan, they discussed the potential of local content revealed through proof-of-concept experiments.

"Collect and Curate" Local Content

"LCB" is a local content platform that aggregates local content produced by commercial TV stations across Japan. It generates "cross-station content bundles (playlists)" based on specific keywords and provides them to distribution platforms. With A-PAB cooperation, LCB has been undergoing proof-of-concept testing since fiscal year 2023, distributing videos that thematically gather information content from local stations nationwide on TVer.

Mr. Saito of Mainichi Broadcasting explains that the background to the "LCB" initiative lies in the changing role of commercial local broadcasters. Traditionally, local stations have secured advertising revenue by adopting an "inward-looking" regional approach: adding local information to metropolitan news and broadcasting it to viewers within their coverage area. However, in recent years, the shrinking TV advertising market, coupled with an aging population and declining demographics, is transforming the nature of local stations.To revitalize these areas by increasing foreign tourists and the number of people with diverse, ongoing connections to the region, it is essential to deeply understand each area's unique characteristics and promote regional businesses that leverage their appeal.

Given this situation, Mr. Saito argues, "Local stations need an 'outward-facing' ability to deliver information beyond their region." He stated, "The informational programs produced by local stations are content that prompts viewers to take action, like 'Let's try this shop.' Making such regional information content more accessible digitally and distributing it online domestically and internationally could create new value."

This led to the launch of the "LCB" initiative. In a nutshell, it's about "accumulating and organizing content." It extracts regional information—such as food, shops, and tourist spots—from local station programs to "accumulate" it. Then, using AI, it assigns tags, keywords, and summaries to "organize" it. Based on these tags, it creates playlists—essentially "content bundles"—which are then provided to distribution platforms like TVer.Future features under consideration include AI-powered full-text transcription of content and generation of subtitle data (implemented at the time of this issue's publication).

A key feature of "LCB" is its two-system architecture: the "Meta Support System" for uploading videos and adding metadata, and the "Catalog Site" for creating, editing, and outputting playlists. On stage, Mr. Shinichi Oyama from TV Miyazaki demonstrated both systems.

The Potential for Actionable Insights Revealed Through Proof-of-Concept Testing

Yuki Akutsu from Hokkaido Television Broadcasting explained the proof-of-concept experiment conducted on TVer.In fiscal year 2025, 63 stations nationwide participated, releasing approximately 150 videos under the title "Special Selection! 'Local Spotlights'". Among these, the region-specific "National Ramen Guide" saw growing PVs, with one video reaching 4,320 views in about three months – a commendable view count for local station information content. Trends also emerged, such as increased PVs during the Obon period and a significant proportion of viewers from outside the region.

Mr. Akutsu stated that these results provided significant encouragement. "Local information content, unlike premium content like dramas, was previously considered finished after a single broadcast. However, by organizing it by region and theme, it becomes valuable both for the region itself and for people visiting or interested in the area. If properly translated, it could also meet the needs of inbound tourists and foreign residents. A chance encounter with such content might even inspire someone to visit the region.Furthermore, we can expect applications for short-form social media content and digital signage."

What one station can't do, we can achieve with everyone's strength

In the latter half of the session, discussions focused on the future of "LCB" based on the results of the proof-of-concept experiment.Mr. Atsushi Onogami of TV Nishinippon, involved in new business development and startup support, analyzed that "LCB is a startup born from the aspirations of local stations nationwide." He proposed, "While continuing traditional TV broadcasting, expanding the distribution area requires operational efficiency (DX) and investment in new infrastructure. By pooling the strength of each station to achieve what one station alone cannot, we can connect this to solving the challenges faced by local stations."

Meanwhile, Suga pointed out two key points for the social implementation of "LCB." One is the cost burden for each station. In response, Akutsu clearly stated, "We aim to keep it under 50,000 yen per month." Oyama emphasized the high cost-effectiveness, adding, "Video content uploaded to the 'Meta Support System' can also be distributed on the station's own website or YouTube channel. It offers value not only for external distribution but also for enriching the station's own site."

The other key point is developing business partners. While the proof-of-concept experiment involved distribution via TVer, Mr. Onoue mentioned inquiries from sources beyond domestic streaming services, including travel agencies and transportation companies.

Furthermore, Mr. Akutsu sees potential for overseas expansion. His presentation at the international video industry conference "Northeast Asia Video Summit 2025 - Japan and Korea" held in October reportedly garnered significant interest. "Overseas participants said, 'We have many opportunities to watch Japanese movies, anime, and dramas, but regional information content hardly circulates internationally. You say it's not premium content, but aggregating information creates premium value.We should be confident." Business discussions are already underway. We are not a platform provider but a content bank. We aim to expand profits by increasing the number of providers. Furthermore, we hope to leverage the 'LCB' system to strengthen distribution during disasters and other emergencies."

During sales and negotiations, requests also came from companies. Mr. Oyama said, "Companies distributing content overseas have asked for videos tailored to each country's tone and manner. There were also requests for materials without subtitles or for specific parts of the footage. We are considering ways to turn these various opinions into business opportunities."

Mr. Ryuji Yasuda of A-PAB, which provided the proof-of-concept opportunity, expressed his expectations: "In fiscal year 2024, 55 stations participated, and in fiscal year 2025, 63 stations—meaning over half of all local stations nationwide joined, transcending network affiliations. With this level of participation, 'LCB' has the potential to become a public platform. We want to create new systems while liaising with each company."

At the session's conclusion, speakers shared messages regarding LCB's societal implementation. Mr. Onoue stated, "Local stations exist not only in Japan but worldwide. I hope LCB can provide business insights for local stations globally." Mr. Oyama added, "Local stations' most critical mission is to earn society's trust and contribute to their communities. By disseminating regional information, viewers are inspired to visit locations and make purchases, driving local economic growth.I hope 'LCB' can become a hub enabling local stations to become regional producers."

Using picture books as an example, Mr. Saito stated, "There are limits to what a single local station can achieve alone. However, just as the little fish in 'Swimmy' banded together to chase away the big fish, local stations facing similar challenges can greatly expand their possibilities by uniting. I hope 'LCB' can become a hub connecting local stations with the world and help broaden their reach."

Mr. Akutsu also emphasized the importance of stations working together. "Simply put, SDGs mean 'cooperate together, be happy together.' I want LCB to become one of the strengths of local stations and a sustainable activity, collaborating not only with broadcasters but also with everyone else," he stated enthusiastically.

Finally, facilitator Hisaya Suga of dentsu Japan emphasized that greater corporate collaboration would enhance LCB's value. He expressed his aspiration to deepen understanding of LCB through future seminars and similar opportunities, bringing the special lecture to a close.

Until now, much of the content from information programs produced and reported by local stations rarely saw the light of day after its initial broadcast. Furthermore, the audience for that single broadcast was limited. However, the reuse of information content through "LCB" is expected to create new value. It appears poised to become a key solution to challenges faced by local TV stations, such as declining viewership and resource shortages.

Event Overview
Name: Inter BEE 2025
Organizer: Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA)
Dates: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - Friday, November 21, 2025
Venue: Makuhari Messe