Daily Capital Launches in Tokyo to Back Taiwan-Japan Screen Projects

A new investment fund dedicated to cross-strait film and television co-productions opened on the first day of the Tokyo International Film Festival market. Daily Capital launched during the Taiwan Originals: Project Showcase event at TIFFCOM. The initiative aims to bridge the creative industries of Taiwan and Japan through joint development and financing.

Founder Chang Chen-yu stated that the fund has already secured 70% of its target capital. The goal is to raise NT$100 million, which is approximately $3.1 million. Chang said the fund expects to begin operations by the end of this year. The name Daily Capital references the concept that meaningful progress comes from consistent daily effort.

In Japan, the fund has identified two key co-development partners. K2 Pictures, founded by producer Kii Muneyuki, works with directors including Iwai Shunji, Miike Takashi, Nishikawa Miwa, and Kore-eda Hirokazu. Remow, the second partner, is backed by major Japanese media companies such as Shueisha, Toei, and Fuji Media Holdings. These partnerships provide access to established intellectual property and distribution channels.

Chang explained that investment amounts will depend on the scale of each project. The fund plans to enter during the development or pre-production phases to assist with script discussions and team assembly. Chang noted that the primary capital recovery period is targeted to stay within three years. The strategy combines Japanese production expertise with Taiwan’s flexible financing and co-production experience.

The first project announced for investment is Love Ends in Bloom. This 10-episode series is a historical romance and business drama set in 1930s Chiayi and Alishan. The story follows a Japanese geisha who arranges a cross-border marriage to save her mother and enters a forbidden relationship with a Taiwanese timber magnate. The narrative explores the Japanese colonial period through the perspective of a Japanese woman.

The project originated from Chang’s 2023 return to his hometown of Chiayi. Observing railway station renovations prompted him to examine the city’s forestry and railway history. Juliana Hsu, known for the period drama Gold Leaf, wrote the script. Sun Jie-heng, who directed the wartime drama Three Tears in Borneo, will direct the series. Filming is scheduled to start in February 2027, with a release targeted for mid-2028.

Chang said the fund will measure success by whether its projects reach Japanese broadcasters, regional platforms, and global streamers while meeting projected returns. He added that these results could help the company raise a larger second fund focused on co-productions between Taiwan, Japan, and other Asian markets.