Sony to Open a Base in Japan to Engage in Media Production with Creators
Sony will open , a base for advancing and engaging in media production together with creators, in February 2026. The space is located inside the Sony Group headquarters in Minato-ku, Tokyo. Following the United States and the United Kingdom, this will be the third global location. The facility enables comprehensive verification of the entire media production workflow—from experiencing the latest filmmaking equipment to virtual production shoots, XR-based spatial content creation, post-production, and test screenings. By collaborating with existing centers in the U.S. and the U.K., the new location will facilitate the mutual exchange of global production techniques, expertise, and success cases.
Sony has cultivated a wealth of technologies and expertise in fields such as cinema, virtual production, and XR, and is strengthening its solutions for spatial content creation. By advancing the fusion of physical and virtual worlds and expanding creators’ expressive possibilities, the company aims to create new entertainment experiences together with creators.
Sony will equip DMPC Japan with the latest cinema cameras, lighting equipment, production studios, a virtual production studio, XR solutions, and more, providing a practical environment where Sony and creators can work together on new creative techniques, solve production challenges, and share feedback to inform future product development. It will also serve as a venue where professionals—including cinematographers, camera operators, and post-production teams from around the world—can gather, interact, learn, and collaborate through dialogue and joint work.
The facility will initially serve professional creators and will later expand to function as a base for fostering the next generation of creators, especially those involved in spatial content creation, who will lead the future of media production. By working with these creators, DMPC Japan will contribute to the advancement of the media production industry.
Production Studios
The studios are fully equipped to meet diverse filming needs, featuring the CineAlta flagship camera VENICE 2, the Cinema Line camera lineup, and various lighting equipment. They also include a production design set supervised by the Japan Film and Television Art Directors Association, enabling practical test shoots.
Post-Production Facilities
The center features the BVM-HX3110 reference monitor to support precise color evaluation and professional color grading environments. It also includes a BRAVIA 9 for use as a client display for checking image quality as it would appear on a large-screen TV. While production studios and post-production studios are typically located separately, DMPC Japan houses both within the same facility, enabling efficient end‑to‑end testing from shooting to finishing.
Virtual Production Facilities
An In‑Camera VFX studio using Crystal LED wall, VERONA, is installed. Combining the OCELLUS camera‑tracking system, the CineAlta VENICE 2, and the Virtual Production Tool Set, a software suite for virtual production, the facility supports verification of virtual production workflows made possible by Sony's comprehensive ecosystem. It also accommodates multi-camera live switching for broadcasting using equipment such as the HDC‑F5500 system camera and the live production switcher MLS‑X1.
XR Solutions
As demand grows for 3DCG (3D Computer Graphics) production technologies and environments alongside the expanding use of XR in virtual production, the facility incorporates the XYN™ solution suite to support spatial content creation. Visitors can also explore new possibilities in spatial content creation through the XYN Spatial capture solution (beta), which enables 3DCG production, film production leveraging motion capture technology via XYN Motion Studio and mocopi Professional mode, and glasses‑free 3D viewing with Spatial reality displays.
Example of Utilization: Masterclass Program
Ahead of its official opening in February 2026, a masterclass conducted as part of the "Cinematic Quantum" program organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Japan Arts Council, and the Japan Society of Cinematographers (JSC) was held at the facility in January.*1 In this seminar aimed at developing the talent of international cinematographers, Director of Photography Oren Soffer served as an instructor and delivered highly practical, advanced training targeted at professionals.
DMPC Japan will continue to serve as a base for practical technology demonstrations and opportunities for creators to learn and network with the media production community.
(Instructor: Oren Soffer,
Director of Photography)
Comments
Junya Tamura
Arts and Culture Research Officer, Office of the Councilor for Cultural Affairs (Arts and Culture), Agency for Cultural Affairs
Under the Japan Creator Support Fund, we launched a program this fiscal year to support the development of training initiatives that include practical experience in international settings, through which students and working professionals aiming for international success can acquire the skills they need. *1
A masterclass based on this program was held at DMPC Japan, which will also be utilized as a venue for fostering talent who will lead the future of film production.
We hope that this facility will connect creators in Japan and abroad and serve as a foundation for nurturing talent capable of thriving on the international stage.
Makoto Watanabe
Japan Society of Cinematographers (JSC)
"Cinematic Quantum" is an initiative under the Japan Creator Support Fund, for which the Japan Society of Cinematographers (JSC) serves as the secretariat, working together with the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Japan Arts Council to cultivate the skills needed by students and professionals aiming to succeed internationally as creators. The masterclass, held as part of this initiative, brought in a globally active cinematographer as a guest lecturer. With XR and virtual production environments available at DMPC Japan, we look forward to expanding co‑creation and learning opportunities with creators in new areas of visual expression.
Oren Soffer
Director of Photography
The new DMPC opening in Japan is an exciting opportunity to provide an educational community base for cinematographers and filmmakers in the Japanese film industry. The DMPC in Hollywood has served as such a base for the LA filmmaking community for many years, and has hosted wonderful events bringing together the filmmaking community and offering a multitude of educational opportunities and exposure to new cinema technologies. I am very excited for the Japanese film community to now have access to such a facility to foster collaboration and educational opportunities for the current and next generation of filmmakers.
Verification of Film-Production Workflows and Equipment
As a recent example, Sony and cinematographer Barry Baz Idoine jointly verified workflows and equipment using the latest virtual production technologies for the short film "Cut to the Chase" at the DMPC in Hollywood.
- Through a subsidy provided by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the "Japan Creator Support Fund," established under the Japan Arts Council, launched a new program this fiscal year to support the development of training initiatives, including practical, international, and hands-on opportunities, for students and professionals seeking to build the skills required to work on the global stage. "Cinematic Quantum," one of the initiatives under this fund, is a multi-year program operated with the Japan Society of Cinematographers (JSC) serving as the secretariat, in collaboration with the Agency for Cultural Affairs. The masterclass is part of this initiative.
- "Sony", "SONY" logo and any other product names, service names or logo marks used in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Group Corporation or its affiliates. Other product names, service names, company names or logo marks are trademarked and copyrighted properties of their respective owners and/or licensors.