Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso stressed the importance of cultural exports in Japan’s economic recovery in his press conference Thursday evening, according to the Japan Times, estimating that the export business in those categories could amount to $200 to $300 billion.  “Japan has become the focus of attention from the world for its anime, games, and fashion, which have been dubbed ‘Japan cool,’” he said. 

Aso has long been known as an avid anime and manga fan, even complaining that his job as Prime Minister doesn’t give him enough time for manga reading (see “Japanese Prime Minister Needs More Manga Time”).