The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Children’s Drama Co-Production 21st and 22nd Series Meeting took place in Tokyo from 22 to 24 April 2026, bringing together 18 producers from Hong Kong – China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Turkmenistan, Brunei, Thailand, South Korea and Japan. The meeting served as a collaborative platform to develop high quality children’s drama content with a shared regional perspective.

Centred on the theme “Mental Growth,” the co-production encouraged diverse interpretations rooted in children’s everyday experiences. While the theme provided a common foundation, producers were given the creative freedom to explore a wide range of storytelling styles, from human interest narratives to comedy, as long as each story remained unique and conveyed a universal message. All productions were developed for children aged 7 to 9.

Participants were guided by Executive Producer Mr Kazuhiro Motoki of NHK. Under his mentorship, eight completed dramas from the 21st series were screened during the forum, marking the conclusion of the production cycle. The meeting also marked the start of the 22nd series, with new participants presenting story concepts that will be further developed over the coming year, with final productions to be presented at the next annual meeting.

Two workshops, organised by NHK for both on site and online participants, added further depth to the programme. The first, “Epicentre of Global Content Innovation,” was delivered by Ms Hanizah Hamzah, Special Consultant to the ABU Programming Department. She highlighted global trends in content creation, particularly the growing demand for regional stories with international appeal, while also addressing emerging challenges such as rapid technological change, audience fragmentation and evolving regulatory pressures.

The second workshop, led by Mr Tomidokoro Satoshi of NHK’s Sound Design Division, focused on the role of sound in storytelling. Using examples from the award winning drama The Time Exchange, he demonstrated how sound design, including music, ambient effects and layering techniques, enhances emotional impact and audience engagement.

A guided tour followed, offering participants behind the scenes access to one of Japan’s popular Taiga dramas, Toyotomi Brothers!. This was complemented by a visit to a Foley studio, where participants explored the techniques and materials used to create sound effects.

During the meeting, the Producer’s Choice Award was presented to Ms Sumire Terai of NHK Japan for her production, The Time Exchange. The work was selected by fellow producers for its creativity, storytelling strength and emotional resonance, reflecting the collaborative spirit of the initiative.

In her remarks, Ms Terai expressed her appreciation for the recognition, describing it as a meaningful encouragement from fellow producers across the region who share the same passion for storytelling. She noted that the opportunity to exchange ideas and engage in discussions had provided valuable new perspectives, further strengthening her work as a director.

She also extended her gratitude to Executive Producer Mr Kazuhiro Motoki for his guidance, as well as to the ABU organisers for creating a platform that enables collaboration and creative growth across borders.

The recognition underscores the strength of the ABU Children’s Drama Co-Production initiative, which continues to nurture talent, foster regional collaboration and elevate the standard of storytelling for young audiences across Asia and beyond.