Japanese Anime Creators Organize First Union

As of October 13, over 500 anime directors, animators, artists, and other workers have officially established the first ever Japanese union for animators, the Japan Animator's Creation Association, also known as JAniCA. There were various prominent creators in attendance at the recent press conference held by the organization. Toyoo Ashida (director of Vampire Hunter D, the first movie and second TV series of Fist of the North Star) is the president of the union, and Satoshi Kon (director of Paranoia Agent and Millenium Actress), animation directors Moriyasu Taniguchi (Shaman King) and Akihiro Kanayama (Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam), Yasuki Hamano (a professor at Tokyo University), and editor Nobuyuki Takahashi (Ringu, Juon: The Grudge) all spoke to the press during the conference.

According to JAniCA, a storyboard works for an average of 3,360,000 yen (US$28,800) a year, without vacation, and a key animator works for 2,160,000 yen (US$18,400) a year, with no vacation. As most of you have figured out, this organization plans to work for the improvement of the working conditions for the men and women who create all that wonderful anime you all love to watch.
[via Anime News Network]