The city of Seki in Gifu Prefecture has filed a lawsuit, demanding the return of 20 million yen in subsidies provided for a local film project.

The city had granted 20 million yen in subsidies to a planning company based in Hyogo Prefecture for the production of a locally-themed film.

However, the conditions for the subsidy—including a requirement to screen the film in multiple theaters for at least four weeks by the end of March this year—were not met. The city demanded full repayment of the subsidy, but the amount was not returned.

On August 29, the city filed a lawsuit seeking payment of the 20 million yen subsidy and related costs.

The planning company’s legal representative stated, “We had been negotiating to repay the full amount in installments. We were seeking to resolve the matter through discussion, so it is unfortunate that it has come to a lawsuit.”

Seki

Seki is a city in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, historically renowned as a major center for the production of high-quality swords since the 13th century. Today, it is famous for its cutlery and blade-manufacturing industry, which evolved from its samurai sword-making heritage. The city celebrates this history at its Seki Sword Tradition Museum.

Gifu Prefecture

Gifu Prefecture is a mountainous region in central Japan known for its rich history and traditional crafts. It was the site of significant battles during the Sengoku period and served as a base for the powerful warlord Oda Nobunaga in the 16th century. Today, the prefecture is famous for its historic villages like Shirakawa-gō, traditional cormorant fishing on the Nagara River, and its production of high-quality Mino washi paper and cutlery.

Hyogo Prefecture

Hyogo Prefecture is a historically significant region in western Japan, home to the iconic Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site originally built in the 14th century. Its major city, Kobe, grew into a prominent international port after it opened to foreign trade in the late 19th century.