A group of 16 organizers for writers, artists, and musicians in Japan submitted a petition calling for legislation to extend the period of copyright protection from the current 50 years to 70 years after the death of right-holders, according to Japanese media.

The Agency of Cultural Affairs which received the calling, said to the media that it would decide on whether to study an extension after looking into public opinions.

Masahiro Mita, Vice Chairman of the Japan Writer's Association, said to Japanese media that artists in Japan must expect their copyrights to be protected for 70 years in the same way as those in Europe and United States.

International law allows each country protect intellectual property based on its own laws. Works that are supposed to be protected for 70 years in their countries of origin can be copied and distributed in Japan after 50 years in current Japanese Law.

Leiji Matsumoto, a standing director of Japan Cartoonists Association said, Japanese cartoons are enjoyed and protected in all countries around the world. I cannot stand on this unbalanced reality. Matsumoto is the creator of worldly-renown works including Space Battleship Yamato and Galaxy Express 999.

Japan