Tokyo's Nerima Ward, known as the "cradle of Japanese animation," has entered into an anime-industry exchange agreement with the southeastern French city of Annecy, located near Geneva.

Nerima Ward alone contains 94 anime production companies, including Toei Animation Co. (Hakujaden, Japan's first full-length color anime film) and Mushi Production (Astro Boy). The Nerima Animation Association based in the ward consists of 53 member companies, and aims to revitalize the industry with this agreement.

Originating as an offshoot of the Cannes Film Festival's anime cateogry, Annecy holds a yearly international animation film festival in conjunction with a major industry trade show each June. These events draw participants from 60 countries.

As part of the agreement, the parties will cooperate to host anime-related events and film festivals in Nerima and Annecy. Nerima also plans to invite creators from the Annecy area to studios in the ward.