The Difficulties of Filming Kamen Rider in Japan Mentioned by Zi-O Producer Shirakura

Shinichiro Shirakura, who has produced various Kamen Rider shows and is the main producer of Kamen Rider Zi-O, mentioned the difficulties of filming in Japan during the event screening for Kamen Rider Faiz: Paradise Lost.

During a special screening event for Kamen Rider Faiz: Paradise Lost movie, Shinichiro Shirakura (Kamen Rider Agito, Ryuki, Faiz, others) and series star Kento Handa appeared, answering questions from fans. Shirakura recalled there were multiple times he was told not to film at specific locations, although he did not specify at what point this happened. He later admitted “Kamen Rider may be unable to film in Japan” in the future if these circumstances worsen.

Over the years, many restrictions have been placed on studios looking to film in Japan. Though Tokyo Location Box was created in 2001 to help studios get the necessary permits and understand local municaplity laws, less than half of the permit requests received are approved on average. This has caused studios domestically and internationally to seek filming in suburban locations throughout Japan. Kamen Rider is no exception to this as many notable locations are filmed in suburban areas outside of Tokyo.

As Japan is preparing for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, efforts to make the process streamlined have been in development, but it is still a hurdle studios worry about.

Source: Oricon via AnimeNewsNetwork, Japan Today, Hollywood Reporter

Co-authored by Jorge Salas