Los Angeles-based Entertainment Licensing Associates has formed a joint venture with Tokyo-based Kaliya to help Japanese content owners expand their reach outside of Asia.

Together the two companies intend to acquire, develop and license Japanese intellectual property, including films, anime, manga, video games and toys, for introduction in North America and worldwide.

“Over the past 15-plus years I have enjoyed a great deal of success in spearheading efforts in exporting Japanese intellectual property rights to North America in film, animation and licensing through my network of talented and loyal associates in Japan. Now, especially with expansion of digital platforms, the time has come to formalize my business in Japan,” says Dan Kletzky, founder and president, ELA.

Kletzky and the head of Kaliya, Kei Hiroki, have worked together for more than 10 years, first at Konami Digital Entertainment and then at Fields Corp’s film subsidiary Lucent Pictures.

“I know only too well the importance of having a Japanese partner on the ground in Japan for what we want to do and accomplish,” says Kletzky. “There are others that have and continue to try other approaches to what we are doing; however, what ELA will now have that separates us from others is the hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves knowledge and ability in Japan to work with Japanese content owners and creators to serve their mutual interests here and in Japan. With their trust we will be able to utilize our relationships in the U.S. and Japan to execute and produce projects that will make fans as well as creators and content owners proud to see their creative heritage brought to North America in all areas of entertainment.”