Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the state-led development of cultural and creative industries (CCIs) policy in Malaysia and its embeddedness in the country’s existing economic and innovation policy. It looks at the substance and process of Thai creative industries (CIs) policy, and points out that the development of CIs policy in Japan was triggered by the overseas popularity of Japanese cultural products and fuelled by policy makers’ belief in CIs’ economic potential. The book discusses the ‘artpreneurial’ ecosystem in Singapore by looking into education, social values and norms, policy environments, and market conditions. It provides a detailed account of the development of CCIs cluster policy in Taiwan, and argues that CCIs’ growth requires mature market conditions such as increased disposable income and consumers’ ability to appreciate creative products. The book suggests that the majority of CCIs’ funding in China comes from local governments.