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Koei Tecmo's Unannounced Game "FUJI" Revealed Through Government Filing

Key Highlights:

  • Project FUJI has been revealed through an official METI document.

  • The game is described as a brand-new original IP from Koei Tecmo.

  • It will leverage the studio's expertise in Oriental-style aesthetics and action games.

  • Koei Tecmo aims to make FUJI a worldwide hit with long-term IP expansion.

  • The project has been selected for Japan's IP360 initiative, which supports the creation of new Japanese entertainment IPs.


Koei Tecmo logo centered over three character art panels: anime girl left, ninja middle, black-haired woman right, all dramatic poses
Image via Koei Tecmo

Koei Tecmo has an unannounced game in the works, and it has been revealed not through a trailer or press release but through an official government document in Japan.


The project, titled FUJI (working title), appeared in a list of games approved under Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) IP360 initiative. According to a report by Automaton, the listing confirms that Koei Tecmo Games has been selected to receive government support for the development of this entirely new title.


What Is the IP360 Initiative?

For those unfamiliar, IP360 is a government program that was launched in March 2026 with the goal of supporting the creation of original intellectual property in Japan's biggest cultural export sectors. That includes video games, manga, and anime.


The name itself is a shorthand for "Toward 20 Trillion Yen," which reflects METI's rather ambitious revenue target. The Japanese government is aiming to raise annual overseas earnings from Japanese content to 20 trillion yen, which works out to roughly $125.5 billion USD.


The program does not just hand out cash, though. It covers multiple stages of a project's lifecycle, from pre-production all the way through to localization and overseas promotion. What also makes it stand out is that it is open to individuals and unincorporated teams, not just registered studios.


So What Is FUJI Actually About?

That is the big question, and unfortunately the details are still pretty thin. The official listing describes the project as follows:

"Leveraging Koei Tecmo Games' expertise in oriental aesthetics and action games, the company develops entirely new IP game titles, aiming for worldwide hits and a broad IP expansion based on games."

The key phrases here are "oriental aesthetics" and "action games." For longtime fans of the studio, those words naturally bring to mind franchises like Dynasty Warriors, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, and Rise of the Ronin. However, since FUJI is confirmed to be a completely original IP, the game could take a direction that is unlike anything the studio has done before.


Nothing else has been announced about the game's platforms, setting, story, or release window at this point.


Dynasty Warriors origin poster.
Image: Dynasty Warriors Origins (via Koei Tecmo)

Who Else Is in the IP360 Program?

Koei Tecmo is far from alone on this list. Several other major Japanese developers have also been approved under METI's IP360 initiative, and a few of them have disclosed their projects with varying levels of detail. Here is a breakdown of who made the cut and what they have shared:


  • Arc System Works: Developing a new fighting game IP that uses the studio's signature 3D animation style, Cel-look. The goal is to expand from its core competitive audience into the casual market while launching simultaneously across all major platforms with full multilingual localization.

  • Applibot Inc.: Working on a new game called Project Needle (working title). It is described as "a highly innovative action game for PC and home consoles" with a unique worldview rooted in Japanese history, targeting global markets through multilingual localization and overseas event participation.

  • Konami Digital Entertainment: Has a new console game project in development, though specifics are sparse. As per the listing, the project focuses on "the development of new console game titles with an eye toward expansion not only in Japan but also in the global market."

  • Square Enix: Listed under new game development, though the entry is notably brief. The description only mentions adding language support for overseas markets and improving quality through reviews.

  • Sega Corporation: Perhaps the most specific entry of the bunch. Sega has named its project outright as VIRTUA FIGHTER CROSSROADS. The listing states that the title "aims to create long-term IP value in the global market through a high-quality gaming experience utilizing the latest technology and a design that enables continuous operation."

  • DeNA: Focused on mobile game development and global expansion, specifically targeting the North American market using "soft launch" methodology.


Since these projects are still in development, it may be some time before players receive an official reveal. Even so, appearing in METI's IP360 program confirms that the game is actively being developed and is considered important enough to receive government backing.

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