On 27 January 2026, the Japan International Influencer Association and the Spanish Creators Union (Unión Española de Creadores, UEC) entered into an international partnership agreement aimed at developing the influencer industry and supporting creators in both countries.
Based in Madrid, the Spanish Creators Union (UEC) is an organisation dedicated to safeguarding the rights and freedoms of content creators. It addresses the legal and professional challenges faced by creators active on social media and streaming platforms.
Meanwhile, the Japan International Influencer Association (JIIA), a general incorporated association, was established with the aim of creating an environment where influencers active both within Japan and across the globe can maximise their capabilities. It is particularly focused on building a robust network connecting foreign influencers residing in Japan and overseas creators with Japanese companies and local authorities.
The shared objective uniting both organisations is to establish an environment where creators can operate with confidence and be properly recognised as professionals, rather than working with anxiety within a “grey zone”.
Today, personal content shared via social media reaches a global audience, granting influencers and creators unprecedented influence. However, this rapid market expansion has highlighted a global challenge: the rules and professional ethics underpinning their activities have not kept pace.
Moving forward, attention is focused on the leadership of both Japan and Spain as they work to overcome language and cultural barriers through joint seminars and exchange programmes. This collaboration aims to build a future where influencers are more highly valued as “professional occupations”.
