Japanese actor Keita Machida has inked a contract with a major entertainment agency in South Korea, broadening his horizon and marking his official foray into the South Korean entertainment scene.

In Japan, a local artist signing with a foreign agency is perceived as an important step in their career. It suggests success and recognition beyond the domestic market. This can increase their popularity at home as well as abroad. Moreover, it also reflects on the "Cool Japan" initiative that aims to promote the country's pop culture worldwide.

In the US or EU, while individual artist contracts are also celebrated, the focus tends to be more on the body of work and creative collaborations an artist is involved in, not necessarily on international expansion or overseas contracts.