Leading Japanese pay-tv broadcasting company Wowow is planting a flag in the production services business, hoping to both encourage and profit from a surge of industry interest in Japan-set live-action content. The company revealed Wednesday the launch of Wowow Bridge, a new subsidiary that will provide a full suite of services to international film and television projects targeting shoots in Japan.

Wowow said the decision to launch a production services arm was spawned from its experience as a co-producer of Max’s acclaimed crime series Tokyo Vice. The show’s executive producer, Kayo Washio, who serves as Wowow’s head of U.S. operations and chief producer for international co-productions, acquisitions and distribution, was instrumental in bringing the show to Japan and supplying an array of on-the-ground relationships and services. Washio will expand her role and oversee the team at Wowow Bridge, while also relocating to Los Angeles to work more closely with the U.