Sony’s Columbia Pictures has secured the rights to remake “366 Days,” the Japanese romantic drama that has taken the box office by storm, for English-speaking audiences.

Co-produced and co-distributed by Shochiku and Sony Pictures Japan, the film has been a major hit locally since its Jan. 10 release. Propelled by strong word-of-mouth, “366 Days” climbed to No. 1 in total admissions by its fourth weekend and has since become the highest-grossing local film produced by a Hollywood studio in Japan based on an original screenplay. The film has grossed more than $11 million.

Directed by Takehiko Shinjo with a screenplay by Kaho Fukuda, “366 Days” draws inspiration from the popular Japanese band Hy’s beloved song of the same name. Columbia’s Peter Kang is overseeing the remake on behalf of the studio.

The film follows Minato Makiya, played by Eiji Akaso (“Pending Train”), a high school senior in Okinawa who falls...