The film was produced by Pacific Link Communications Japan, the Fuji Television Network and David Hannay Productions, and shot in southern Tasmania in the winter of 1989.

It is a heartfelt family drama, a portrayal of the emotional connection between a child-like father and an adult-esque son that combines the majestic nature of Tasmania with the adorable animals, such as wombats and wallabies.

As an immigrant to Tasmania, he has been won over by the island's immense natural beauty, and he is conscience-bound to oppose his former employer's ecologically unsound practices, becoming involved in environmental conservation movements.

When Shoichi comes to Tasmania for a visit, Kawano must balance the challenge of renewing their relationship, the demands of his conservation work and his obsession with rediscovering the extinct Tasmanian tiger.

Since this problem arose in late 1989, the film was set in the Southern Hemisphere, where sunny skies and a warm climate could be shot for this proposed summer blockbuster.

Fuji Television hastily assembled a screenplay and hired noted filmmaker Yasuo Furuhata to produce the film with quick turnaround time.

A large number of commercials and TV programs were aired, making use of every imaginable creative element, including the beautiful nature of Tasmania, the cuteness of the animals, and puns.

[7] Post-release, plush wombats sold out in Japan, and an estimated doubling of Japanese tourists to Tasmania was expected the following year.

[1] The Tasmanian government said the film brought "unprecedented publicity" to the state, with an increase from 30% to 80% of the Japanese population knowing of Tasmania.

[1] Tasmania Story was the recipient of "Silver Excellence" at the eighth Golden Gross Awards, which are given out by the National Federation of Theater and Public Health Trade Associations to highlight notable box office performance.