Quoted from the Ghibli diary entry translated says this:

Studio Ghibli President (and producer) Toshio Suzuki appeared on the NTV program Getsuyoru! and talked about Ponyo: Suzuki: When a film becomes black [covers its costs, profitable] I convey the message to Takahata-san and Miyazaki-san. They are pleased. However, Miya-san said suddenly the other day in a meeting, “Suzuki-san, I do not let you collect the production costs [of Ponyo].” Q: What does it mean? Suzuki: He said, “A film that collects its production costs is second-class. My previous films are included in this category. So, I do not make this film in the black.” Since I was angry, I said to him, “I will surely collect it!” (laugh)

This implies that all films by Miyazaki were designed not to make money? I presume he means collect production costs quickly, or as a goal..it should not be designed to make money, that way it will ensure quality?

Not sure if that’s acceptable, but I admire the Man for a rare creative audacity that is slowly being lost in this commercial world.