Sony Music Entertainment Japan

Japanese entertainment conglomerate

For the American music recording company within the Sony corporation, see Sony Music Entertainment (United States).

Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.

Logo used since 1997

Headquarters of SMEJ in Rokubanchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo

Native name

| 株式会社ソニー・ミュージックエンタテインメント

Romanized name

| Kabushiki gaisha Sonī Myūjikku Entateinmento
Formerly| CBS/Sony Records Inc. (1968–1983)
CBS/Sony Group, Inc. (1983–1991)
Company type| Subsidiary
Industry| Music
Entertainment
Genre| Various
Founded| 11 March 1968; 57 years ago (1968-03-11)
Headquarters| 4–5 Rokubanchō,

Chiyoda, Tokyo

Japan

Area served

| Japan

Key people

| Toshiaki Muramatsu (president and CEO)
Products| Music

Number of employees

| 4,700
Parent| CBS Records Group (1968–1988)
Sony Group Corporation (1968–present)
Subsidiaries| See § Subsidiaries
Website|

* sme.co.jp
* sonymusic.co.jp

Sony Music Entertainment Japan headquarters in Rokubanchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo occupied in June 2001 SME Nogizaka Building in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo  Naoki Kitagawa, the CEO of Sony Music Entertainment

Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. (株式会社ソニー・ミュージックエンタテインメント, Kabushiki gaisha Sonī Myūjikku Entateinmento), often abbreviated as SMEJ or simply SME, and also known as Sony Music Japan for short (stylized as SonyMusic), is a Japanese music arm for Sony. Founded in 1968 as CBS/Sony, SMEJ is directly owned by Sony Group Corporation and is operating independently from the United States–based Sony Music Entertainment due to its strength in the Japanese music industry.[a][1] Its subsidiaries include the Japanese animation production enterprise, Aniplex, which was established in September 1995[2] as a joint-venture between Sony Music Entertainment Japan and Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan, but which in 2001 became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. It was prominent in the early to mid 1990s producing and licensing music for animated series such as Roujin Z from acclaimed Japanese comic artist Katsuhiro Otomo and Capcom's Street Fighter animated series.

Until March 2007, Sony Music Japan also had its own North American sublabel, Tofu Records. Releases of Sony Music Japan now appear on Columbia Records and/or Epic Records in North America.

Sony does not have the trademark rights to the Columbia name in Japan, so releases under Columbia Records from another country appears on Sony Records in Japan, but retains the usage of the "walking eye" logo. The Columbia name and trademark is controlled by Nippon Columbia, which was, in fact, the licensee for the American Columbia Records up until 1968, even though relations were officially severed as far back as World War II. Nippon Columbia also does not have direct relations with the British Columbia Graphophone Company (an EMI subsidiary), so the licensee for the British Columbia Graphophone Company was actually Toshiba Musical Industries.

With Sony Corporation of America's buyout of Bertelsmann's stake in Sony BMG, Sony Music Entertainment Japan stepped in to acquire outstanding shares of BMG Japan from Sony BMG, making it a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Japan.[3]

## History

[edit]

### Beginnings as CBS joint venture

[edit]

The idea for a CBS/Sony joint venture came in 1967 from Harvey Schein, then President of Columbia Records International, who had spent a decade traveling the world building CBS's international company. In 1972 Schein would leave CBS to become the president of Sony Corporation of America.[4]

Sony Music Entertainment Japan was officially incorporated in March 1968[5] as a Tokyo-based 50/50 joint venture between Sony and U.S. conglomerate CBS to distribute the latter's music releases in Japan. The company was incorporated as CBS/Sony Records and with Sony co-founder Akio Morita as president.[6][7][8]

Norio Ohga, who himself was a musician, was part of the management team from the formation of the company and served as president and representative director since April 1970.[9][10] In 1972, when CBS/Sony was generating robust profits, Ohga was named chairman and at the same time gained further responsibility and influence within Sony. He would continue to work for the music company one morning a week.[11] In 1980, Toshio Ozawa succeeded Ohga as president.[12]

In 1983, the company was renamed CBS/Sony Group.[5]

### Sony acquires The CBS Records Group in 1988

[edit]

In January 1988, after more than a year of negotiations, Sony acquired the CBS Records Group and the 50% of CBS/Sony Group that it did not already own.[13]

In March 1988, four wholly owned subsidiaries were folded into CBS/Sony Group: CBS/Sony Inc., Epic/Sony Records Inc., CBS/Sony Records Inc. and Sony Video Software International.[5][14]

The company was renamed Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), Inc.

Shugo Matsuo was named new president in January 1992, replacing Toshio Ozawa, who was appointed to the post of chairman.[15]

Overall sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1991, were 83.8 billion yen with a pretax profit of 9.2 billion yen.[15]

In June 1996, Ryokichi Kunugi became the new president. Shugo Matsuo was named chairman.[16]

Shigeo Maruyama was appointed to the new post of CEO on October 1, 1997, and replaced Kunugi as president in February 1998.[17]

In August 1998, the logo was changed from the original "Walking Eye" to the current one.

As of 2019, Mizuno Michinori is the official CEO of the company.

In May 2018, SMEJ, through its Sony Creative Products division, acquired a 39% stake in the Peanuts comic strip franchise from DHX Media.[18]

### Unties

[edit]

Sony Music Entertainment announced the launch of its first video game publishing label, Unties, in October 2017. Unties will publish indie games for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The name was selected by Sony as representative of helping to "unleash" the power of independent video game development and "unshackle" such developers from the traditional video game publishing process.[19]

Unties' first release was Tiny Metal, a turn-based tactics video game developed by Area 35, for the Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC. The game was first premiered at PAX West Indie Megabooth.[20] Published Azure Reflections, a side-scrolling bullet hell developed by Souvenir Circ., on May 15, 2018, for the PS4.[21] Published Touhou Gensou Wanderers Reloaded, a roguelike rpg developed by Aqua Style, for the PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.[22] Published Necrosphere, a platformer developed by Cat Nigiri, for the PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, and PSVita.[22][23] Published Midnight Sanctuary, a VR/3D Novel game developed by CAVYHOUSE, for the PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC.[22][24] Published Tokyo Dark, a visual novel mystery adventure hybrid developed by Cherrymochi, for the PC.[25][22] Published Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers, an arcade racing game developed by Pocket, for the Nintendo Switch on August 30, 2018.[26][22] Scheduled to publish on Last Standard, a 3d action game developed by I From Japan, intended for PC.[27][28] Scheduled to publish The Good Life, a daily-life rpg developed by White Owls Inc., for the PS4 and PC.[29][22] Scheduled to publish Merkava Avalanche, a 3d cavalry warfare action game developed by WinterCrownWorks, for the PC.[30][22] Scheduled to publish Olija, an action adventure game developed by Skeleton Crew Studio, for the PC.[31][22] Scheduled to publish Deemo Reborn, a music rhythm and urban fantasy game developed by Taiwanese studio Rayak, for the PS4 with PSVR support.[28][22] Scheduled to publish Giraffe and Anika, a 3d adventure game developed by Atelier Mimina, for the PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC.[32][22] Scheduled to publish 3rd Eye, a 2d horror exploration game, based on the Touhou franchise, for the PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.[33][22] Scheduled to publish Gensokyo Defenders, a tower-defense game developed by Neetpia, for the PS4 and Nintendo Switch.[34][22] In 2019, Unties was dropped from the Sony group and became the new company Phoenixx.

### Increased competition

[edit]

The company's leading role on the Japanese market was increasingly challenged by labels such as Avex (where SMEJ formerly owned 5 percent of shares).[17][35] Net sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1997, were down 10% to 103 billion yen, while net income fell 41% to 7.7 billion yen.[35] The market share at that time was less than 18%.[35] In August 1997, Dreams Come True, until that point Sony Music Entertainment Japan's best-selling act, signed a worldwide multi-album deal with competing U.S. label Virgin Records America.[36]

Since then it was said that SMEJ ceded to Avex's challenge,[37] but SMEJ bounced back and regained leadership from its indie rival until 2012. SMEJ netted 22.4 billion yen for 1H 2012 and 14.3% of the market, second behind Avex (24.95 B yen, 15.9%).[38]

In May 2017, SMEJ, through subsidiary Sony Music Marketing (now Sony Music Solutions), acquired the physical retail and distribution rights to releases of another rival, Warner Music Japan.[39]

## Labels and sublabels

[edit]

### Active

[edit]

* Aniplex
* A-1 Pictures
* Aniplex.exe
* Aniplex of America
* Aniplex Shanghai
* Boundary
* CloverWorks
* Crunchyroll, LLC (co-owned with Sony Pictures)
* Crunchyroll streaming
* Crunchyroll UK and Ireland
* Crunchyroll Store Australia
* Crunchyroll EMEA
* Crunchyroll SAS
* Crunchyroll SA
* Crunchyroll GmbH
* Crunchyroll Games
* Crunchyroll Store
* Crunchyroll Channel (FAST streaming channel; co-owned with Sony Pictures Television Networks' Game Show Network, LLC)
* Hayate (co-owned with Aniplex)
* Peppermint Anime GmbH (co-owned with Peppermint Anime)
* Rialto Entertainment
* Music Ray'n [ja][40][41]
* Sony Music Labels
* Sony Music Records
* Sony Records – formerly known as CBS/Sony since 1968
* GR8! Records (read "G-R-eight") – founded April 2003
* Mastersix Foundation
* N46Div.
* Seed & Flower
* 22/7
* Niagara Records – private label of Eiichi Ohtaki
* Sony Music Japan International – distribution label for music from international version of Sony Music
* Echoes
* Epic Records Japan – formerly known as Epic/Sony since 1971
* Ki/oon Music – launched as Ki/oon Sony Records on April 1, 1992[42]
* SME Records – founded 1998 and taken over the Japanese anime television series "Pocket Monsters" since 2013.
* Sony Music Associated Records – given this name in 2001.[43][44]
* Onenation – joint venture with LDH Japan
* Ariola Japan – formerly known as BMG Japan until October 2009.[45]
* Sacra Music – anison label since 2017
* Sony Music Direct – founded as Sony Music House in 1996. Continues to use "Walking Eye" logo. Became part of Sony Music Labels in 2022.
* Sony Music Solutions – Overseas distribution of labels which have a distribution and contract with SMEJ. Formerly known as Sony Music Distribution until 2014 and as Sony Music Marketing until 2019.

### Defunct

[edit]

* Dohb Discs (1994–2000)
* Antinos Records – launched in 1994 with Sony Music director Shigeo Maruyama as its president. The first releases on August 21 were a mini-album by indie group Confusion and singles by the groups Aniss, Neverending Story, and Ginji Itoh.[46] (1994–2004, merged into Epic Records Japan)
* Studioseven Recordings (2006–2010, merged into Gr8! Records)
* Tofu Records (US sub-label, 2003–2007)
* Defstar Records – (2000–2015, merged into SME Records)
* Pikachu Records – (1997–2012, merged into SME Records and Sony Music Labels)
* VVV records
* OKeh – launched in 1994 and headed by Sony Music deputy president Hiroshi Inagaki.[46]
* Former sub-labels of Sony Music Associated Records
* True Kiss Disc – private label of Tetsuya Komuro
* Tributelink – Temporary label in 2001
* Terry Dollar Records – formerly private label of Oreskaband
* Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Records – (2005–2010)
* Former sub-labels of Ki/oon Music
* Fitz Beat[42]
* Haunted Records
* Ki/oon Records2
* Neosite
* Siren Song – formerly private label of X Japan[42]
* Trefort[42]
* Former Aniplex subsidiaries (on behalf of Crunchyroll LLC (with Sony Pictures))
* 5 Point Pictures
* Funimation
* Right Stuf
* VRV
* Wakanim
* Quatro A

### Other services

[edit]

* Antinos Management America Inc. – Overseas marketing and promotion of SMEJ artists[47]
* Monogatary.com – Named after a stylized romanization of monogatari (物語, 'story'), a social networking service about creative writing and illustrations founded in October 2017.[48] Has collaborated with SMEJ artists, most notably Yoasobi, which was initially formed to create music based on selected stories on the site.[49][48]
* Sony Creative Products – Character licensing, usually working with overseas characters, such as the Peanuts franchise[b] and Pingu.
* Zepp Hall Network Inc. – Operates 11 concert halls in Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia

## Notable artists

[edit]

* 2AM
* 2PM
* 9nine
* Abingdon Boys School
* Access
* Aco
* Aimer
* AKB48 (2006–2008)
* Aki Toyosaki
* ALI
* Ami Suzuki (1998–2001)
* An Cafe
* Angela Aki
* Aoi Eir
* Aqua Timez
* Asian Kung-Fu Generation
* Automatic Loveletter
* Ayahi Takagaki
* Beat Crusaders
* Boom Boom Satellites
* The Boss
* The Boyz
* The Brilliant Green
* Buckethead
* Chai
* Chara (1990–2004, 2012–present)
* Chemistry
* Chiaki Kuriyama
* Cinder Road
* ClariS
* Coldrain
* Cool Joke
* The Cro-Magnons
* Creepy Nuts
* Crossfaith
* Crystal Kay (1999–2011)
* Dancing Dolls
* Dead or Alive
* Debbie Gibson
* Depapepe
* Denki Groove
* Dir En Grey
* Does
* Dreams Come True
* Egoist
* Eric Martin
* Fight Like Apes
* Flow
* Galileo Galilei
* Garnidelia (2014–2021)
* The Gazette
* Got7 (2014–2021)
* Halcali
* Hajime Chitose
* Haruka Tomatsu
* Harumi Tsuyuzaki
* Hikaru Utada
* Himeka (2009–2012)
* Hinatazaka46
* Hitorie
* Home Made Kazoku
* Hyde
* I Am Ghost
* I Wish
* Ikimono Gakari
* Ikue Ōtani
* Jasmine
* Jinn
* Joe Inoue
* Judy Ongg
* Jay Sean
* Judy and Mary (1991–2001)
* June
* JY
* K
* Kalafina (2007–2019)
* Kana Hanazawa (2012–2021)
* Kana Nishino
* Kelun
* Ken Hirai
* Kenshi Yonezu
* King Gnu
* Konomi Suzuki
* Kotaro Oshio
* Kep1er
* Kung Faux
* L'Arc-en-Ciel
* Lama
* Led Zepagain
* Little by Little
* Ling Tosite Sigure
* LiSA
* Loick Essien
* Long Shot Party
* Luna Haruna
* Maboroshi
* Mai Hoshimura
* Man with a Mission
* Masahiko Kondō
* Masakazu Morita
* Mayu Watanabe
* MBLAQ
* Meisa Kuroki
* MiChi
* Miho Fukuhara
* Mika Nakashima
* Milet
* Miliyah Kato
* Minako Kotobuki
* Minami Kuribayashi
* Miwa
* Miyu Nagase
* Naniwa Express
* Mucc (2011–2017)
* Nami Tamaki
* Nana Kitade
* Natsume Mito
* Nico Touches the Walls
* NiziU
* No3b (2008–2013)
* Nobodyknows
* Nogizaka46
* Nothing's Carved in Stone
* NU'EST
* Orange Range
* Oreskaband
* Piko
* Polysics
* Porno Graffitti
* Prague
* Puffy AmiYumi (1996–2015)
* Rei Yasuda
* Reol
* ReoNa
* Rie Fu
* Rina Chinen
* Rica Matsumoto
* Rize
* Rythem
* Sachiko Kobayashi
* Saki Kubota (1979–1984)
* Sakurazaka46
* Sambomaster
* SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]
* Sayaka Kanda
* Scandal
* School Food Punishment
* Seamo (2002–2011; 2019–)
* Secret (2011–2013)
* Seiko Matsuda
* Siam Shade
* Shinichi Osawa
* Shion Tsuji
* Shoko Nakagawa
* SID
* SixTones
* Soul'd Out
* Soulhead
* Sowelu
* Spyair
* Stance Punks
* Stephanie
* Stereopony
* Stray Kids
* SunSet Swish
* Supercell
* T.M.Revolution
* Tamio Okuda
* TFN
* TiA
* TripleS
* TK from Ling Losite Sigure
* Totalfat
* Tomoko Kawase
* Tomohisa Sako
* Tomohisa Yamashita
* Toshinobu Kubota
* Tube
* Uri Nakayama
* Uverworld
* Vaundy
* Whitesnake (1982–1994)
* Wonder Girls
* X Japan
* Yellow Generation
* Yoasobi
* Yoshida Brothers
* Younha
* Yui
* Yuna Ito
* Yuya Matsushita
* Zebrahead
* Zone

### Actors

[edit]

* Ken Ishiguro
* Satoshi Ichijo
* Yuki Ito
* Shota Inoue
* Shutaro Kadoshi
* Kyôhei Kanomi
* Yuki Kura
* Ryo Takasugi
* Ryo Narita
* Nishikiori Gekidan
* Kazuhiko Nishimura
* Rio Masuzawa
* Meguro-eup
* Yuki Morinaga
* Yuma Yamoto
* Daichi Watanabe
* Yutaro Watanabe

### Actress

[edit]

* Misato Aoyama
* Haruka Echigo
* Maya Okano
* Ririka Kato
* Miho Kitagawa
* Yuki Kimoto
* Sayu Kubota
* Kana Kurashina
* Kokusho Sayuri
* Yuki Saso
* Saki Sato
* Hakusan Himeashi
* Riho Takada
* Rina Takeda
* Tao Tsuchiya
* Eriko Tomiyama
* Riko Nagase
* Natsukawa Asa
* Fumi Nikaido
* Tomoko Nozaki
* Ai Hashimoto
* Mayumi Hasegawa
* Kaoru Hirata
* Kiyo Matsumoto
* Misato Morita
* Nana Mori
* Kanna Mori
* Ririka
* Misako Renbutsu

## Other people

[edit]

* Norio Ohga
* Akio Morita
* Toshio Ozawa
* Shugo Matsuo
* Ryokichi Kunugi
* Shigeo Maruyama
* Takashi Yoshida† (died 2010, transferred to Warner Music before death)
* Vivid
* Hiroshi Inagaki (now on Avex Group)
* Naoki Kitagawa
* Kazutomo Enomoto
* Yaz Noya (Tofu Records founder)
* Nozomi Sasaki
* Masatoshi Sakai† (record producer from 1968, died 2021)[50]

## See also

[edit]

* Sony Music Entertainment
* BMG Japan
* Music On! TV – SMEJ-owned cable TV network

### Key rivals

[edit]

* Avex Group (once an affiliate of Sony Music, also the 2nd biggest record label in Japan)[51]
* Universal Music Japan
* Warner Music Japan

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ While Sony Music Japan is directly owned by Sony itself, Sony Music Entertainment is owned by Sony's New York, USA-based subsidiary Sony Entertainment through Sony Music Group.
2. ^ SCP held the licensing rights of Peanuts in Japan since 2010. Later in 2018, SMEJ bought 39% of DHX Media's stake on Peanuts Worldwide LLC.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Sony Japan not part of BMG merger plan-Bertelsmann". Forbes.com. November 15, 2003. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
2. ^ Corporate History | Aniplex | アニプレックス オフィシャルサイト Archived January 23, 2021, at the Wayback Machine. Aniplex. Retrieved on January 4, 2018.
3. ^ "Acquisition of Shares in BMG Japan Inc. by Sony Music Entertainment Japan Inc. (Japanese)" (PDF). Sony Corporation. October 2, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 22, 2011. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
4. ^ Sony History, Chapter 18, The Strong-Willed Schein
5. ^ a b c Sony Music Entertainment Japan – History Archived December 25, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved September 15, 2010
6. ^ Kimio Kase, Francisco J. Sáez-Martínez, Hernán Riquelme: Transformational CEOs: Leadership and Management Success in Japan. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2005, ISBN 1-84542-046-2. Page 16.
7. ^ "Sony and the Modern Age". Archived from the original on February 17, 2001. Retrieved September 14, 2017.. Sony Music UK, Retrieved on August 6, 2006.
8. ^ CBS/Sony Records is Established in First Round of Capital Deregulation. Sony History. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
9. ^ Press release: Chairman of the Board Norio Ohga Retires as Director of Sony Corporation. Sony Corporation, January 28, 2003. Retrieved September 15, 2010
10. ^ John Nathan: Sony. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2001, ISBN 0-618-12694-5. Pages 146–147.
11. ^ John Nathan: Sony. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2001, ISBN 0-618-12694-5. Page 147.
12. ^ The Joy of Creating Something New. Sony History. Accessed September 17, 2010.
13. ^ The Acquisition of CBS Records and Columbia Pictures. Sony History. Accessed September 27, 2010.
14. ^ CBS/Sony to Take Over 4 Subsidiaries. Jiji Press Ticker Service, February 12, 1988
15. ^ a b Steve McClure: Sony Music Names Matsuo to Head Label in Japan In: Billboard, February 8, 1992. Page 4.
16. ^ Attorneys Launch Entertainment-Focused Firm In: Los Angeles Times, May 3, 1996. Accessed September 17, 2010.
17. ^ a b Steve McClure: "CEO Maruyama Steps Up as New SMEJ President". In Billboard, February 28, 1998.
18. ^ "Sony Music Entertainment Japan pays $185m to buy 39% in Snoopy cartoon company Peanuts – Music Business Worldwide". May 14, 2018.
19. ^ Phillips, Tom (October 17, 2017). "Sony to release indie game on Nintendo Switch". Eurogamer. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
20. ^ "A new Sony label's publishing a Nintendo Switch game". Polygon. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
21. ^ "Sony Publishing Label Unties Games Rains Bullet Hell Down on PlayStation 4 Today with Release of Azure Reflections". Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Unties announces PAX West 2018 lineup – Gematsu". Gematsu. August 22, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
23. ^ "Cat Nigiri". www.catnigiri.com. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
24. ^ "The Midnight Sanctuary: Guide Side -Home-". www.carpefulgur.com. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
25. ^ "Cherrymochi". www.tokyodark.com. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
26. ^ "Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers". Metacritic. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
27. ^ "I From Japan". I From Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved November 21, 2018.
28. ^ a b "UNTIES Games for everyone". UNTIES Games for everyone. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
29. ^ "The Good Life". Kickstarter. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
30. ^ "Merkava Avalanche[メルカバ・アバランチ]│OFFICIAL SITE". Merkava Avalanche[メルカバ・アバランチ]│OFFICIAL SITE (in Japanese). Retrieved November 21, 2018.
31. ^ "Skeleton Crew Studio – Work". Skeleton Crew Studio. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
32. ^ "ジラフとアンニカ Giraffe and annika ジラフとアンニカ公式 ３Dアドベンチャーゲーム". ジラフとアンニカ Giraffe and annika ジラフとアンニカ公式 ３Dアドベンチャーゲーム (in Japanese). Retrieved November 21, 2018.
33. ^ "3rd eye". Retrieved November 21, 2018.
34. ^ Neetpia. "Gensokyo Defenders". neetpia.sakura.ne.jp. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
35. ^ a b c Steve McClure: SMEJ's Other Announcements, "Komuro's Sony Deal Won't Hurt Avex Relations" – Maruyama. In: Billboard, February 28, 1998.
36. ^ Virgin's Dreams Come True. In: Billboard, August 20, 1997.
37. ^ Kana Nishino | CNN Travel. Cnngo.com (December 11, 2009). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
38. ^ "Avex tops total sales ranking for the first half of 2012". Oricon. July 20, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
39. ^ "ワーナー、CD/DVD等パッケージ商品の小売販売・流通業務をソニー・ミュージックマーケティングへ委託" [Warner, outsources retail sales and distribution of packaged products such as CD / DVD to Sony Music Marketing]. Musicman (in Japanese). May 31, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
40. ^ ミュージックレイン. Musicrayn.com. Retrieved on July 16, 2013.
41. ^ Sony Music Group Company Site – グループ会社情報. Sme.co.jp. Retrieved on July 16, 2013.
42. ^ a b c d International – Newsline. In: Billboard, April 25, 1992. Page 36
43. ^ Stevens. Japanese Popular Music: Culture, Authenticity and Power. Routledge. 2008. p 156.
44. ^ 沿革. Sony Music Group.
45. ^ History | Company Information | Sony Music Group Corporate Site. Sme.co.jp. Retrieved on February 14, 2019.
46. ^ a b Steve McClure: Sony Bows Two Japan Subsids. In: Billboard, October 15, 1994. Page 53.
47. ^ "Nadeshiko Nakahara". Project Anime. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
48. ^ a b "monogatary.comのコンテスト「モノコン2019」開幕。90日後に、ホラードラマやコミック、オーディオブック等の原作者が誕生。". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
49. ^ Japan, Billboard (July 1, 2020). "Rising J-Pop Duo YOASOBI Reveal Influences From Anime to Folk: Interview". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
50. ^ 音楽プロデューサー酒井政利さん死去 85歳 山口百恵さんら手掛け. Mainichi Shimbun. 19 July 2021.
51. ^ "Billboard". 110 (9). Nielsen Business Media. February 28, 1998: 85. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved December 31, 2012. `{{cite journal}}`: Cite journal requires `|journal=` (help)

## External links

[edit]

* Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. official website
* Sony Music Entertainment Japan's channel on YouTube

* v
* t
* e

Sony Music Entertainment

Key personnel|

* Rob Stringer

Flagship|

* Columbia Records
* RCA Records
* Epic Records
* Arista Records

Nashville|

* Columbia Nashville
* RCA Records Nashville
* Provident Label Group
* The Orchard

Sony Masterworks|

* Sony Classical Records
* Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
* Portrait Records
* Milan Records
* RCA Red Seal Records
* Okeh Records

UK|

* Black Butter Records
* Syco Music (50%)
* Relentless Records
* Ministry of Sound

Japan|

* Epic Records Japan
* Kioon Music
* Ariola Japan
* Sacra Music
* Echoes
* Mora
* Aniplex
* Aniplex of America
* A-1 Pictures
* CloverWorks
* Crunchyroll, LLC (co-owned with Sony Pictures)
* Crunchyroll
* Crunchyroll EMEA
* Crunchyroll UK and Ireland
* Crunchyroll Store Australia
* Music On! TV
* Peanuts Worldwide (39%)
* The First Take

Distribution|

* AWAL
* The Orchard
* RED Music
* TVT Records

Other labels|

* Alamo Records
* Som Livre
* RCA Inspiration
* Phonogenic Records
* Ultra Records
* Century Media Records
* Legacy Recordings
* Kemosabe Records
* Dischi Ricordi
* Robbins Entertainment
* Somethin' Else
* Sony Music Publishing
* Sony Music Australia
* Sony Music Mexico
* Sony Music India
* Sony Music South
* Sony Music Latin
* Sony Music Philippines
* Vevo
* Volcano Entertainment

* v
* t
* e

Sony

History

Founders|

* Masaru Ibuka
* Akio Morita

Primary businesses|

* Sony Corporation
* Sony Semiconductor Solutions
* Sony Entertainment
* Sony Music Group
* Entertainment
* Publishing
* Sony Pictures
* Sony Financial Group
* Sony Life
* Sony Bank
* Sony Interactive Entertainment
* PlayStation
* Sony Music Entertainment Japan
* Aniplex
* A-1 Pictures
* CloverWorks
* Hayate Inc.

Technologies
and brands|

* α (Alpha)
* Archival Disc
* Betacam
* Bionz
* Blu-ray
* Bravia
* CD
* Cell
* Cyber-shot
* Dash
* Dream Machine
* DVD
* Exmor
* FeliCa
* Handycam
* HDCAM/HDCAM-SR
* HMZ-T1
* Inzone
* LocationFree
* Memory Stick
* MiniDisc
* MiniDV
* MicroMV
* mylo
* PlayNow
* PlayStation
* Reader
* S/PDIF
* SDDS
* 8 channel films
* Sony Entertainment Network
* SXRD
* Sony Tablet
* Tunnel diode
* TransferJet
* UMD
* Vaio
* Video8/Hi8/Digital8
* Vision-S
* Walkman
* XDCAM
* Xperia

Historical products|

* AIBO
* CV-2000
* DAT
* Betamax
* Sony CLIÉ
* Discman
* Jumbotron
* Lissa
* Mavica
* NEWS
* Optiarc
* PVM-4300
* Qualia
* Rolly
* TR-55
* Trinitron
* FD series
* 1 inch Type C
* U-matic
* Vaio
* Watchman
* WEGA

Electronics|

* Sony Creative Software
* FeliCa Networks (57%)

Online distribution
platforms|

* PlayStation Network
* PlayStation Plus
* PlayStation Store
* Sony Pictures Core
* SonyLIV
* Crunchyroll
* mora
* Great American Pure Flix (joint venture with Great American Media)

| Former/Defunct|

* Sony Entertainment Network
* Sony Connect
* PlayNow
* PlayStation Now
* PlayStation Video
* PlayStation Vue
* Anime Digital Network
* Anime on Demand
* AnimeLab
* Crackle
* Minisodes
* Funimation
* PressPlay
* VRV
* Wakanim

|

Other businesses|

* Sony DADC
* Sony Network Communications
* Sony Professional Solutions
* Sony Honda Mobility (50%)
* M3 (39.4%)
* Vaio (4.9%)

Other assets|

* Sony Corporation of America (umbrella company in the US)
* Other subsidiaries
* List of acquisitions
* List of libraries

Nonprofit organizations|

* Sony Institute of Higher Education Shohoku College

Other|

* Sony Toshiba IBM Center of Competence for the Cell Processor
* Sony timer

* v
* t
* e

IFPI members in Japan

* Avex Group Holdings Inc.
* Victor Entertainment
* King Record Co. Ltd.
* Nippon Crown Co. Ltd.
* Pony Canyon Inc.
* Pryaid Records Inc.
* Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.
* Teichiku Entertainment Inc.
* Tokuma Japan Communications Co. Ltd.
* Universal Music LLC
* VAP Inc.
* Warner Music Japan Inc.

* v
* t
* e

Music of Japan

"Kimigayo" (National anthem)

Traditional|

Instruments

| Genres and styles|

*     * Bugaku
* Bushi
* Dainichido Bugaku
* Danmono
* Gagaku
* Gigaku
* Jōruri
* Kouta
* Min'yō
* Nagauta
* Rōkyoku
* Saimon Ondo [ja]
* Komori-uta (lullaby)
* Warabe Uta [ja]
* Kazoe Uta [ja]
* Ekaki Uta [ja]
* Temari Uta [ja]

|

Post Meiji Restoration

(1868–present)|

* Commercial song [ja]
* Gakusēka (student song) [ja]
* Kōka (school song) [ja]
* Ryōka (dormitory song) [ja]
* Daigaku-Ōenka (cheering song of university) [ja]
* Enzetsuka/Enka
* Gunka (military song)
* Jazz
* Kayōkyoku
* Senji-kayō [ja]
* Gunkoku-kayō [ja]
* Radio calisthenics song
* Ryūkōka
* Shichōsonka (municipality song) [ja]
* Shōka [ja]
* Manshū-Shōka [ja]
* Shin-min'yō [ja]

Post-War

(1945–present)|

| 1945–present|

* Kayōkyoku
* Mood-kayō [ja]
* Idol-kayō [ja]
* Group Sounds
* Image song
* J-pop
* Rock

|

1970–present|

* Anime song
* Chiptune
* City pop
* Denpa song
* Disco [ja]
* Electro
* Electropop
* Eurobeat
* Disco [ja]
* Hardcore punk
* Hip hop
* Metal
* Noise
* Noise rock
* Nu-music [ja]
* Ōenka (cheering song)
* Reggae
* Synth-pop
* Ska
* Visual kei
* Italo Disco
* Italo House
* Juliana’s techno

1990–present|

* Bitpop
* Grime
* Being-kei [ja]
* J-core
* Japanese net label scene
* Kawaii metal
* Komuro-kei [ja]
* Onkyokei
* Shibuya-kei
* Akishibu-kei
* Utaite
* Visual kei
* Eroguro kei
* Nagoya kei
* Vocaloid music

Ethnic and regional|

* Ainu music
* Rekuhkara
* Southern Islands

Charts|

| Oricon|

* Singles Chart
* Combined Singles Chart
* Albums Chart
* Combined Albums Chart
* Karaoke Chart

|

Billboard Japan|

* Hot 100
* Hot Albums

Other|

* RIAJ Digital Track Chart (discontinued)

Achievements|

* List of best-selling music artists in Japan
* List of best-selling Western artists in Japan
* List of best-selling albums in Japan
* List of best-selling singles in Japan

Record companies|

| "Big 10"

(as of 2025[update])|

* Avex Group
* Sony Music Entertainment Japan
* Universal Music Japan
* King Record Co.
* J Storm
* Victor Entertainment
* Being Inc.
* Warner Music Group
* Pony Canyon
* Teichiku Entertainment

|

Others|

* Major
* Independent

Musicians|

* List of musical artists from Japan
* List of Japanese musical groups
* List of J-pop artists
* List of Japanese composers
* List of Japanese hip hop musicians
* List of Japanese singers

Timeline and years|

* 1967
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Online distributors|

* iTunes Store
* Apple Music
* Google Play Music
* Amazon Music
* Spotify
* KKBox (the successor of LISMO Unlimited)
* RecoChoku [ja]
* Music.jp [ja]
* Mora
* Dwango.jp
* E-Onkyo music
* Oricon Music Store
* Line Music
* MySound [ja]
* OTOTOY [ja]
* AWA [ja]

Other topics|

* Awards
* Shinto music

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz label
* 2
* 3
* 4

|

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