Universal Music Japan

Japanese subsidiary of Universal Music Group

Universal Music LLC

Logo in use since January 2020

Jingumae Tower Building, Universal Music Japan's headquarters in Tokyo

Native name

| ユニバーサル ミュージック

Romanized name

| Yunibāsaru myūjikku
Formerly|

* PolyGram Co., Ltd. (1990–1999)
* Universal Music Co., Ltd. (1999–2009)

Company type| Subsidiary
Industry|

* Music
* Entertainment

Founded| April 20, 1990; 35 years ago (1990-04-20)
Headquarters| 1-5-8 Jingumae, Shibuya,

Tokyo

Japan

Area served

| East Asia

Key people

* Naoshi Fujikura (president and CEO)
* Keiichi Ishizaka (former president)

Products| Music and entertainment
Revenue| See Universal Music Group
Total equity| ¥295.2 million (US$2.69 million) (2021)

Number of employees

| 550
Parent| Universal Music Group
Divisions| List of Universal Music Japan labels
Subsidiaries| DRC LLC
Office Augusta [ja]
Universal Music Artists
Universal Music Creative
Universal Music Publishing Japan
Website| www.universal-music.co.jp
Footnotes / references
[1]

Universal Music LLC (Japanese: ユニバーサル ミュージック合同会社, Hepburn: Yunibāsaru myūjikku Gōdō gaisha), often referred to as just Universal Music Japan or UMJ, is a Japanese subsidiary of the Universal Music Group founded in 1990. It is the largest subsidiary for a foreign company in Japan regarding music distribution. The company is responsible for marketing and distribution in Japan for Japanese releases under Universal.

As of 2019, Universal Japan holds the second most shares in the Japanese music market, behind Sony Music Japan, and is followed by Avex.[2]

## History

[edit]

### Early years

[edit]

The company was founded as PolyGram Co., Ltd. in 1990 with Koike Kazuhiko serving as president and CEO. In 1999, the company was restructured and renamed as Universal Music Co., Ltd., following Seagram's acquisition of PolyGram, and its subsequent integration into Universal Studios.

### 2009–2013: Renaming to Universal Music LLC

[edit]

In 2009, the company was renamed as Universal Music LLC. Kazuhiko stepped down as CEO and Keiichi Ishizaka became CEO and president of the company.[3]

### 2013–2014: Restructure following EMI purchase

[edit]

In 2011, EMI agreed to sell its recorded music operations to Universal Music Group for £1.2 billion ($1.9 billion) and its music publishing operations to a Sony-led consortium for $2.2 billion.[4] Among the other companies that had competed for the recorded music business was Warner Music Group which was reported to have made a $2 billion bid.[5] Universal Music Group completed their acquisition of EMI on September 28, 2012.[6] In 2012, Ishizaka became CEO of EMI Music Japan while Universal Japan was scheduled to hold a corporate swap in response of the merger.[7] EMI Music Japan officially was absorbed into Universal Japan, became defunct as a company with EMI Records Japan as a successor to the EMI Music Japan label. Nine months after the merger, Ishizaka stepped down from his position of CEO from Universal Japan, and became a non-executive chairman. His successor, Naoshi Fujikura was appointed in 2014.[3] In April 2014, Universal Japan was once again restructured. Many of its labels were rebranded and split multiple times, including EMI Records Japan which de-merged into two sublabels EMI Records and Virgin Records of which the latter rebranded as EMI R and then merged with Delicious Deli Records to form Virgin Music.[8][9]

### 2015–present: New business model, push for streaming and worldwide distribution

[edit]

In December 2015, Fujikura announced that Universal Japan "is a new business" and that the company would adopt a new business model to strengthen business.[10] These changes were effective as of January 1, 2016.[10] A new label, Universal-W was established in December 2015 with Japanese company Warlock.[11]

In August 2016, Radwimps released the soundtrack for the 2016 Japanese animated film Your Name. The album was a commercial success in Japan and in a rare feat, charted in the United States in 2017.[12] In December of the same year, Universal Japan acquired Office Augusta [ja], a music management agency (founded in 1992), and made it a fully owned subsidiary; as a result, the latter's "Augusta Records" label became an affiliated label of Universal Japan.[1]

In 2017, the company announced it would relocate from Minato, Tokyo to the Jingumae Tower Building in Shibuya, Tokyo. The relocation took place from September 15, 2018, to October 9.[13][14] In December 2017, Universal Japan announced they suspended the contract of Hilcrhyme member DJ Katsu following his arrest of possession of marijuana. He subsequently left the group following his arrest and the group lost their recording contract.[15]

In June 2018, Universal Japan announced an exclusive license agreement with Disney Music Group.[16]

In 2019, Universal Japan suspended the sales of Junnosuke Taguchi's discography and removed his releases from digital stores following his arrest of possession of marijuana.[17]

In 2020, Universal Japan updated their corporate logo to match the same logo used by the main Universal Music Group company.[18] In that same year, Universal launched the Virgin Music Label and Artist Services.[19] The service was launched in many Universal subsidiaries, including Universal Japan.

In 2021, Yoshimoto Music signed a distribution deal with Universal Japan for future releases. In July 2021, CEO and president Fujikura was listed on Billboard's International Power Players list.[20] In an interview with Billboard Japan, Fujikura shared about his measures on increasing streaming revenue and strategies to have Universal Japan artists chart overseas.[21] Universal Japan has since released previous releases of former and current artists under their labels worldwide digitally, including Hikaru Utada, Crystal Kay, Radwimps, Mrs. Green Apple, Che'Nelle and Ai.

In 2022, Fujikura was listed on Billboard's International Power Players list for a second year in a row. Fujikura became the first Japanese executive to appear on the list three times, including his first recognition in 2019.[22] In an interview, Fujikura discussed plans for creating new marketplaces in Japan and developing them overseas, particularly in the United States.[22] In September 2022, Travis Japan signed a record deal with Capitol Records, with distribution and marketing being handled by Universal Japan.[23] In October 2022, following the success of Uta's Songs: One Piece Film Red, Ado signed a record deal with Geffen Records alongside her current record deal with Virgin Music.[24]

In December 2022, Universal Japan announced an organization change, effective on January 1, 2023. Universal J, which was founded in 2002, was split into two labels, UJ and Polydor Records.[25] Imprints from Universal J including Johnny's Universe and Top J Records were transferred to UJ.[25] The company also announced Augusta Records would become an imprint of Universal Sigma.[25]

In April 2023, Fujikura was listed on the Billboard International Power Players list for a third year in a row.[26] In July 2023, Universal Japan announced a new imprint label under EMI, Holo-n, in partnership with Japanese virtual YouTuber agency Hololive Production.[27]

In January 2024, Universal Japan announced personnel changes for Virgin Music and Office Augusta.[28] In May, Fujikura was listed on the Billboard International Power Players list for a fourth consecutive year. Including his initial listing in 2019, Fujikura became the first Japanese CEO to appear on the Power Players list five times total.[29]

In February 2025, Universal Japan acquired A-Sketch from Amuse Inc. for an undisclosed amount.[30]

## Labels

[edit]

Further information: List of Universal Music Group labels

### Current labels

[edit]

* Polydor Records
* Perfume Records[a]
* Asse!! Records[b]
* Utahime Records[c]
* UJ[d]
* Over the Top[e]
* TJ Project[f]
* Project K&P[g]
* Universal Sigma
* Hehn Records[h]
* DCT Records[i]
* Yoshimoto Universal Tunes[j]
* U Cube[k]
* Lighthouse Music
* Universal D
* EMI Records
* Holo-n[l]
* Eastworld[m]
* Go Good Records[n]
* Mercury Tokyo
* Universal Gear
* Virgin Music
* Def Jam Recordings[o]
* Kinashi Records[p]
* Republic Records
* USM Japan
* Universal International
* UM & Brands
* Augusta Records[q]
* AU(G)TUNES[r]
* Augment Records[s]
* Newborder Recordings
* Universal Classics and Jazz
* Be-U[t]
* A-Sketch[u]
* Astro Voice
* DMM Music[v]
* UNIVOLT[w]

### Former labels

[edit]

* Delicious Deli Records
* EMI Records Japan
* Island Records
* EMI R
* Nayutawave Records
* Virgin Records
* Universal Victor
* Nippon Phonogram
* Mercury Music Entertainment
* Kitty Records
* Zero-A
* Far Eastern Tribe Records
* Universal-W
* Universal J
* Zen Music
* A&M Records
* Universal Music IST

## See also

[edit]

* Music portal
* Japan portal

* List of record labels
* EMI Music Japan
* Category:Universal Music Japan artists

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Private label for Perfume.
2. ^ Private label for HY.
3. ^ Private label for Akina Nakamori; formerly under Universal Sigma until 2023.
4. ^ Joint venture label in partnership with Starto Entertainment.
5. ^ Private label for timelesz. Formerly Top J Records.
6. ^ Private label for Travis Japan.
7. ^ Private label for King & Prince. Formerly Johnny's Universe.
8. ^ Private label for Fujii Kaze.
9. ^ Private label for Dreams Come True.
10. ^ Joint venture label in partnership with Yoshimoto Kogyo.
11. ^ Joint venture label in partnership with Cube Entertainment.
12. ^ Joint venture label in partnership with Hololive Production.
13. ^ Formerly a label division of EMI Music Japan, which merged with Universal Music Japan in 2012.
14. ^ Private label for Jin Akanishi.
15. ^ Formerly Def Jam Japan.
16. ^ Private label for Noritake Kinashi.
17. ^ A label division of Office Augusta, which became a Universal Music Japan company in 2016.
18. ^ Formerly Atsuga Records.
19. ^ Joint venture label in partnership with Avex Inc.
20. ^ Joint venture label in partnership with Be My Self Group [ja] (BMSG).
21. ^ Joint venture label in partnership with KDDI; became a Universal Music Japan company in 2025.
22. ^ Joint venture label in partnership with DMM.com.
23. ^ Joint venture label in partnership with VShojo NOVA.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "ユニバーサル ミュージック/オフィス オーガスタ 戦略的提携に向けた合意について" [Universal Music / Office Augusta Agreement on Strategic Alliance]. office-augusta.com (in Japanese). Office Augusta. December 28, 2016. Archived from the original on May 6, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
2. ^ Schwartz, Rob (November 17, 2020). "Japanese Label Avex Initiates Significant Downsizing". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
3. ^ a b Schwartz, Rob. "Naoshi Fujikura Becomes CEO of Universal Music Japan". Billboard.
4. ^ "Citigroup Sells EMI in Parts for $4.1 Billion to Vivendi, Sony". Businessweek.com. December 8, 2009. Archived from the original on November 12, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
5. ^ Warner Music Group Wants Part Of EMI Archived July 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine – Radio-Info.com Archived October 31, 2011, at the Wayback Machine (released October 31, 2011)
6. ^ Sisario, Ben (September 28, 2012). "Universal Closes on EMI Deal, Becoming, by Far, Biggest of Remaining Big Three". Mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
7. ^ "役員人事のお知らせ". Universal Music Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved September 26, 2021.
8. ^ 新レーベル 「Virgin Music」 設立について. Universal Music Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved September 26, 2021.
9. ^ "ユニバーサル、4/15付組織変更および人事異動を発表 | Musicman" [Universal Announces Executive Appointments, Organizational Changes, and Personnel Changes on April 15]. Musicman (in Japanese). April 14, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
10. ^ a b "ニュービジネス関連部門 組織改編について". Universal Music Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved September 26, 2021.
11. ^ "『UNIVERSAL-W』 誕生！". Universal Music Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved September 26, 2021.
12. ^ "Heatseekers Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
13. ^ "Notice Regarding Head Office Relocation". Universal Music Japan.
14. ^ "本社移転予定に関するお知らせ". Universal Music Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved September 26, 2021.
15. ^ Aysohmay. "Hilcrhyme's KATSU Arrested For Marijuana Possession + Group Dropped From Label". JpopAsia. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
16. ^ "ウォルト・ディズニー・レコーズの日本国内における独占ライセンス契約を締結". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES. June 25, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
17. ^ "田口淳之介＆小嶺麗奈容疑者、湾岸署に移送 顔上げ前を見据える". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
18. ^ "コーポレートロゴマークの変更について". Universal Music Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved May 4, 2023.
19. ^ "Universal Music Group Launches Virgin Music Label And Artist Services" (Press release). Universal Music Group. Retrieved September 26, 2021 - via www.prnewswire.com.
20. ^ "Universal Music Japan President/CEO Naoshi Fujikura Talks Streaming, Learning From K-Pop & More". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
21. ^ "Revealed: Billboard's 2021 International Power Players". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
22. ^ a b Tatsumi, Ryuji (August 9, 2022). "Universal Music Japan's Naoshi Fujikura Talks BTS' Big Year in Japan, Post-Pandemic Strategies & More: Interview". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
23. ^ "Travis Japan全世界メジャーデビュー決定、米国Capitol Recordsと契約（動画あり）". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved November 9, 2022.
24. ^ Luster, Joseph. "Ado Signs with Geffen Records to Release Music in the United States [UPDATED]". Crunchyroll. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
25. ^ a b c "ユニバーサル ミュージック、1/1付の役員人事および組織変更と人事異動を発表 | Musicman" [Universal Music Announces Executive Appointments, Organizational Changes, and Personnel Changes on 1/1]. Musicman (in Japanese). December 26, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
26. ^ "Billboard's 2023 International Power Players Revealed". Billboard. April 25, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
27. ^ "ユニバーサル ミュージックとホロライブプロダクションが共同レーベル「holo-n」設立" [Universal Music and Hololive Production Establish Joint Label "Holo-n"]. BARKS (in Japanese). July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
28. ^ "ユニバーサル ミュージック、1/1付人事異動の追加分を発表" [Universal Music Japan announces additional personnel changes effective January 1st]. Musicman (in Japanese). January 5, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
29. ^ "ユニバーサル ミュージック藤倉尚氏、米ビルボード誌・2024 International Power Playersに4年連続5度目の選出" [Universal Music Japan's Naoshi Fujikura named to Billboard's 2024 International Power Players for the fifth time in four years]. Musicman (in Japanese). May 2, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
30. ^ "株式会社A-Sketch株式取得のお知らせ" [Notice regarding the acquisition of A-Sketch Inc.'s shares (Press Release)]. Universal Music Japan (in Japanese). February 14, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to Universal Music Group at Wikimedia Commons
* Official website
* Universal Music Japan History page

* v
* t
* e

Universal Music Group

People|

* Lucian Grainge
* Sherry Lansing
* James Mitchell
* Manning Doherty
* Bill Ackman
* Philippe Flageul
* Jody Gerson
* Boyd Muir

Interscope Capitol Labels Group|

| Capitol Music Group|

* Capitol Records
* Blue Note Records
* Astralwerks
* Harvest Records
* SharpTone Records
* Capitol Christian Music Group
* ForeFront Records
* Sparrow Records
* Priority Records

|

Interscope Geffen A&M Records|

* Interscope Records
* Geffen Records
* A&M Records
* Nuclear Blast Records
* Blood Blast Distribution
* Interscope Films
* Aftermath Entertainment
* Darkroom
* Dreamville Records
* Kidinakorner
* Lost Highway Records
* Shady Records
* Cinematic Music Group
* Downtown Records

|

Verve Label Group|

* Deutsche Grammophon
* Decca Records
* Decca Classics
* Mercury KX
* Impulse! Records
* Verve Records
* Verve Forecast Records

Republic Corps|

* Republic Records
* Motown
* Quality Control Music
* Rowdy Records
* Motown Gospel
* Mercury Records
* Cash Money Records
* Young Money Entertainment
* SRC Records
* American Recordings
* Boominati Worldwide
* Brushfire Records
* Casablanca Records
* Federal Films
* Lava Records
* Universal Arabic Music
* XO
* Out of Line
* Def Jam Recordings
* Island Records

Virgin Music Group|

* Virgin Records
* Caroline Records
* Fontana Records
* Neon Gold Records
* Sumerian Records
* V2 Records
* PIAS Group
* PIAS Recordings
* A24 Music

UM Latin Entertainment|

* Capitol Latin
* Disa Records
* Fonovisa Records
* Machete Music
* Universal Music Latino
* Universal Music México

MCA|

* MCA Nashville
* Mercury Nashville Records
* Capitol Records Nashville
* EMI Records Nashville

UM Australia|

* Island Records Australia
* Golden Era Records
* Modular Recordings
* Mercury Records Australia
* EMI Music Australia

UM Japan|

* Polydor Records
* EMI Records
* Universal D
* Eastworld
* Virgin Music
* Def Jam Recordings
* Mercury Tokyo
* Universal Classics

UM UK|

* EMI Records
* Capitol UK
* Island UK
* Motown UK
* Polydor Records
* 0207 Def Jam
* Universal Music On Demand

UM Greater China|

* Capitol Records China
* EMI China
* PolyGram Records China
* Republic Records China
* Universal Music China
* Universal Music Hong Kong
* Universal Music Taiwan

UM France|

* Capitol Music France
* Decca Records France
* Island Def Jam
* MCA France
* Polydor France
* Romance Musique
* PIAS France
* Virgin Records France

UM Philippines|

* Def Jam Philippines
* EMI Records
* Island Philippines
* Republic Records Philippines
* UMG Philippines

Universal Music Africa|

* U-Live Africa
* Motown Gospel Africa
* Def Jam Recordings Africa
* Universal Music Group Nigeria
* Universal Music South Africa
* Blue Note Records Africa
* Virgin Music Africa

Other UMG labels|

* Universal Music Enterprises
* Hip-O Records
* Universal Music Indonesia
* Universal Music Malaysia

Publishing division|

* Universal Music Publishing Group
* Universal Production Music

Film/TV units|

* Eagle Rock Entertainment
* Grace - A Storytelling Company
* PolyGram Entertainment
* Universal Music Animation
* Vevo

Non-UMG distributed labels|

* Big Machine Label Group
* Disney Music Group
* Hollywood Records
* S-Curve Records
* Walt Disney Records
* Roc Nation
* ECM Records
* Dew Process
* Nickelodeon Records
* Because Music
* London Recordings
* Ed Banger Records

| International third-party licensees|

* Dreamus (South Korea (JYP Entertainment))
* Helicon (Israel)
* Tuff Gong (Caribbean)
* YG Plus (South Korea (HYBE Labels))
* Musica Studios (Indonesia)

|

* 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

* 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.

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz label

|

35°40′14.8692″N 139°42′24.33894″E﻿ / ﻿35.670797000°N 139.7067608167°E﻿ / 35.670797000; 139.7067608167
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