Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. (SMEJ), also known as Sony Music Japan, is a Japanese entertainment company wholly owned by Sony Group Corporation. SMEJ's extensive operations encompass record labels, music publishing, anime production, and event organization. Founded in 1968 as CBS/Sony, the company operates independently from the United States–based Sony Music Entertainment due to its diversity and strength in the Japanese market. Its prominent subsidiaries include Sony Music Labels, which manages and operates its various record labels; Sony Music Solutions, which provides comprehensive support services like physical distribution, merchandise sales, and event planning; and the animation production company, Aniplex.
The company holds a dominant position in the Anime song market, with its artists providing songs for several series per year. Sony Music Japan has long utilized anime productions as a major platform for its artists, particularly through its subsidiary Aniplex. The establishment of the Sacra Music label in 2017 further cemented this focus, dedicated specifically to managing artists prominent in the anisong genre, such as LiSA and Aimer. This strategy leverages the global popularity of anime titles to propel Japanese artists to international audiences.
Sony Music does not hold the trademark rights to the Columbia name in Japan; therefore, releases from Columbia Records (outside of Japan) are issued under the Sony Records label in Japan, though they retain the usage of the "walking eye" logo. The rights to the Columbia name and trademark are instead controlled by Nippon Columbia, which served as the licensee for the American Columbia Records until 1968.
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.[2]
Sony Music Entertainment Japan was officially incorporated in March 1968[3] 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.[4][5][6]
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.[7][8] 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.[9] In 1980, Toshio Ozawa succeeded Ohga as president.[10]
In 1983, the company was renamed CBS/Sony Group.[3]
Sony acquires The CBS Records Group in 1988
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.[11]
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.[3][12]
The company was renamed Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), Inc.
On November 22, 1991, Sony Music began trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, initially offered at its 6,800 yen per share subscription price, but fell to 5,700 yen due to no buyers.[13]
Shugo Matsuo was named new president in January 1992, replacing Toshio Ozawa, who was appointed to the post of chairman.[14]
Overall sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1991, were 83.8 billion yen with a pretax profit of 9.2 billion yen.[14]
In June 1996, Ryokichi Kunugi became the new president. Shugo Matsuo was named chairman.[15]
Shigeo Maruyama was appointed to the new post of CEO on October 1, 1997, and replaced Kunugi as president in February 1998.[16]
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.[17]
Unties
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.[18]
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.[19] Published Azure Reflections, a side-scrolling bullet hell developed by Souvenir Circ., on May 15, 2018, for the PS4.[20] Published Touhou Gensou Wanderers Reloaded, a roguelike rpg developed by Aqua Style, for the PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.[21] Published Necrosphere, a platformer developed by Cat Nigiri, for the PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, and PSVita.[21][22] Published Midnight Sanctuary, a VR/3D Novel game developed by CAVYHOUSE, for the PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC.[21][23] Published Tokyo Dark, a visual novel mystery adventure hybrid developed by Cherrymochi, for the PC.[24][21] Published Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers, an arcade racing game developed by Pocket, for the Nintendo Switch on August 30, 2018.[25][21] Scheduled to publish on Last Standard, a 3d action game developed by I From Japan, intended for PC.[26][27] Scheduled to publish The Good Life, a daily-life rpg developed by White Owls Inc., for the PS4 and PC.[28][21] Scheduled to publish Merkava Avalanche, a 3d cavalry warfare action game developed by WinterCrownWorks, for the PC.[29][21] Scheduled to publish Olija, an action adventure game developed by Skeleton Crew Studio, for the PC.[30][21] Scheduled to publish Deemo Reborn, a music rhythm and urban fantasy game developed by Taiwanese studio Rayak, for the PS4 with PSVR support.[27][21] Scheduled to publish Giraffe and Anika, a 3d adventure game developed by Atelier Mimina, for the PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC.[31][21] Scheduled to publish 3rd Eye, a 2d horror exploration game, based on the Touhou franchise, for the PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.[32][21] Scheduled to publish Gensokyo Defenders, a tower-defense game developed by Neetpia, for the PS4 and Nintendo Switch.[33][21] In 2019, Unties was dropped from the Sony group and became the new company Phoenixx.
Increased competition
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).[16][34] 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.[34] The market share at that time was less than 18%.[34] 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.[35]
Since then it was said that SMEJ ceded to Avex's challenge,[36] 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%).[37]
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.[38]
Aniplex Inc. is the SMEJ subsidiary responsible for the production, distribution and licensing of Japanese animation and related media. Established in September 1995, it became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Japan in 2001. Aniplex has been involved in various major anime franchises like Fullmetal Alchemist, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, and Demon Slayer. The company also produces stage plays and publishes video games, notably the highly successful mobile game Fate/Grand Order.
Sony Music Labels
Sony Music (Japan) Logo
Sony Music Labels Inc. (SML) is the primary subsidiary of SMEJ's music division, tasked with the consolidated management and operation of the company's many record labels and large musical artist roster. SML was established to create a unified strategy across various genres and market segments. Its high-profile imprints include Sony Music Records, Epic Records Japan, Ki/oon Music, and Sacra Music.
Sony Music Solutions
The headquarters of Sony Music Solutions is located in the Tokyo Midtown Tower.
Sony Music Solutions Inc. (SMS) serves as the comprehensive services and infrastructure arm of SMEJ. Its extensive responsibilities include the manufacturing, packaging, and physical distribution of music and video content for all group labels. Beyond logistics, SMS is the key provider for fan-facing activities, managing concert and live event production, organizing 2.5D musicals and exhibitions, overseeing the planning and sales of merchandise, and operating official fan clubs. The subsidiary also develops various digital and technology-based solutions to support the group's entertainment businesses.
Sony Music Artists
Sony Music Artists Inc. (SMA) is the major talent and artist management agency within the SMEJ group. It handles the careers of numerous Japanese musicians, actors, voice actors, and tarento. SMA provides management, booking, and promotional services, operating as a crucial link between the artists and the recording labels and production houses.
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 that have a distribution and contract with SMEJ. Formerly known as Sony Music Distribution until 2014 and as Sony Music Marketing until 2019.
Defunct
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.[45] (1994–2004, merged into Epic Records Japan)
Antinos Management America Inc. – Overseas marketing and promotion of SMEJ artists[46]
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.[47] Has collaborated with SMEJ artists, most notably Yoasobi, which was initially formed to create music based on selected stories on the site.[48][47]
Sony Creative Products – Character & Franchise licensing/distribution in the Japanese market, usually working with overseas characters, such as the Peanuts franchise[a] and Pingu.
↑Kimio Kase, Francisco J. Sáez-Martínez, Hernán Riquelme: Transformational CEOs: Leadership and Management Success in Japan. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2005, ISBN1-84542-046-2. Page 16.
↑"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.
↑ミュージックレイン. Musicrayn.com. Retrieved on July 16, 2013.
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¥447,2 billion (FY24)
