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Sony Music Entertainment Japan

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For the American music recording company within the Sony corporation, see Sony Music.

Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.
Native name
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
FormerlyCBS/Sony Records Inc. (1968–1983)
CBS/Sony Group, Inc. (1983–1991)
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryEntertainment
Founded11 March 1968; 58 years ago (1968-03-11)
Headquarters4–5 Rokubanchō,
Chiyoda, Tokyo
,
Japan
Area served
Japan
Key people
Atsuhiro Iwakami (president and CEO)
RevenueIncrease ¥447,2 billion (FY24)
Number of employees
5.000
ParentCBS Records Group (1968–1988)
Sony Group Corporation (1968–present)
SubsidiariesSee § Subsidiaries
Website

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 it retains 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.

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.[1]

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.[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

[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.[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]

Video games

[edit]

The company entered the video game industry in 1986 when CBS/Sony Records started making games for the Famicom with Seikima II Akuma no Gyakushū!,[18] and it was followed it in 1987 with the Epic/Sony Records label delivering Famicom games. This is not Sony's first entry into the video game industry, the company previously published games for MSX.[19] The company expanded in early 1989 when the group founded CSG Imagesoft to localize its titles for the North American market.[20][21] The company was renamed to Sony Imagesoft in 1991, nearly two years after Sony acquired Columbia Pictures, with the division moving to the Electronic Publishing subsidiary.[22]

The company formed Sony Computer Entertainment in 1993, forcing SME Japan to stop publishing Nintendo games under the Epic/Sony Records name, and started publish video games with the SME Japan name.[23] SME Japan however makes games autonomously from SCEI, like Psygnosis later did for SCEE and 989 Studios for SCEA. In 1998, the company signed a deal with Activision to publish games for Western territories, previously its games were localized by Sony Imagesoft, then SCEA/SCEE.[24] In 2000, most of the functions were in the progress of transferring of SCEI, finally phasing it out in 2004 following the release of wordimagesoundplay for PlayStation 2.[25] Also in 2000, the Tenchu IP was sold to Activision.[26]

List of games published and/or licensed

[edit]
Year Title Developer Platform Notes
as CBS/Sony Group
1986 Seikima II Akuma no Gyakushū! ISCO Famicom
1988 Paris-Dakar Rally Special!
1989 Kyuukyoku Tiger Micronics published in North America by American Sammy as Twin Cobra
Captain Ed Graphic Research
Famicom Doubutsu Seitai Zukan! Katte ni Shirokuma: Mori o Sukue no Maki!
TM Network: Live in Power Bowl CBS Sony Group
as Epic/Sony Records
1987 Tokoro-san no Mamoru mo Semeru mo HAL Laboratory Famicom
1988 Vegas Dream published by HAL America in North America
1989 Flying Hero Aicom
Tashiro Masashi no Princess ga Ippai TOSE
1990 Soccer Boy Kitty Group Game Boy known as Soccer Mania in North America
Solstice: The Quest for the Staff of Demnos Software Creations Famicom Japanese release
1991 RoboCop Ocean Software Game Boy
Hakunetsu Pro Yakyuu Ganba League Sting Super Famicom known as Extra Innings in North America
Drakkhen Bandit Inc. PC-98 Japanese adaptation
Sharp X68000
Jerry Boy Game Freak Super Famicom known as Smart Ball in North America
Dragon's Lair Motivetime Famicom Japanese release
Dragon's Lair: The Legend Game Boy
Altered Space Software Creations
Xenon 2: Megablast System Sacom PC-98 Japanese adaptation
Sharp X68000
Hudson Hawk Special FX Software Famicom Japanese release
1992 Game Boy
RoboCop 2 Painting by Numbers
Hook Famicom
Game Boy
Ukiyotei Super Famicom
Hakunetsu Pro Yakyuu Ganba League '93 Sting
1993 Utopia: The Creation of a Nation Gremlin Graphics Japanese release
Solstice II Software Creations known as Equinox in the Western markets
Hakunetsu Pro Yakyuu Ganba League '94 Sting
1994 Karau Ou Ukiyotei known as Skyblazer in the Western markets
as Sony Music Entertainment Japan
1994 Bakuden Unbalance Zone Kogado Studio Mega CD
PC Engine CD
Eastern Mind: The Lost Souls of Tong Nou OutSide Director's Company Microsoft Windows
Macintosh
Ginga no Uo: Ursa Minor Blue Au ga areba Daijobu Ltd. Microsoft Windows
Macintosh
1995 Kileak: The Blood Genki PlayStation known as Kileak: The DNA Imperative in North America
Chu-Teng Outside Directors Company Microsoft Windows
Macintosh
Kileak: The Blood 2 Genki PlayStation known as Epidemic in North America
Two-Tenkaku Energy Corporation
1996 AirAssault SingleTrac Microsoft Windows Japanese release
Twisted Metal
eexy life: East End X Yuri Cosmo Technology PlayStation
1997 Kowloon's Gate Zeque
Naniwa no Akindo: Futte Nanbo no Saikoro Jinsei OeRSTED
Lagnacure Art System
DamDam StompLand Atelier Double
1998 Denki Groove Jigoku V Opus
Ritti Ninja Katsugeki Tenchu Acquire published in Western markets by Activision as Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
Iceman: Digital Playstage Sony Music Entertainment (Japan)
Kahen Soukou Gunbike: Speed Power Gunbike Inti Creates
Jingle Cats: Love Para Daisakusen no Maki Vantan International Co., Ltd.
Microsoft Windows
Macintosh
Robots: Video Academy Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) PlayStation
Gangway Monsters
1999 Click Medic Game Freak
Ritta Ninja Katsugeki Tenchu: Shinobi-Gaisen Acquire
Meguri Aishite Sony Music Entertainment (Japan)
Puffy no P.S. I Love You
Itsuka, Kasanariau Ashita e: Shirou-hen MBA International
Itsuka, Kasanariau Ashita e: Sayuri-hen
Yoshimoto Muchicco Daikessen: Minami no Umi no Gorongo Shima Polygon Magic
Rittai Ninja Katsugeki Tenchu: Shinobi-Hyakusen Acquire
Fun! Fun! Pingu CAPS Inc.
2000 Lagnacure Legend Art System publishing rights sold to Artdink Corporation before release
Ritti Ninja Katsugeki Tenchu 2 Acquire publishing rights sold to Acquire before release; known as Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins in the Western markets by Activision
Kickboy Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Microsoft Windows
2001 Space Venus Starring Morning Musume PlayStation 2
Visual Mix Ayumi Hamasaki Dome Tour 2001 Avex
2003 Over the Monochrome Rainbow Opera House
Motion Gravure Series: Nemoto Harumi Sony Music Entertainment (Japan)
Motion Gravure Series: Kitagawa Tomomi
Motion Gravure Series: Mori Hiroko
Motion Gravure Series: Megumi
Dice Fantasy Microsoft Windows
2004 wordimagesoundplay Tomato PlayStation 2

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.[27]

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.[28] Published Azure Reflections, a side-scrolling bullet hell developed by Souvenir Circ., on May 15, 2018, for the PS4.[29] Published Touhou Gensou Wanderers Reloaded, a roguelike rpg developed by Aqua Style, for the PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.[30] Published Necrosphere, a platformer developed by Cat Nigiri, for the PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, and PSVita.[30][31] Published Midnight Sanctuary, a VR/3D Novel game developed by CAVYHOUSE, for the PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC.[30][32] Published Tokyo Dark, a visual novel mystery adventure hybrid developed by Cherrymochi, for the PC.[33][30] Published Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers, an arcade racing game developed by Pocket, for the Nintendo Switch on August 30, 2018.[34][30] Scheduled to publish on Last Standard, a 3d action game developed by I From Japan, intended for PC.[35][36] Scheduled to publish The Good Life, a daily-life rpg developed by White Owls Inc., for the PS4 and PC.[37][30] Scheduled to publish Merkava Avalanche, a 3d cavalry warfare action game developed by WinterCrownWorks, for the PC.[38][30] Scheduled to publish Olija, an action adventure game developed by Skeleton Crew Studio, for the PC.[39][30] Scheduled to publish Deemo Reborn, a music rhythm and urban fantasy game developed by Taiwanese studio Rayak, for the PS4 with PSVR support.[36][30] Scheduled to publish Giraffe and Anika, a 3d adventure game developed by Atelier Mimina, for the PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC.[40][30] Scheduled to publish 3rd Eye, a 2d horror exploration game, based on the Touhou franchise, for the PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.[41][30] Scheduled to publish Gensokyo Defenders, a tower-defense game developed by Neetpia, for the PS4 and Nintendo Switch.[42][30] 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).[16][43] 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.[43] The market share at that time was less than 18%.[43] 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.[44]

Since then, it was said that SMEJ ceded to Avex's challenge,[45] 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%).[46]

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.[47]

On June 11, 2025, SMEJ, via Sony Music Labels, acquired the rights to the Spookiz series, including its characters from Keyring.[48]

On April 1, 2026, SMEJ and Universal Music Japan launched a joint venture company Nine by Nine, aiming to operating music festivals in Asia.[49]

Group companies

[edit]

Aniplex

[edit]
Aniplex logo since 2003
Main article: Aniplex

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

[edit]
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

[edit]
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

[edit]

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.

MusicRay'n Inc.

[edit]

MusicRay'n Inc. is a talent management agency specializing in voice acting and music. It focuses on the discovery and development of Seiyū.

Labels and sublabels

[edit]

Active

[edit]
  • Sony Music Labels
    • Sony Music Records
    • Echoes
    • Epic Records Japan – formerly known as Epic/Sony since 1971
    • Ki/oon Music – launched as Ki/oon Sony Records on April 1, 1992[50]
    • SME Records – founded in 1998 and took over the Japanese anime television series "Pocket Monsters" since 2013.
    • Sony Music Associated Records – given this name in 2001.[51][52]
    • Ariola Japan – formerly known as BMG Japan until October 2009.[53]
    • 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.


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.[54] (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.[54]
  • 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[50]
    • Haunted Records
    • Ki/oon Records2
    • Neosite
    • Siren Song – formerly private label of X Japan[50]
    • Trefort[50]
  • Former Aniplex subsidiaries (on behalf of Crunchyroll LLC (with Sony Pictures))
  • Quatro A

Other services

[edit]
  • Antinos Management America Inc. – Overseas marketing and promotion of SMEJ artists[55]
  • 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.[56] Has collaborated with SMEJ artists, most notably Yoasobi, which was initially formed to create music based on selected stories on the site.[57][56]
  • Sony Creative Products – Character & Franchise licensing/distribution in the Japanese market, usually working with overseas characters, such as the Peanuts franchise[a] and Pingu.
  • Zepp Hall Network Inc. – Operates 11 concert halls in Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia

Notable artists

[edit]

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]

Other people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Key rivals

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ SCP held the licensing rights of Peanuts in Japan since 2010. Later in 2018, SMEJ bought 39% of DHX Media's stake in Peanuts Worldwide LLC.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ "Sony History Chapter 18 The Strong-Willed Schein". Sony Group Portal. Archived from the original on November 19, 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c Sony Music Entertainment Japan – History Archived December 25, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved September 15, 2010
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ CBS/Sony Records is Established in First Round of Capital Deregulation. Sony History. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  7. ^ Press release: Chairman of the Board Norio Ohga Retires as Director of Sony Corporation. Sony Corporation, January 28, 2003. Retrieved September 15, 2010
  8. ^ John Nathan: Sony. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2001, ISBN 0-618-12694-5. Pages 146–147.
  9. ^ John Nathan: Sony. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2001, ISBN 0-618-12694-5. Page 147.
  10. ^ The Joy of Creating Something New. Sony History. Accessed September 17, 2010.
  11. ^ The Acquisition of CBS Records and Columbia Pictures. Sony History. Accessed September 27, 2010.
  12. ^ CBS/Sony to Take Over 4 Subsidiaries. Jiji Press Ticker Service, February 12, 1988
  13. ^ "Stones help sink Sony Music's Tokyo debut". Business Times (Singapore). Reuters. November 25, 1991.
  14. ^ a b Steve McClure: Sony Music Names Matsuo to Head Label in Japan In: Billboard, February 8, 1992. Page 4.
  15. ^ Attorneys Launch Entertainment-Focused Firm In: Los Angeles Times, May 3, 1996. Accessed September 17, 2010.
  16. ^ a b Steve McClure: "CEO Maruyama Steps Up as New SMEJ President". In Billboard, February 28, 1998.
  17. ^ "Sony Music Entertainment Japan pays $185m to buy 39% in Snoopy cartoon company Peanuts – Music Business Worldwide". May 14, 2018.
  18. ^ "聖飢魔II 悪魔の逆襲！ (FC)の関連情報 | ゲーム・エンタメ最新情報のファミ通.com". ファミ通.com. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  19. ^ "ASCII 年月号". December 1983. p. 12.
  20. ^ "The Video Game Update". Computer Entertainer. January 1989. p. 8.
  21. ^ CSG Imagesoft Enters U.S. Home Video Game Market. PR Newswire, Los Angeles, September 6, 1989
  22. ^ "Sony's micro movie tie-in". New Computer Express. March 16, 1991. p. 2.
  23. ^ "Sony to Intro 32-Bit System!". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 53. EGM Media. December 1993. p. 68.
  24. ^ Staff, I. G. N. (April 3, 1998). "Sony Caught in Bed with Activision". IGN. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  25. ^ "wordimagesoundplay – Hardcore Gaming 101". Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  26. ^ Staff, I. G. N. (November 3, 2000). "Activision Makes PS2 Tenchu Official". IGN. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  27. ^ Phillips, Tom (October 17, 2017). "Sony to release indie game on Nintendo Switch". Eurogamer. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  28. ^ "A new Sony label's publishing a Nintendo Switch game". Polygon. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  29. ^ "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.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ "Cat Nigiri". Catnigiri.com. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  32. ^ "The Midnight Sanctuary: Guide Side -Home-". Carpefulgur.com. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  33. ^ "Cherrymochi". Tokyodark.com. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  34. ^ "Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers". Metacritic. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  35. ^ "I From Japan". I From Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  36. ^ a b "UNTIES Games for everyone". UNTIES Games for everyone. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  37. ^ "The Good Life". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  38. ^ "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.
  39. ^ "Skeleton Crew Studio – Work". Skeleton Crew Studio. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  40. ^ "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.
  41. ^ "3rd eye". 3rdeye.sai-chan.com. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  42. ^ "Gensokyo Defenders". Neetpia.sakura.ne.jp. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  43. ^ a b c Steve McClure: SMEJ's Other Announcements, "Komuro's Sony Deal Won't Hurt Avex Relations" – Maruyama. In: Billboard, February 28, 1998.
  44. ^ Virgin's Dreams Come True. In: Billboard, August 20, 1997.
  45. ^ Kana Nishino | CNN Travel. Cnngo.com (December 11, 2009). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
  46. ^ "Avex tops total sales ranking for the first half of 2012". Oricon. July 20, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  47. ^ "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.co.jp (in Japanese). May 31, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  48. ^ Dalugdug, Mandy (June 15, 2025). "SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN ACQUIRES 'FULL RIGHTS' TO SPOOKIZ ANIMATION FRANCHISE". Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  49. ^ "SMEとユニバーサルミュージック、アジアでの音楽フェスティバル事業を目的とした合弁会社「NINE BY NINE」設立". Musicman.co.jp (in Japanese). April 2, 2026. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
  50. ^ a b c d International – Newsline. In: Billboard, April 25, 1992. Page 36
  51. ^ Stevens. Japanese Popular Music: Culture, Authenticity and Power. Routledge. 2008. p 156.
  52. ^ 沿革. Sony Music Group.
  53. ^ History | Company Information | Sony Music Group Corporate Site. Sme.co.jp. Retrieved on February 14, 2019.
  54. ^ a b Steve McClure: Sony Bows Two Japan Subsids. In: Billboard, October 15, 1994. Page 53.
  55. ^ "Nadeshiko Nakahara". Project Anime. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  56. ^ 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.
  57. ^ Japan, Billboard (July 1, 2020). "Rising J-Pop Duo YOASOBI Reveal Influences From Anime to Folk: Interview". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  58. ^ 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.
  59. ^ "Avex Group". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 9. Nielsen Business Media. February 28, 1998. p. 85. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
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