Tokyo, Japan – Nippon Television Music Corporation, a pivotal music publishing arm within Japan’s leading multi-platform entertainment giant Nippon TV, has announced the appointment of Kako Kuwahara as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. The strategic move, effective immediately, signals a strong push for the global expansion of Japanese anime music and character intellectual properties (IPs).
Kuwahara steps into the role previously held by Akihiro Shimizu, who has transitioned to become President of Tipness Co. Ltd., another subsidiary of Nippon Television Holdings specializing in fitness club operations across Japan. This leadership change underscores Nippon TV’s broader corporate strategy to optimize talent across its diverse portfolio.
A Vision for Global Music and IP Expansion
In her new capacity, Kako Kuwahara is tasked with spearheading further international growth and fostering strategic collaborations for Nippon TV Music. Her appointment is seen as a significant step to strengthen the company’s presence in the global market, particularly in the burgeoning anime sector.
Commenting on her new role, Kuwahara expressed her ambitions: “Anime titles from Nippon TV such as Hunter x Hunter, Death Note, The Apothecary Diaries, and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End are enjoyed by audiences around the world. While Nippon TV is already a global powerhouse in Japanese entertainment, we at Nippon TV Music aim to further elevate our presence through music produced by us on Nippon TV’s hit shows. Together with anime, films, drama series, and variety shows—and in collaboration with Japan’s talented music creators—we aspire to create music and characters that resonate with audiences worldwide.” Her statement highlights a clear focus on leveraging the popularity of Nippon TV’s content to promote associated musical works and character IPs on a global scale.
Kako Kuwahara: A Track Record of International Success
Kako Kuwahara brings a wealth of experience to her new leadership position, particularly in the international and anime business sectors. Prior to this appointment, she served as the Head of International Business and Head of Anime Business at Nippon TV. In these roles, she played a crucial part in the global success of several prominent anime titles, including The Apothecary Diaries and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Her instrumental contributions significantly boosted Nippon TV’s footprint in the global anime marketplace, demonstrating her strategic acumen and deep understanding of international content distribution. She will report to Keiichi Sawa, Senior Operating Officer at Nippon TV Holdings.
Nippon Television Music Corporation: A Pillar of Japanese Entertainment
Established in 1969 and headquartered in Tokyo, Nippon Television Music Corporation operates as the music publishing arm of Nippon TV and a subsidiary of Nippon Television Holdings. The company plays a crucial role in promoting the global reach of music and character IPs associated with Nippon TV’s vast content library.
Nippon TV Music’s operations span two core business areas: music and character IPs.
Music Business
In the music sector, the company is responsible for a wide array of activities that support Nippon TV’s programming and extend its global reach:
- Production and Copyright Management: Nippon TV Music handles the production of master recordings and manages the copyrights for a diverse portfolio of musical works.
- Theme Songs and Soundtracks: The company coordinates the creation and management of scores, theme songs, and soundtracks for a vast range of Nippon TV programs. This includes globally recognized anime titles such as Hunter x Hunter, Death Note, The Apothecary Diaries, and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, working in collaboration with sub-publishers worldwide.
- Artist Development: Nippon TV Music actively supports the development of emerging artists and creators, contributing to the vibrant Japanese music industry.
Character IP Business
Beyond music, Nippon TV Music is also a key player in the management and international expansion of character intellectual properties. This involves overseeing international merchandising and game adaptations for popular franchises. Notable IPs under their management include the globally beloved children’s franchise Anpanman, as well as other major titles like Hunter x Hunter and Lupin the Third. The company is dedicated to delivering the essence and spirit of its works to fans globally through high-quality products and services.
The appointment of Kako Kuwahara as President and CEO marks a new chapter for Nippon TV Music, signaling an intensified focus on expanding its global footprint and leveraging the immense popularity of Japanese content to create resonant music and characters worldwide.
