Tokyo, Japan – Kako Kuwahara has been appointed the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Nippon Television Music Corporation, the music publishing arm of Japan’s multi-platform entertainment giant, Nippon TV. The appointment, announced on July 14, 2025, signals a strategic move to further bolster the global reach of Nippon TV’s extensive portfolio of music and character intellectual properties.
A Strategic Transition in Leadership
Kuwahara succeeds Akihiro Shimizu, who will transition to a new role as President of Tipness Co. Ltd., a fitness club operator and another subsidiary within the Nippon Television Holdings group. This leadership change at Nippon TV Music places a seasoned executive at the helm, poised to capitalize on the increasing international demand for Japanese entertainment content.
Kuwahara will report directly to Keiichi Sawa, Senior Operating Officer at Nippon TV Holdings, underscoring the significance of Nippon TV Music’s role within the broader corporate strategy.
Kuwahara’s Extensive Industry Experience
Kako Kuwahara brings a wealth of experience to her new position, having served previously as the Head of International Business and Head of Anime Business at Nippon TV. Her tenure in these roles was marked by significant achievements, particularly in expanding Nippon TV’s global footprint in the anime sector.
Driving Global Anime Success
Kuwahara was instrumental in the international success of highly popular anime titles such as The Apothecary Diaries and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Her contributions have been credited with significantly boosting Nippon TV’s presence in the competitive global anime marketplace, demonstrating a keen understanding of international distribution and audience engagement. This background positions her uniquely to lead Nippon TV Music’s efforts in leveraging the musical and character components of these and other successful franchises.
The Role of Nippon TV Music
Established in 1969 and headquartered in Tokyo, Nippon Television Music Corporation plays a pivotal role in the monetization and global dissemination of musical works and character IPs originating from Nippon TV’s vast content library.
Managing a Diverse Portfolio
The company’s operations encompass the management of a wide array of musical works, including scores, theme songs, and soundtracks for globally recognized anime titles. This includes popular series such as Hunter x Hunter, Death Note, The Apothecary Diaries, and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, working in collaboration with sub-publishers worldwide to ensure broad accessibility. Beyond music, Nippon TV Music is actively involved in the international merchandising and game adaptations of major intellectual properties, including Hunter x Hunter and the beloved children’s franchise Anpanman.
Vision for Future Growth
In her new role, Kuwahara is expected to spearhead further international growth and strategic collaborations. She has articulated a clear vision for the future of Nippon TV Music, emphasizing the ambition to elevate the company’s global presence through music produced from Nippon TV’s hit shows.
Kuwahara expressed her commitment to creating music and characters that resonate with audiences worldwide, fostering collaborations with Japan’s talented music creators to achieve this goal. Her appointment signals a reinforced commitment by Nippon TV Holdings to expand its influence across the international entertainment landscape, leveraging the power of music and character IPs.
