Believe Expands Japanese Footprint With Major Teichiku Entertainment Distribution Deal
Believe, a Paris-based music company, has established a comprehensive distribution agreement with Tokyo's Teichiku Entertainment, marking a significant expansion in the Japanese market.
Protestors with signs at demonstration
Teichiku Entertainment, a 90-year-old label subsidiary of Xing Inc. (owned by Brother), is home to prominent Japanese artists including Sayuri Ishikawa, Cynhn, and Naoki Sanada. Under the new agreement, Believe will handle worldwide distribution for Teichiku's entire catalog.
The partnership aims to achieve two main objectives:
- Expand Teichiku's music catalog beyond Japan
- Accelerate the label's digital transformation in Japan's physical-dominated music market
Teichiku Entertainment's president and CEO Hideki Kurita chose Believe for its global track record and commitment to supporting their international expansion goals. Believe Japan GM Erika Ogawa-Arai emphasized that this digital transformation effort spans across all company levels.
This move follows Believe's recent expansion initiatives in Japan:
- Establishment of Tokyo headquarters (October 2023)
- Launch of Japanese hip-hop imprint Playcode (February 2024)
The Japanese music market remains the world's second-largest, despite a minor recorded-revenue decline last year. Recent industry developments in the region include:
- Warner Music Japan's entry into anime music (December 2024)
- Universal Music's majority acquisition of A-Sketch (February 2025)
- Warner Music/10K's global deal with J-pop act Psychic Fever
- Hybe's Japanese division rebranding as YX Labels
Two recording mics on desk