Universal Music Japan has acquired a controlling stake in A-Sketch, a 17-year-old music company originally established as a partnership between KDDI and Amuse. The acquisition strengthens Universal's presence in Japan, the world's second-largest music market.

A-Sketch operates as both an artist management firm and record label, representing notable acts including:

• Saucy Dog
• Flumpool
• Ayumu Imazu
• Several virtual acts
• Mandopop star Jay Chou (through a partnership)

Key details of the acquisition:

• A-Sketch's current head, Nobuyuki Soma, will continue leading the company
• Soma will report to Universal Music Japan CEO Naoshi Fujikura
• Financial terms were not disclosed
• Universal acquired the stake previously owned by Amuse

The strategic benefits include:

• Enhanced international expansion opportunities for A-Sketch artists
• Strengthened positioning in Japan's growing streaming market
• Increased presence in Asia's largest music market
• New synergies across creative endeavors

This acquisition follows recent industry moves in Japan, including Warner Music's reorganization of its Japan division and entry into anime music through an NBCUniversal Japan partnership. The Japanese music market continues to show growth potential as streaming adoption increases among its 125 million residents.

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