Forest Digital Inc. Appoints Manabu Yamada, Former DAZN Japan EVP and Sports Navi CEO, as Executive Vice President for Contents & Partnerships
Forest Digital Inc., developer of the immersive viewing platform "uralaa," has appointed Manabu Yamada, former EVP of DAZN Japan and CEO of Sports Navi, as Executive Vice President for Contents & Partnerships. Yamada will lead content and partnership strategies to accelerate the company's business expansion in the sports and entertainment sectors.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 01:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 17:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 17:26 (24 min after Collected)
Forest Digital Inc. (Headquarters: Urahoro-cho, Tokachi, Hokkaido; Representative Director & CEO: Yuji Tsujiki; hereinafter "the Company"), which develops and operates the immersive viewing platform "uralaa," is pleased to announce that Manabu Yamada, who has over 20 years of business and management experience in the sports x digital content domain, has been appointed as Executive Vice President for Contents & Partnerships (hereinafter, "EVP for Contents & Partnerships").
Manabu Yamada EVP (left) and Yuji Tsujiki CEO (right)
Mr. Yamada has previously served as CEO of Sports Navi and Executive Vice President of DAZN Japan, leading the launch and growth of sports video distribution businesses in Japan and driving strategic partnerships with domestic and international content holders and major corporations.
He joined the Company as an Advisor in 2024, promoting business development and alliance strategies primarily in the sports domain. To further accelerate business expansion, he has now officially been appointed as EVP for Contents & Partnerships.
Background of Appointment
The Company's "uralaa" platform is an immersive viewing platform that offers a new experience of "being enveloped in what you love," focusing on sports, music, and entertainment.
It provides an overwhelming sense of immersion that could not be achieved with conventional video viewing, utilizing 360-degree live streaming, multi-surface/immersive projection, and simultaneous multi-location connections. It delivers a sense of "being there" even to those who cannot attend stadiums or live venues.
Particularly in the sports and entertainment sectors, significant market opportunities are emerging, such as the demand for away game viewing, regional fan communities, and the expanding next-generation public viewing market, inspired by examples like COSM and Sphere in the US.
With Mr. Yamada's participation, the Company aims to strengthen collaboration with leagues, clubs, broadcasters, distributors, and sponsors, and establish a new market position: "Immersive Viewing is uralaa."
Comment from Manabu Yamada, EVP for Contents & Partnerships
The value of sports is not merely "watching" but "sharing the passion."
What uralaa aims to achieve is precisely that next-generation sports experience. It's about delivering the entire space, not just video. This holds possibilities entirely different from previous distribution services.
I feel great potential in creating this new viewing culture originating from Japan. I want to create a new industry by connecting sports, entertainment, and local communities.
Comment from Yuji Tsujiki, Representative Director & CEO
Sports and live viewing are shifting from "watching" to "being there." This change has already begun globally.
To implement this enveloping emotional experience in Japanese society, we need trusted relationships with content holders, deep knowledge of distribution businesses, and the power to realize grand visions.
Mr. Yamada is a rare individual who possesses all of these qualities.
We are greatly encouraged to be able to create this new norm, "Immersive Viewing is uralaa," together.
Manabu Yamada Profile
Over 20 years of business and management experience in the sports x digital content domain.
Served as CEO of Sports Navi and EVP of DAZN Japan, leading the launch and growth of video distribution businesses and building partnerships with domestic and international content holders.
Joined the Company as an Advisor in 2024, and appointed Executive Vice President for Contents & Partnerships in 2026.
uralaa Immersive Viewing (Sports & Entertainment) Initiatives
[Sports] Osaka/Kansai Expo "DAZN Immersive LIVE Viewing by uralaa" (Oct 2025)
In collaboration with sports channel "DAZN," a J1 League match between Kashima Antlers and Gamba Osaka, held at Mercari Stadium in Ibaraki Prefecture, was live-streamed to a special booth at the Osaka/Kansai Expo venue.
https://forestdigital.org/work/20251005_1/
[Fireworks Festival] "immersive LIVE 73rd Kachimai Fireworks Festival Special Screening" (Aug 2025)
The historic and traditional Hokkaido's largest fireworks festival, "Kachimai Fireworks Festival," was live-streamed from the fireworks venue in Tokachi/Obihiro to Shirokane, Tokyo. https://forestdigital.org/work/20250813_1/
[Music] J-WAVE "TOKIO H
Manabu Yamada EVP (left) and Yuji Tsujiki CEO (right)
Mr. Yamada has previously served as CEO of Sports Navi and Executive Vice President of DAZN Japan, leading the launch and growth of sports video distribution businesses in Japan and driving strategic partnerships with domestic and international content holders and major corporations.
He joined the Company as an Advisor in 2024, promoting business development and alliance strategies primarily in the sports domain. To further accelerate business expansion, he has now officially been appointed as EVP for Contents & Partnerships.
Background of Appointment
The Company's "uralaa" platform is an immersive viewing platform that offers a new experience of "being enveloped in what you love," focusing on sports, music, and entertainment.
It provides an overwhelming sense of immersion that could not be achieved with conventional video viewing, utilizing 360-degree live streaming, multi-surface/immersive projection, and simultaneous multi-location connections. It delivers a sense of "being there" even to those who cannot attend stadiums or live venues.
Particularly in the sports and entertainment sectors, significant market opportunities are emerging, such as the demand for away game viewing, regional fan communities, and the expanding next-generation public viewing market, inspired by examples like COSM and Sphere in the US.
With Mr. Yamada's participation, the Company aims to strengthen collaboration with leagues, clubs, broadcasters, distributors, and sponsors, and establish a new market position: "Immersive Viewing is uralaa."
Comment from Manabu Yamada, EVP for Contents & Partnerships
The value of sports is not merely "watching" but "sharing the passion."
What uralaa aims to achieve is precisely that next-generation sports experience. It's about delivering the entire space, not just video. This holds possibilities entirely different from previous distribution services.
I feel great potential in creating this new viewing culture originating from Japan. I want to create a new industry by connecting sports, entertainment, and local communities.
Comment from Yuji Tsujiki, Representative Director & CEO
Sports and live viewing are shifting from "watching" to "being there." This change has already begun globally.
To implement this enveloping emotional experience in Japanese society, we need trusted relationships with content holders, deep knowledge of distribution businesses, and the power to realize grand visions.
Mr. Yamada is a rare individual who possesses all of these qualities.
We are greatly encouraged to be able to create this new norm, "Immersive Viewing is uralaa," together.
Manabu Yamada Profile
Over 20 years of business and management experience in the sports x digital content domain.
Served as CEO of Sports Navi and EVP of DAZN Japan, leading the launch and growth of video distribution businesses and building partnerships with domestic and international content holders.
Joined the Company as an Advisor in 2024, and appointed Executive Vice President for Contents & Partnerships in 2026.
uralaa Immersive Viewing (Sports & Entertainment) Initiatives
[Sports] Osaka/Kansai Expo "DAZN Immersive LIVE Viewing by uralaa" (Oct 2025)
In collaboration with sports channel "DAZN," a J1 League match between Kashima Antlers and Gamba Osaka, held at Mercari Stadium in Ibaraki Prefecture, was live-streamed to a special booth at the Osaka/Kansai Expo venue.
https://forestdigital.org/work/20251005_1/
[Fireworks Festival] "immersive LIVE 73rd Kachimai Fireworks Festival Special Screening" (Aug 2025)
The historic and traditional Hokkaido's largest fireworks festival, "Kachimai Fireworks Festival," was live-streamed from the fireworks venue in Tokachi/Obihiro to Shirokane, Tokyo. https://forestdigital.org/work/20250813_1/
[Music] J-WAVE "TOKIO H