'Complex' Japan Edition Launches, Yuki Abe Appointed as Editor-in-Chief
US youth culture media giant Complex is launching its Japan edition. Yuki Abe, former EIC of Hypebeast Japan, takes the helm, rolling out platforms and events starting June 2026.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 19:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 16:35
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 20:16 (147h 40m after Collected)
Seeds of Time Co., Ltd. announces that it has entered into a business outsourcing agreement with TWIN PEAKS TOKYO Co., Ltd., and Yuki Abe has been appointed as the Editor-in-Chief of "Complex Japan." TWIN PEAKS TOKYO has established a partnership with "Complex" in Japan and will sequentially roll out the "Complex Japan" website, social media, video/audio content, events, and merchandise starting in June 2026.
Photo by Ko Tsuchiya
"Complex" is a US-based media and entertainment company and a highly influential global brand that intersects music, fashion, sneakers, and pop culture. For over 23 years, "Complex" has been a guiding force in youth culture. By uniquely blending content, commerce, and experiential culture, it continuously delivers the world's most influential creators, stories, and their defining moments to the next generation.
Comment from Kohei Yamazoe, Representative Director and CEO of TWIN PEAKS TOKYO Co., Ltd.:
"In bringing Complex to Japan, selecting the Editor-in-Chief was our most critical decision. Mr. Abe not only possesses a wealth of experience cultivated on the front lines of media over many years, but also an outstanding sensibility to capture subtle shifts in culture. We are convinced that his deep knowledge and global perspective are essential to accurately and excitingly localize Complex's DNA in the Japanese market, which is why we asked him to take on this role. We look forward to delivering a new shockwave to the Japanese creative scene together with the team led by Editor-in-Chief Abe."
Comment from Yuki Abe:
"Complex is a one-of-a-kind platform that goes beyond media activities to create culture itself. I am honored to join the Complex team on the monumental occasion of its landing in Japan. While leveraging the experience and networks I cultivated in my previous roles, I will drive the proper localization of the Complex brand. It probably goes without saying, but Japan is home to a wide range of world-leading content, including fashion, sneakers, art, and manga/anime. In such a Japan, I will do my utmost to elevate Complex's presence, link up with the local scene, and contribute to the further development of Japanese culture."
Yuki Abe Profile
A fashion/culture editor who combines the sensibilities of a former hip-hop artist with the discerning eye of an editor. He led the Japanese launch of the US fashion media "UpscaleHype" and simultaneously wrote fashion columns about players on the official "NBA Japan" website. He joined "Hypebeast Japan" prior to its incorporation in 2018, and served as its Managing Editor/Editor-in-Chief from 2019 to 2024.
Individuals he has covered or interviewed to date encompass a wide range of figures from global designers to artists and athletes, including Jay-Z, Kaws, Rick Owens, Demna, Jennie, Futura, Takashi Murakami, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Chitose Abe, Jun Takahashi, Shinsuke Takizawa, Tomoya Nagase, Rui Hachimura, Yuki Chiba, Jerry Lorenzo, Matthieu Blazy, Ronnie Fieg, Mike Amiri, Luke Meier, and Anderson .Paak (in no particular order).
He is also known for his YouTube and Instagram video series featuring guests such as Kunichi Nomura and Motofumi "Poggy" Kogi. He went independent in 2024 and established his own company. To date, he has been involved as an advisor and in projects for a wide range of domestic and international companies, including LDH, AMBUSH®, and Avex USA.
About Complex
"Complex" is the world's premier media platform leading youth culture and music lifestyle. It seamlessly integrates cutting-edge content, commerce, and live experiences on an overwhelmingly unparalleled scale. Through multidimensional channels such as video, long-form articles, and social media, it delivers the forefront of street culture.
Photo by Ko Tsuchiya
"Complex" is a US-based media and entertainment company and a highly influential global brand that intersects music, fashion, sneakers, and pop culture. For over 23 years, "Complex" has been a guiding force in youth culture. By uniquely blending content, commerce, and experiential culture, it continuously delivers the world's most influential creators, stories, and their defining moments to the next generation.
Comment from Kohei Yamazoe, Representative Director and CEO of TWIN PEAKS TOKYO Co., Ltd.:
"In bringing Complex to Japan, selecting the Editor-in-Chief was our most critical decision. Mr. Abe not only possesses a wealth of experience cultivated on the front lines of media over many years, but also an outstanding sensibility to capture subtle shifts in culture. We are convinced that his deep knowledge and global perspective are essential to accurately and excitingly localize Complex's DNA in the Japanese market, which is why we asked him to take on this role. We look forward to delivering a new shockwave to the Japanese creative scene together with the team led by Editor-in-Chief Abe."
Comment from Yuki Abe:
"Complex is a one-of-a-kind platform that goes beyond media activities to create culture itself. I am honored to join the Complex team on the monumental occasion of its landing in Japan. While leveraging the experience and networks I cultivated in my previous roles, I will drive the proper localization of the Complex brand. It probably goes without saying, but Japan is home to a wide range of world-leading content, including fashion, sneakers, art, and manga/anime. In such a Japan, I will do my utmost to elevate Complex's presence, link up with the local scene, and contribute to the further development of Japanese culture."
Yuki Abe Profile
A fashion/culture editor who combines the sensibilities of a former hip-hop artist with the discerning eye of an editor. He led the Japanese launch of the US fashion media "UpscaleHype" and simultaneously wrote fashion columns about players on the official "NBA Japan" website. He joined "Hypebeast Japan" prior to its incorporation in 2018, and served as its Managing Editor/Editor-in-Chief from 2019 to 2024.
Individuals he has covered or interviewed to date encompass a wide range of figures from global designers to artists and athletes, including Jay-Z, Kaws, Rick Owens, Demna, Jennie, Futura, Takashi Murakami, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Chitose Abe, Jun Takahashi, Shinsuke Takizawa, Tomoya Nagase, Rui Hachimura, Yuki Chiba, Jerry Lorenzo, Matthieu Blazy, Ronnie Fieg, Mike Amiri, Luke Meier, and Anderson .Paak (in no particular order).
He is also known for his YouTube and Instagram video series featuring guests such as Kunichi Nomura and Motofumi "Poggy" Kogi. He went independent in 2024 and established his own company. To date, he has been involved as an advisor and in projects for a wide range of domestic and international companies, including LDH, AMBUSH®, and Avex USA.
About Complex
"Complex" is the world's premier media platform leading youth culture and music lifestyle. It seamlessly integrates cutting-edge content, commerce, and live experiences on an overwhelmingly unparalleled scale. Through multidimensional channels such as video, long-form articles, and social media, it delivers the forefront of street culture.