Pony Canyon Releases Latest Sustainability Initiatives [Spring 2026]

Pony Canyon Inc. (President and CEO: Kazunari Okuma), by leveraging its capabilities in entertainment planning, production, and distribution, is advancing initiatives aimed at realizing a sustainable society, extending beyond the creation of IP to include regional revitalization, cultural heritage preservation, and educational support.

Since our founding in 1966, we have utilized the knowledge and networks cultivated through a wide range of businesses—including music, video, publishing, and events—to develop regional collaboration projects that broadcast and proliferate the appeal of regional resources.

Here are some of the key initiatives implemented from December 2025 to February 2026.

Promoting Tourism Through History and Culture: Participation in "Oshiro EXPO"
We participated in the "Oshiro EXPO," one of Japan's largest castle-themed events held at Pacifico Yokohama. Our affiliated historian, Yu Hirayama, and history-focused YouTuber, Mr. Bushido, were both fully active. Marking its 10th anniversary milestone, the event saw a record-breaking 23,017 visitors. With the 2026 NHK Taiga Drama "Toyotomi Kyodai!"—which is set in the Sengoku period—approaching its broadcast, numerous local governments and related organizations from across the country participated, utilizing exhibits and lectures to showcase the charm of their respective regions. Creating contact points with visitors who have a high interest in history and culture has led to opportunities for expanding tourism promotion and cultural outreach for each region.

Regional Collaboration Through Education and Culture: Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture Promotion
Building on the opportunity presented by the 2026 Taiga Drama "Toyotomi Kyodai!," we are developing regional promotions in partnership with Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture. This includes the production of a supplementary reader supervised by historian Yu Hirayama and the hosting of talk events for citizens. The events attracted approximately 800 people, creating an opportunity to deepen understanding of local history. This initiative combines education, culture, and regional cooperation, aiming not just to attract tourism, but also to foster "civic pride" that nurtures an understanding of and pride in one's local roots.

Broadcasting Regional Brands via Digital Distribution: Collaborative Project with Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture
In collaboration with Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture, we broadcast a "Chu-shogi (Middle Shogi) Showdown" between the Mayor of Takatsuki and the Mayor of Shimamoto Town on Niconico Live. Held as part of the city's efforts to strengthen its brand as a "City of Shogi," the event featured appearances and commentary by prominent celebrities and professional shogi players. The live stream reached over 105,000 viewers with more than 3,000 comments, serving as an opportunity to disseminate local topics to a wide area.

Encouraging Regional Exploration by Linking IP and Tourism: "18TRIP" x Yokohama City Collaboration Campaign
To coincide with the live event for the app game "18TRIP" held at Pacifico Yokohama, we conducted an "18TRIP" x Yokohama City collaboration campaign in partnership with Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, the setting of the game. The campaign featured a digital stamp rally traversing four wards of the city and various photo spots. By offering a tourism experience linked to the world of the work, we encouraged fans to visit areas they had never visited before, leading to the promotion of exploration within the city and the rediscovery of regional appeal.

Pony Canyon will continue to leverage our content planning, production, and distribution capabilities to work on cultural preservation and regional revitalization through partnerships with local communities, while contributing to the realization of a sustainable society through the power of entertainment.