Universal Music / Sony Music Entertainment Establish Joint Venture for Music Festival Business in Asia
Universal Music and Sony Music Entertainment have jointly established 'NINE BY NINE Inc.' to plan and operate music festivals in the Asian region, aiming to boost the global presence of Japanese music.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 16:47
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 01:57 (489h 9m after Collected)
Universal Music LLC (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Naoshi Fujikura; hereinafter UM) and Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Atsuhiro Iwakami; hereinafter SME) announce the establishment of NINE BY NINE Inc. (hereinafter NINE BY NINE) on April 1, 2026, for the purpose of planning and operating music festival businesses in the Asian region.
Background of Establishment
Currently, Japanese music is attracting more attention than ever around the world, especially in the Asian region, driven by hits originating from Japanese anime and social media, as well as the successful overseas tours of Japanese artists. With inbound tourism aimed at musical experiences also booming, the importance of platforms to broadcast the Japanese music scene to a global audience is increasing significantly.
Against the backdrop of these changing market environments, UM and SME have jointly established the new company, NINE BY NINE. Under this new company, both companies will integrate the expertise, know-how, and networks they have cultivated over many years in the entertainment field to jointly host Japan-originated music festivals in the Asian region.
Outline of New Company
Company Name: NINE BY NINE Inc.
Date of Establishment: April 1, 2026
Location: Jingumae Tower Building, 1-5-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Representatives: Ichiro Tamaki (President and Representative Director), Hidehiko Otani (Executive Vice President and Representative Director)
Business Description
- Planning and production of music festivals in the Asian region
- Support and promotion for the overseas expansion of Japanese artists
Future Outlook
NINE BY NINE is planning music festivals sequentially in major Asian cities and expects to hold its first event in 2027.
By maximizing the resources and global networks of both companies, we will expand the encounters between local fans and Japanese artists through high-quality live experiences and effective promotions, centered in the Asian region, thereby supporting the medium- to long-term success of Japanese music.
Furthermore, to expand the business and strengthen the foundation toward the above outlook, we will proceed to expand alliances with other partner companies.
Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.
Develops diverse businesses as a comprehensive entertainment company. In addition to marketing, tie-ups, discovery and nurturing of artists/talents/creators, and promoting overseas businesses, the company challenges the creation of new entertainment businesses such as digital content business, live entertainment business, music streaming business, and sports entertainment business.
Official Website: https://www.sme.co.jp/
Universal Music LLC
Universal Music Group fosters culture through the power of artistry.
Leading the world in the entertainment field centered on music, the company operates a wide range of businesses including music production, music publishing, merchandising, and video content.
Offering the most comprehensive lineup of musical works covering all genres, the company discovers and develops artists, delivering numerous hit works highly acclaimed worldwide.
Valuing artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurship, the company is committed to developing services, platforms, and new business models to enhance the value of artists and provide new experiences to music fans.
Background of Establishment
Currently, Japanese music is attracting more attention than ever around the world, especially in the Asian region, driven by hits originating from Japanese anime and social media, as well as the successful overseas tours of Japanese artists. With inbound tourism aimed at musical experiences also booming, the importance of platforms to broadcast the Japanese music scene to a global audience is increasing significantly.
Against the backdrop of these changing market environments, UM and SME have jointly established the new company, NINE BY NINE. Under this new company, both companies will integrate the expertise, know-how, and networks they have cultivated over many years in the entertainment field to jointly host Japan-originated music festivals in the Asian region.
Outline of New Company
Company Name: NINE BY NINE Inc.
Date of Establishment: April 1, 2026
Location: Jingumae Tower Building, 1-5-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Representatives: Ichiro Tamaki (President and Representative Director), Hidehiko Otani (Executive Vice President and Representative Director)
Business Description
- Planning and production of music festivals in the Asian region
- Support and promotion for the overseas expansion of Japanese artists
Future Outlook
NINE BY NINE is planning music festivals sequentially in major Asian cities and expects to hold its first event in 2027.
By maximizing the resources and global networks of both companies, we will expand the encounters between local fans and Japanese artists through high-quality live experiences and effective promotions, centered in the Asian region, thereby supporting the medium- to long-term success of Japanese music.
Furthermore, to expand the business and strengthen the foundation toward the above outlook, we will proceed to expand alliances with other partner companies.
Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.
Develops diverse businesses as a comprehensive entertainment company. In addition to marketing, tie-ups, discovery and nurturing of artists/talents/creators, and promoting overseas businesses, the company challenges the creation of new entertainment businesses such as digital content business, live entertainment business, music streaming business, and sports entertainment business.
Official Website: https://www.sme.co.jp/
Universal Music LLC
Universal Music Group fosters culture through the power of artistry.
Leading the world in the entertainment field centered on music, the company operates a wide range of businesses including music production, music publishing, merchandising, and video content.
Offering the most comprehensive lineup of musical works covering all genres, the company discovers and develops artists, delivering numerous hit works highly acclaimed worldwide.
Valuing artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurship, the company is committed to developing services, platforms, and new business models to enhance the value of artists and provide new experiences to music fans.