UNIVERSAL MUSIC JAPAN APPOINTS SHINTARO AKI AS MANAGING DIRECTOR, EMI RECORDS

Experienced A&R executive will lead EMI’s operations in Japan

Tokyo, November 15, 2024 – Universal Music Japan (UMJ), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced the appointment of widely respected industry and A&R executive Shintaro Aki as Managing Director, EMI Records Japan, effective immediately. He will be based in Tokyo and will report to Naoshi Fujikura, President and CEO of Universal Music Japan.

Mr. Aki joins UMJ from Warner Music Japan, where he most recently served as Senior Executive Producer, during which time he produced countless acclaimed artists and albums for the label. Since 2007, he served as A&R for one of Japan’s most popular female solo singers, Superfly, contributing to her domestic chart success, helping her to reach No. 1 on the charts with seven albums. His leadership also helped produced significant success of several of Japan’s most popular artists, including Ulfuls, Ges no Kiwami Otome, Indigo la End, WANIMA and THE YELLOW MONKEY.

In making the announcement, Naoshi Fujikura, President and CEO of Universal Music Japan, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Aki, an executive with an amazing track record for producing hits and developing strong relationships with artists to Universal Music Japan. We look forward to EMI Records, which already has a long history and a broad roster of artists, continuing to shine under Mr. Aki’s new leadership.”

Shintaro Aki commented, “I am very honored to have been appointed Managing Director of EMI Records, a label with a long and distinguished history. The label is home to many wonderful artists, and I will work to develop and grow the label. I look forward to creating a new era with everyone at Universal Music Japan, the artists, and the management team.”

Throughout his two decades at the company, Mr. Aki held a variety of senior positions before being promoted to Executive Officer in 2020, including seven years as head of Creative Room 1 [the label now known as Prescribe], home to some of Japan’s long-career legends and rising stars such as Aimyon, Chanmina, Campanella, Mariya Takeuchi, and Tatsuro Yamashita. He began his career as a Promotion Specialist, successfully collaborating on multiple TV program tie-ins and contributing to major hits from both domestic and international artists.

About Universal Music Group
At Universal Music Group, we exist to shape culture through the power of artistry. UMG is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content. Featuring the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. For more information on Universal Music Group visit www.universalmusic.com

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