Japan is the world’s second-largest recorded music market, behind the United States.<\/p>\n
A-Sketch was founded in 2008, as a subsidiary of Amuse<\/strong>, one of Japan\u2019s largest artist management companies, in partnership with prominent Japanese telecommunications company KDDI<\/strong>.<\/p>\n UMG noted on Friday (February 14) that since its founding, A-Sketch has “successfully signed and developed artists across a variety of genres including rock, J-pop and Anime-music”.<\/p>\n The A-Sketch catalog includes classic releases from ONE OK ROCK among others.<\/p>\n A-Sketch is also home to MASH A&R<\/strong>, one of Japan\u2019s top rock management companies, which manages artists including The Oral Cigarettes, FREDERIC and Saucy Dog.<\/p>\n Under the terms of the agreement, Universal Music Japan will acquire the stake in A-Sketch currently owned by Amuse<\/strong>, effective immediately.<\/p>\n A-Sketch will operate as a label division within Universal Music Japan<\/strong>, under the continued leadership of Nobuyuki Soma<\/strong>, Representative Director and President, A-Sketch, who will report to Universal Music Japan\u2019s President & CEO, Naoshi Fujikura.<\/strong><\/p>\n UMG said that the acquisition will further bolster Universal Music Japan\u2019s in-house artist management capabilities and “expand its ability to drive new creative and commercial opportunities for its artists, including launching compelling and innovative experiences for Japanese music fans both domestically, and globally”.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is our pleasure to welcome A-Sketch, the home of many unique and talented artists, to Universal Music Japan.”<\/p>\n Naoshi Fujikura, Universal Music Japan<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n In making the announcement, Naoshi Fujikura, President and CEO of Universal Music Japan, said: \u201cIt is our pleasure to welcome A-Sketch, the home of many unique and talented artists, to Universal Music Japan.<\/p>\n “We look forward to enhancing the value of these artists and delivering their talents to an even wider audience through our extensive global network and passion both domestically and internationally.”<\/p>\n \u201cWe are very excited to announce that A-Sketch will be joining Universal Music Group, the global leader in the industry.”<\/p>\n Nobuyuki Soma, A-Sketch\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Nobuyuki Soma, Representative Director and President, A-Sketch, added: \u201cWe are very excited to announce that A-Sketch will be joining Universal Music Group, the global leader in the industry.<\/p>\n “This partnership will provide our artists with significant opportunities for international expansion, and we look forward to finding new synergies across all of our creative endeavors.\u201d<\/p>\n At the start of the month, Universal Music Group Chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge noted<\/a> in his New Year note to UMG staff that in 2025, the company “will continue to aggressively grow [its] presence in high potential markets through organic A&R, artist and label services agreements, and M&A”.<\/p>\n Other M&A deals struck by UMG in recent months include\u00a0the acquisition<\/a> of the remaining\u00a051%<\/strong>\u00a0of shares from\u00a0[PIAS]<\/strong>\u00a0co-founders\u00a0Kenny Gates<\/a>\u00a0and Michel Lambot, for an undisclosed fee.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.musicbusinessworldwide.com\/files\/2025\/02\/Naoshi-Fujikura-Headshot-80x120.jpg)
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