2015–2022: New business model, push for streaming and worldwide distribution
In December 2015, Fujikura announced that Universal Japan "is a new business" and that the company would adopt a new business model to strengthen business.[10] These changes were effective as of January 1, 2016.[10] A new label, Universal-W was established in December 2015 with Japanese company Warlock.[11]
In August 2016, Radwimps released the soundtrack for the 2016 Japanese animated film Your Name. The album was a commercial success in Japan and in a rare feat, charted in the United States in 2017.[12] In December of the same year, Universal Japan acquired, a music management agency (founded in 1992), and made it a fully owned subsidiary; as a result, the latter's "Augusta Records" label became an affiliated label of Universal Japan.[1]
In 2017, the company announced it would relocate from Minato, Tokyo to the Jingumae Tower Building in Shibuya, Tokyo. The relocation took place from September 15, 2018, to October 9.[13][14] In December 2017, Universal Japan announced they suspended the contract of Hilcrhyme member DJ Katsu following his arrest of possession of marijuana. He subsequently left the group following his arrest and the group lost their recording contract.[15]
In June 2018, Universal Japan announced an exclusive license agreement with Disney Music Group.[16]
In 2019, Universal Japan suspended the sales of Junnosuke Taguchi's discography and removed his releases from digital stores following his arrest of possession of marijuana.[17]
In 2020, Universal Japan updated their corporate logo to match the same logo used by the main Universal Music Group company.[18] In that same year, Universal launched the Virgin Music Label and Artist Services.[19] The service was launched in many Universal subsidiaries, including Universal Japan.
In 2021, Yoshimoto Music signed a distribution deal with Universal Japan for future releases. In July 2021, CEO and president Fujikura was listed on Billboard's International Power Players list.[20] In an interview with Billboard Japan, Fujikura shared about his measures on increasing streaming revenue and strategies to have Universal Japan artists chart overseas.[21] Universal Japan has since released previous releases of former and current artists under their labels worldwide digitally, including Hikaru Utada, Crystal Kay, Radwimps, Mrs. Green Apple, Che'Nelle and Ai.
