Yoshimoto Kogyo

Yoshimoto Kogyo is a Japanese entertainment conglomerate whose history is closely associated with Osaka popular culture and the development of modern Japanese comedy. The business began on April 1, 1912, when Kichibei Yoshimoto and his wife, Sei Yoshimoto, purchased Osaka's Second Arts Building. The Yoshimotos subsequently established Yoshimoto Kogyo-bu in Shinsaibashi in January 1913, creating the foundation for a company that would combine theater ownership, talent management, performance promotion, and media production. The company expanded beyond Osaka during the 1920s, purchasing theater establishments in Tokyo and Yokohama. In 1932, Yoshimoto Kogyo-bu adopted the name Yoshimoto Kogyo and established a second headquarters in Tokyo. Its film department followed in 1933. Yoshimoto played an important role in the postwar development and popularization of manzai, the Japanese double-act comedy form, and became one of the country's most important organizations for discovering, training, representing, and promoting comedians. Its business has historically rested on a network model: the company operates or promotes stages, signs performers, produces entertainment content, and connects talent with television, film, radio, music, advertising, and live events. Although comedy remains its defining specialty, the company has also represented or worked with recording artists, actors, athletes, singers, producers, and other entertainers. Its theater portfolio has included Nanba Grand Kagetsu in Osaka, Lumine the Yoshimoto in Tokyo, Yoshimoto Mugendai Hall, 5up Yoshimoto, and the NMB48 Theater. The company has also operated media assets such as the Osaka community radio station YES-fm and the BS Yoshimoto television channel. Yoshimoto's historical expansion included theater caravans, film activity, comedy troupes, training programs, and entertainment facilities. It established Yoshimoto Shinkigeki in 1959, helping institutionalize a regular comedy-theater format, and founded Yoshimoto New Star Creation in 1982 as a talent-development initiative. It later experimented with broader entertainment and international business partnerships, including a 2005 strategic alliance involving Faith, Fandango, and Intel Japan and the creation of Bellrock Media in the United States. In 2009, it formed a partnership with Creative Artists Agency. The company became a holding-company structure on October 1, 2007. It had previously traded on the Osaka Securities Exchange from 1949 and the Tokyo Stock Exchange from 1961, but ceased trading on all stock exchanges on February 24, 2010. In the 2010s, Yoshimoto continued to be identified with Japan's owarai entertainment sector while broadening its activities into venues, broadcasting, digital distribution, and large-scale talent and content businesses. Yoshimoto has also faced governance and reputational challenges. In 2019, comedians associated with the company acknowledged receiving money and attending parties connected to organized crime groups in 2014. The episode resulted in suspensions, the dismissal of an intermediary, public criticism of the company's handling of the matter, and apologies and pay reductions by senior management. Despite the controversy, suspended performers later resumed activities. The company's enduring identity remains that of a major Japanese entertainment house built around comedians, live performance, and the commercial distribution of popular culture. Yoshimoto Kogyo Holdings is a Japanese entertainment conglomerate whose identity is closely associated with owarai, the broad Japanese field of popular comedy. The company traces its origins to Osaka in 1912, when Kichibei Yoshimoto and his wife, Sei Yoshimoto, acquired a theater building. A dedicated operating company, Yoshimoto Kogyo-bu, was established in 1913 in the Shinsaibashi district. From this theater-centered beginning, the business developed into a large entertainment network spanning talent representation, comedy production, live venues, broadcasting, film-related activities, music, and other forms of popular culture. The company’s historical influence is particularly strong in manzai, a rapid-fire Japanese comedy form usually performed by a two-person act. Yoshimoto helped institutionalize and popularize manzai through its theaters, performers, touring programs, and later broadcasting relationships. Its business model has generally combined the discovery and management of performers with the creation, promotion, and distribution of the shows in which they appear. This integrated structure enabled Yoshimoto to build a recognizable pipeline from emerging comedians and theatrical stages to television, radio, film, advertising, and national celebrity. Yoshimoto expanded beyond Osaka during the twentieth century. It acquired or operated theaters in Tokyo and Yokohama, created a Tokyo base, established a film department in 1933, and developed a broad network of performance properties. Wartime destruction damaged or destroyed several venues, while the company’s Tokyo operations were separated into another corporate entity after the Second World War. In the postwar period, Yoshimoto contributed to the revival and modernization of popular comedy, opening or supporting important venues and creating the Yoshimoto Shinkigeki comedy troupe in 1959. Later facilities included Namba Grand Kagetsu in Osaka, Lumine the Yoshimoto in Tokyo, and Yoshimoto Mugendai Hall in Shibuya. The organization also became a public company, beginning trading on the Osaka Securities Exchange in 1949 and on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1961. In 2007, it reorganized as a holding company, creating the corporate structure associated with Yoshimoto Kogyo Holdings. The company subsequently pursued alliances and international initiatives, including a partnership involving Faith, Fandango, and Intel Japan that created Bellrock Media in the United States, as well as a 2009 relationship with Creative Artists Agency. Its shares ceased trading on Japanese exchanges in 2010. Although comedy remains the group’s most distinctive activity, the business has broadened its roster and operations to include musicians, actors, singers, producers, athletes, and other public figures. Its assets and affiliated activities have included live stages, broadcasting, radio, television channels, and entertainment-related real estate. The company has also operated or been associated with venues and projects designed to make comedy a destination experience, including a comedy attraction in Hokkaido. In contemporary Japanese entertainment, Yoshimoto is best understood not simply as a talent agency but as a vertically integrated comedy and media ecosystem combining performers, content creation, venues, and distribution. The company reorganized as a holding company on October 1, 2007. It had traded on the Osaka Securities Exchange since 1949 and the Tokyo Stock Exchange since 1961, but stopped trading on all stock exchanges on February 24, 2010. During the 2010s, Yoshimoto remained closely tied to Japan's comedy entertainment industry while extending its activities into venues, broadcasting, digital distribution, and large-scale talent and content businesses. Yoshimoto has also faced governance and reputational challenges. In 2019, comedians associated with the company admitted accepting money and attending parties connected with organized crime groups in 2014. The episode led to suspensions, the dismissal of an intermediary, public criticism of the company's handling of the matter, and apologies and pay reductions by senior management. The suspended performers later returned to activity. The company's enduring identity remains that of a leading Japanese entertainment house centered on comedians, live performance, and the commercial circulation of popular culture.

Yoshimoto Kogyo's origins lie in the commercial theater culture of early twentieth-century Osaka. On April 1, 1912, Kichibei Yoshimoto and Sei Yoshimoto acquired the Second Arts Building in Osaka. They established Yoshimoto Kogyo-bu in Shinsaibashi in January 1913, creating an entertainment business that would eventually combine venue ownership, theatrical programming, artist representation, and content production. During the 1920s, the company expanded its physical network outside Osaka by acquiring theaters in Tokyo and Yokohama. On March 1, 1932, Yoshimoto Kogyo-bu was renamed Yoshimoto Kogyo, and the company established a second headquarters in Tokyo. It created a film department in 1933. That same period is associated with Yoshimoto's influence on the presentation and terminology of manzai, which later became one of the central forms of Japanese popular comedy. The company also developed a nationwide reach during the wartime period. In 1941, it collaborated with state-related organizations to establish the Yoshimoto Theatre Caravan, which toured across Japan. The company suffered major wartime losses: Tsutenkaku, a landmark tower owned by Yoshimoto, was severely damaged by fire in February 1943 and was dismantled rather than rebuilt, while several Tokyo theaters were destroyed or badly damaged during the March 1945 bombing of Tokyo. In October 1946, the Tokyo headquarters separated to form Yoshimoto Kabushiki Gaisha. That entity later helped establish Oizumi Eiko, which became part of the corporate lineage leading to Toei Company. Postwar reconstruction brought renewed emphasis on comedy and theater. Yoshimoto began trading on the Osaka Securities Exchange in 1949 and on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1961. It opened or operated important venues including Kyoto Kagetsu Theater and Namba Kagetsu Theater. In 1959, it established Yoshimoto Shinkigeki, a dedicated comedy theater troupe and performance format that reinforced its role in Japan's developing owarai industry. Yoshimoto New Star Creation, established in Osaka in 1982, added a formal talent-development dimension. A second Tokyo headquarters was established in 1995. From the late twentieth century onward, Yoshimoto's activities extended beyond theater into television, film, radio, music, celebrity representation, and entertainment facilities. Its roster and business relationships expanded from comedians to singers, actors, athletes, producers, and other performers. The company operated recognizable venues in Osaka and Tokyo, including Nanba Grand Kagetsu, Lumine the Yoshimoto, Yoshimoto Mugendai Hall, 5up Yoshimoto, and the NMB48 Theater. It also owned or operated YES-fm in Namba and later BS Yoshimoto. A comedy museum and entertainment facility known as Yoshimoto Shōtengai operated in central Osaka before closing in 2009. Corporate restructuring became an important feature of the modern company. In 2005, Isao Yoshino replaced Masao Kimura as director. The company also pursued international partnerships, including the establishment of Bellrock Media in the United States with Faith, Fandango, and Intel Japan, followed by a 2009 partnership with Creative Artists Agency. On October 1, 2007, Yoshimoto Kogyo reorganized as a holding company. It ceased trading on the Osaka and Tokyo stock exchanges on February 24, 2010. A major reputational crisis occurred in 2019, when several affiliated comedians admitted accepting payments and attending parties held by organized crime figures in 2014. Eleven entertainers were suspended, and Shinya Irie was dismissed for arranging appearances without company authorization. The company's leadership admitted that it had been aware of the connection and had pressured performers to keep silent. President and CEO Akihiko Okamoto and chairman Hiroshi Osaki apologized, announced temporary pay reductions, and later reinstated contracts for some performers. The suspended celebrities returned to professional activity on August 19, 2019. The episode underscored the governance risks of managing a large and highly visible talent roster, while Yoshimoto continued to operate as one of Japan's most prominent comedy-centered entertainment companies. Yoshimoto Kogyo began in Osaka’s theater business. On April 1, 1912, Kichibei Yoshimoto and Sei Yoshimoto purchased the Second Arts Building. The couple then established Yoshimoto Kogyo-bu in Shinsaibashi in January 1913, creating the foundation for a company that would eventually become one of Japan’s most prominent entertainment enterprises. In 1922, the business acquired theaters in Tokyo and Yokohama, marking an early move beyond its Osaka base. On March 1, 1932, Yoshimoto Kogyo-bu adopted the name Yoshimoto Kogyo and established a second headquarters in Tokyo. A film department followed in 1933. During this period the company also played an important role in the development and presentation of manzai, helping the form become a central part of Japanese popular comedy. The Asakusa Kagetsu Theatre opened in Tokyo in 1935. In 1941, Yoshimoto worked with national wartime organizations to create the Yoshimoto Theatre Caravan, which toured performances around the country. The Second World War severely affected the company’s physical network. Tsutenkaku, a landmark tower owned by Yoshimoto, was badly damaged by fire in February 1943 and was subsequently dismantled, with its materials redirected to the war effort. Several Yoshimoto theaters were destroyed or heavily damaged during the bombing of Tokyo on March 10, 1945. In October 1946, the company’s Tokyo headquarters separated from the main organization and became Yoshimoto Kabushiki Gaisha. That entity later helped establish Oizumi Eiko, which joined with other companies in the formation of Toei Company. Yoshimoto returned to a period of postwar expansion and institutional development. It began trading on the Osaka Securities Exchange in May 1949 and on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in October 1961. The company opened or operated additional major venues, including Kyoto Kagetsu Theater and Namba Kagetsu Theater in the early 1960s. In 1959, it established Yoshimoto Shinkigeki, a dedicated comedy troupe and theater operation that became an important vehicle for its distinctive style of stage comedy. Yoshimoto New Star Creation was founded in Osaka in 1982 to support the development of new performers, while a second Tokyo headquarters was established in 1995. In the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, Yoshimoto developed into a diversified entertainment group. It continued representing comedians while adding musicians, actors, singers, producers, athletes, and other talent. Its activities expanded across television, film, radio, live events, content production, and venue operations. The company also pursued international and technology-related initiatives. In the United States, Yoshimoto, Faith, Fandango, and Intel Japan formed a strategic alliance that led to Bellrock Media. In 2009, Yoshimoto established a partnership with Creative Artists Agency. A major corporate reorganization took effect on October 1, 2007, when Yoshimoto Kogyo adopted a holding-company structure. Despite its broader portfolio, the group remained most strongly identified with comedy, especially the management and production of owarai talent. Its venue network included Namba Grand Kagetsu in Osaka, Lumine the Yoshimoto in Tokyo, 5up Yoshimoto, NMB48 Theater, and Yoshimoto Mugendai Hall. The Yoshimoto Shōtengai comedy museum in Osaka was another project, although it closed in 2009. The group also operated or owned media assets including YES-fm and BS Yoshimoto. The company faced a major governance and reputational crisis in 2019 after comedians linked to Yoshimoto acknowledged accepting money and attending parties held by members of organized crime groups in 2014. Eleven performers were suspended, while Shinya Irie of Karateka was dismissed for arranging appearances without authorization. Company president and chief executive Akihiko Okamoto acknowledged that the organization had learned of the connection but had pressured performers to remain silent. Okamoto apologized, announced the restoration of contracts for Hiroyuki Miyasako and Ryo Tamura, and, together with chairman Hiroshi Osaki, pledged a 50 percent pay reduction for one year. The affected performers began returning to work in August 2019. The episode highlighted the risks inherent in a large talent-management organization and prompted scrutiny of its internal controls and crisis response.

• 2019

  Anti-social-group scandal

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  The company faced a major crisis after affiliated comedians disclosed unauthorized payments and appearances involving organized crime figures.

• 2010

  Stock-market delisting

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  Yoshimoto Kogyo stopped trading on all stock exchanges on February 24.

• 2009

  Yoshimoto Shōtengai closed

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  The Yoshimoto Shōtengai comedy museum and entertainment facility in central Osaka closed.

• 2007

  Reorganized as a holding company

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  Yoshimoto Kogyo restructured its corporate organization as a holding company on October 1.

• 2005

  Isao Yoshino becomes director

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  Isao Yoshino replaced Masao Kimura as director.

• 1995

  Second Tokyo headquarters established

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  Yoshimoto established a second Tokyo headquarters.

• 1982

  Yoshimoto New Star Creation established

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  Yoshimoto created a talent-development organization in Osaka to support the development of new performers.

• 1961

  Began trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  The company expanded its public-market presence to Tokyo. The company began trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

• 1959

  Yoshimoto Shinkigeki established

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  The company established its own comedy troupe theater group, reinforcing its role in Japan's developing owarai industry.

• 1949

  Began trading on the Osaka Securities Exchange

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  Yoshimoto Kogyo began trading on the Osaka Securities Exchange.

• 1946

  Tokyo headquarters separated

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  In October, the Tokyo headquarters separated from the main organization to form Yoshimoto Kabushiki Gaisha, which later helped establish Oizumi Eiko, part of the lineage leading to Toei Company.

• 1945

  Tokyo theaters destroyed in bombing

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  Several Yoshimoto theaters were destroyed or heavily damaged during the bombing of Tokyo on March 10.

• 1943

  Tsutenkaku damaged and dismantled

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  Tsutenkaku, a landmark tower owned by Yoshimoto, was severely damaged by fire in February and was dismantled rather than rebuilt, with its materials redirected to the war effort.

• 1941

  Yoshimoto Theatre Caravan launched

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  The company began nationwide theater touring through the Yoshimoto Theatre Caravan, established in collaboration with state-related organizations.

• 1935

  Asakusa Kagetsu Theatre opened

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  The Asakusa Kagetsu Theatre opened in Tokyo, extending Yoshimoto's theater presence in the capital.

• 1933

  Film department established

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  Yoshimoto created a film department, broadening its activities beyond live theatrical entertainment.

• 1932

  Renamed Yoshimoto Kogyo

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  Yoshimoto Kogyo-bu adopted the Yoshimoto Kogyo name and established a second headquarters in Tokyo.

• 1922

  Expansion to Tokyo and Yokohama

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  The company acquired theater establishments in Tokyo and Yokohama, marking an early move beyond its Osaka base.

• 1913

  Yoshimoto Kogyo-bu is established

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  The Yoshimoto couple established Yoshimoto Kogyo-bu in Shinsaibashi, Osaka, giving the theater operation a formal business organization.

• 1912

  Founding theater acquired in Osaka

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  Kichibei and Sei Yoshimoto purchased Osaka's Second Arts Building, establishing the business's theatrical foundation.

• 1912

  Yoshimoto enters the theater business

  [1]Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org

  Kichibei and Sei Yoshimoto acquired Osaka’s Second Arts Building, establishing the commercial foundation of the future entertainment group.

A mass-market Japanese entertainment house centered on comedy, live performance, talent representation, and media production, with particularly strong cultural roots in Osaka and the manzai tradition.

• Talent management · 1912

  Comedy talent management

  Yoshimoto's core business is the discovery, representation, scheduling, and promotion of comedians and other entertainers. Its roster has historically been strongly associated with owarai and manzai, while also including actors, singers, musicians, athletes, producers, and other performers.

• Live entertainment · 1912

  Live comedy theaters

  The company operates and promotes comedy venues, allowing performers to develop material through recurring stage work and giving audiences regular access to Yoshimoto-affiliated talent. Notable venues have included Nanba Grand Kagetsu, Lumine the Yoshimoto, Yoshimoto Mugendai Hall, and 5up Yoshimoto.

• Comedy troupe and theater · 1959

  Yoshimoto Shinkigeki

  Established in 1959, Yoshimoto Shinkigeki is a company-associated comedy theater group and performance format. It helped turn regular ensemble comedy into a durable part of Yoshimoto's stage and entertainment identity, presenting ensemble performances and helping develop the style of performers associated with Yoshimoto's live entertainment system. A company-established comedy troupe and stage-theater operation founded in 1959. Yoshimoto Shinkigeki has been central to the group’s postwar comedy identity, presenting ensemble performances and helping develop the style of performers associated with Yoshimoto’s live entertainment system.

• Media production · 1933

  Television and film production

  Yoshimoto has produced and promoted entertainment content for screen media, beginning with a film department in 1933 and later building relationships across television, film, variety programming, and other forms of popular entertainment.

• Broadcasting

  Broadcasting assets

  The company's broader media portfolio has included YES-fm 78.1, a community radio station based in Namba, Osaka, and BS Yoshimoto, a television channel associated with Yoshimoto's comedy and entertainment programming.

• Training and education · 1982

  Artist development

  Yoshimoto New Star Creation, founded in Osaka in 1982, represents the company's investment in developing new performers. Training and stage exposure support the supply of comedians and other talent for the company's theaters, media productions, and commercial activities.

• Live entertainment venue

  Namba Grand Kagetsu

  Namba Grand Kagetsu is a major Osaka comedy theater associated with Yoshimoto's live-performance network and serves as a prominent venue for manzai, stage comedy, and variety entertainment.

• Live entertainment venue

  Lumine the Yoshimoto

  A Yoshimoto comedy venue in Tokyo's Lumine complex. It represents the company's strategy of placing branded comedy stages in major urban commercial districts and provides a regular platform for managed performers and touring acts.

• Live entertainment venue

  Yoshimoto Mugendai Hall

  A Shibuya-based comedy venue associated with Yoshimoto's Tokyo operations. The hall has supported live performances and the development and presentation of contemporary comedy talent.

• Television broadcasting

  BS Yoshimoto

  A Yoshimoto-affiliated television channel and media platform that extends the group's comedy and entertainment content beyond physical theaters into broadcast distribution.

• Radio broadcasting

  YES-fm

  A community FM radio station based in Namba, Osaka, associated with Yoshimoto's broader portfolio of entertainment and local media assets.

• 2019

  Anti-social-group payment scandal

  Several comedians associated with Yoshimoto admitted accepting money and attending parties connected with organized crime groups in 2014. Eleven entertainers were suspended, Shinya Irie was dismissed for arranging appearances without permission, and senior management apologized after acknowledging that the company had pressured performers to remain silent. Some contracts were later reinstated and the suspended performers returned to activity. Several comedians associated with Yoshimoto admitted accepting money and attending parties connected with organized crime groups in 2014. Eleven entertainers were suspended, Shinya Irie was dismissed for arranging appearances without permission, and senior management apologized after acknowledging that the company had pressured performers to remain silent. President and CEO Akihiko Okamoto and chairman Hiroshi Osaki announced one-year 50 percent pay reductions, and some contracts were later reinstated, including those of Hiroyuki Miyasako and Ryo Tamura. The suspended performers returned to activity on August 19, 2019.

  Source

• 2019

  Comedians’ payments and appearances involving antisocial groups

  Several Yoshimoto-associated comedians admitted receiving money and attending parties held by organized crime figures in 2014 without company authorization. Eleven performers were suspended, and Shinya Irie was dismissed for arranging appearances. Company leaders acknowledged that the organization had learned of the connection but had pressured performers to stay silent. The president and chairman apologized, announced pay reductions, and moved to restore certain contracts.

  Source

Read more

• 2009Creative Artists Agency partnership

  Japan · United States

  Yoshimoto formed a partnership with Creative Artists Agency as part of its effort to develop international entertainment relationships, strengthening the group's links with the United States entertainment industry.

  Outcome. Strengthened the group’s links with the United States entertainment industry.

  Source
• 2005Bellrock Media alliance

  United States · Japan

  Yoshimoto Kogyo joined Faith, Fandango, and Intel Japan in a strategic alliance that established Bellrock Media in the United States. Yoshimoto Kogyo joined Faith, Fandango, and Intel Japan in a strategic alliance that established Bellrock Media in the United States, creating an international media initiative outside Yoshimoto's traditional Japanese theater and television base.

  Outcome. Created an international media initiative outside Yoshimoto’s traditional Japanese theater and television base.

  Source
• 1941Yoshimoto Theatre Caravan

  Japan

  Yoshimoto established a touring theater caravan in collaboration with state-related organizations and took performances to audiences across Japan, expanding the company's national theater reach during the wartime period.

  Outcome. Expanded the company's national theater reach during the wartime period.

  Source

• 2019

  Management response to anti-social-group scandalStrategy

  Background

  The company faced criticism after affiliated comedians disclosed unauthorized payments and appearances involving organized crime figures, and after management acknowledged shortcomings in its handling of the issue.

  Action taken

  The company suspended 11 entertainers, dismissed the intermediary who arranged the appearances, issued public apologies, reinstated certain contracts, and announced one-year 50 percent pay reductions for chairman Hiroshi Osaki and president and CEO Akihiko Okamoto. President Akihiko Okamoto apologized, announced the restoration of contracts for Hiroyuki Miyasako and Ryo Tamura, and, together with chairman Hiroshi Osaki, pledged a 50 percent pay reduction for one year.

  Aftermath

  Suspended performers returned to activities from August 19, 2019, while the incident intensified scrutiny of the company’s governance and talent-management practices.

  Executive pay reduction. 50 percent reduction (One year)

  Source

• 2010

  Exit from public stock exchangesOther

  Background

  Yoshimoto Kogyo had traded on the Osaka Securities Exchange since 1949 and the Tokyo Stock Exchange since 1961.

  Action taken

  The company stopped trading on all stock exchanges on February 24, 2010.

  Aftermath

  Yoshimoto continued as a privately held entertainment group rather than a publicly traded company.

  Source

• 2010

  End of stock-exchange tradingOther

  Background

  After the holding-company reorganization, Yoshimoto changed its public-market structure.

  Action taken

  Yoshimoto Kogyo stopped trading on all stock exchanges on February 24.

  Aftermath

  The company continued as a private entertainment group rather than a publicly traded operating company.

  Source

• 2007

  Holding-company restructuringStrategy

  Background

  Yoshimoto had expanded from theater into talent management, film, television, venues, and other entertainment activities.

  Action taken

  The company reorganized as a holding company on October 1, 2007.

  Aftermath

  The restructuring established the modern holding-company framework for the broader Yoshimoto business.

  Source

• 2007

  Conversion to a holding-company structureStrategy

  Background

  Yoshimoto had developed a diversified portfolio involving talent, venues, television, film, radio, and other entertainment activities.

  Action taken

  The company reorganized as a holding company on October 1.

  Aftermath

  The reorganization created the corporate framework associated with Yoshimoto Kogyo Holdings and preceded the end of public trading.

  Source

• 1933

  Entry into film productionStrategy

  Background

  The company’s theater foundation provided a platform for expanding into other forms of popular entertainment.

  Action taken

  Yoshimoto established a film department.

  Aftermath

  The move broadened the company’s activities beyond live comedy and theater.

  Source

• 2026-08-12

  Dentsu launches CHARAMO AI character IP platform[3]电通推出CHARAMO AI角色IP平台jp.ibtimes.com

  Reported: 2026-08-12

  Dentsu launched CHARAMO on Aug. 12, an AI-based intellectual property growth platform that combines proprietary AI with specialist creators to expand existing character content and develop new characters. Its first project is Flipples, a character series created from flip responses by comedians affiliated with Yoshimoto Kogyo, to be developed across social media, character chat, podcasts, events and merchandise.

1. 1Yoshimoto Kogyoen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Yoshimoto Kogyo official websiteyoshimoto.co.jp
3. 3电通推出CHARAMO AI角色IP平台jp.ibtimes.com