Kaz Kobayashi is stepping down as chairman and CEO of Warner Music Japan after a decade in the role, the company announced on Wednesday (September 18). His successor will be announced soon and is currently working together Dr. Kenji Kitatanithe newly appointed president of Warner Music Japan, in a transition plan.
Kobayashi, who took over in 2014 after a long run at Sony, has been instrumental in the success of artists such as Aimyon, THE YELLOW MONKEY, TWICE, MISAMO and ONE OK ROCK. He has long advocated an artist-first approach, and under his leadership, Warner Music Japan has become the country's leading digital music company, the world's second largest music market after the US.
“Not only has he delivered great results for artists as a business executive, but he has also earned great respect for building deep trust and cultivating friendships with them,” said Simon Robson, president of International Recorded Music. “He has led the company's development in Japan, a hugely important and distinct music market.”
Kobayashi joined Warner from Sony Music Entertainment Japan, where he worked as a corporate executive overseeing music TV assets, live venues and ticketing, while also serving as president of Epic Records Japan, DefSTAR Records and Ariola Japan. He started his career in the music industry at Epic Japan in the A&R department.
“I am truly grateful and honored to have been a part of the lives of many great artists, including Tatsuro Yamashita and Mariya Takeuchi,” said Kobayashi. “But all good things come to an end and I've decided the time is right for me to move on.”
The leadership transition at WMJ comes amid other high-level changes at Warner, including this week's announcement that Kevin Lyles would step down as CEO of 300 Entertainment and the recent departures of WMG's CEO of Recorded Music Max Lusanda and longtime leader of the Atlantic Julie Greenwald.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/pro/warner-music-japan-president-ceo-kaz-kobayashi-stepping-down/
