Believe expands its Japan operations with Teichiku partnership

Independent firm Believe’s latest move in Japan is a partnership with Teichiku Entertainment, a label whose history dates back to 1934. The deal will see Believe distribute Teichiku’s catalogue both in Japan and internationally, with a particular view to bring its ‘enka’, ‘kayōkyoku’ and modern J-Pop to a global audience.

“Our mission now is to bring our extensive catalog of hit songs beyond Japan’s borders and also contribute to the success of J-Pop on a global scale,” said Teichiku president and CEO Hideki Kurita, who said his label has spent the last year investigating which distribution partner can help with that mission.

Believe opened its first office in Japan in October 2023, and signified its ambitions in the country with the launch of an imprint focusing on Japanese hip-hop a few months later.