Nippon Television Music Corporation, the music publishing arm of Japan’s leading multi-platform entertainment giant Nippon TV and a subsidiary of Nippon Television Holdings, has announced the appointment of Kako Kuwahara as its new President and CEO. She succeeds Akihiro Shimizu, who has taken on the role of President at Tipness Co. Ltd., another subsidiary of Nippon Television Holdings specializing in fitness club operations across Japan.
Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Tokyo, Nippon TV Music plays a crucial role in promoting the global reach of music and character IPs associated with Nippon TV. The company manages a wide portfolio of musical works—including scores, theme songs, and soundtracks—for globally recognized anime such as Hunter x Hunter, Death Note,The Apothecary Diaries, and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, working in collaboration with sub-publishers worldwide. Nippon TV Music is also active in international merchandising and game adaptations for major IPs, including Hunter x Hunter and the beloved children’s franchise Anpanman.
Kuwahara brings extensive experience in the anime and international business sectors, having served as Head of International Business and Head of Anime Business at Nippon TV. She played a key role in the global success of The Apothecary Diaries and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, significantly boosting Nippon TV’s presence in the global anime marketplace. Reporting to Keiichi Sawa, Senior Operating Officer at Nippon TV Holdings, Kuwahara is expected to spearhead further international growth and strategic collaborations.
Commenting on her new role, Kuwahara said:“Anime titles from Nippon TV such as Hunter x Hunter, Death Note, The Apothecary Diaries, and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End are enjoyed by audiences around the world. While Nippon TV is already a global powerhouse in Japanese entertainment, we at Nippon TV Music aim to further elevate our presence through music produced by us on Nippon TV’s hit shows. Together with anime, films, drama series, and variety shows—and in collaboration with Japan’s talented music creators—we aspire to create music and characters that resonate with audiences worldwide.”
Nippon TV Music operates across two key business areas: music and character IPs. In the music sector, the company handles the production of master recordings, copyright management, coordination of theme songs and scores for Nippon TV programming, and supports the development of emerging artists and creators. In the character business, it manages international merchandising and gaming adaptations of renowned franchises including Hunteer x Hunter, Anpanman, and Lupin the Third.
