The U.K. music industry is embarking on a trade mission in Tokyo from July 31 to Aug. 4 to give the British music business an insight into Japan’s digital and mobile music developments.
Spearheaded by British industry trade body the BPI and supported by government body U.K. Trade and Investment (UKTI), this is the U.K.’s third annual trade mission to Japan.
The initiative also aims to offer the participating 55 British acts and 30-plus companies and organizations an opportunity to learn about the media, licensing and retail businesses in the world’s second biggest music market.
“The BPI has prioritized Japan in its international strategy over the past three years and we are beginning to see the results,” said Peter Jamieson, the BPI’s chairman. “British music is stronger and more visible in Japan than it has been for years.”
Among the local music industry operators working with the trade mission will be major retailers HMV Japan, Tower Japan, Amazon, sales chart compiler Oricon and collection society JASRAC.
The visit will be supported by a one-month campaign to promote the best of British music via a series of radio promotions and appearances at live music festivals.
The radio campaign, launched by the BPI, UKTI and the British Embassy in Japan, will feature dedicated British music slots on Tokyo stations such as Inter FM, J Wave and Kokoro Radio. The stations will also hold contests with tickets to the next BRIT Awards and top U.K. music festivals among the prizes.
Additionally, British artists such as Franz Ferdinand, Snow Patrol, Zutons and KT Tunstall will be among the 55 artists performing at the Fuji Rock and Summer Sonic festivals.
Among the top 10 U.K. albums in Japan in 2005 were ‘Don’t Believe the Truth’ by Oasis (Sony), Coldplay’s ‘X&Y’ (Toshiba EMI), ‘Back Home’ from Eric Clapton (Warner) and ‘The Story Goes…’ by a R&B chart topper Craig David (Warner).
