Music Publishers Association of Japan joins Friends and Supporters of IMPF

The Music Publishers Association of Japan (MPAJ) has joined The Friends and Supporters of IMPF.

Established in 1973, MPAJ is the sole body representing music publishing businesses in Japan. It has approximately 360 members, including most major music publishers. Many of its member publishers are master recording producers as well as copyright holders. The organisation engages in several services including distribution of broadcasting remuneration and record rental remuneration, and hosting seminars for music copyright owners and interaction with overseas music businesses.

The Friends and Supporters of IMPF is a category of engagement that IMPF offers to entities or individuals that wish to align with IMPF, but don’t meet the statutory criteria to join. It is a way to support the mission of IMPF, and its members, and is aimed at those who would like to have an open and transparent relationship with the independent music publishing community worldwide.

Tatsu Hirano, Director of Watanabe Music Publishing and Vice Chair of MPAJ, said:  “MPAJ is an industry organisation for music publishers in Japan, but many of our members also produce records. In that sense, MPAJ is an organisation for independent record companies as well as independent music publishers in Japan. We have decided to join IMPF with the aim of deepening relationships with overseas indie music publishers, actively exchanging information, and improving their status.”

The IMPF Board said: “This is an important step for IMPF as we continue to expand our community, reach and influence around the world on behalf of independent music publishers. We look forward to working closely with MPAJ, its members and its partners in what is an incredibly important region in the global music business – one with tremendous opportunities and potential.”