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Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 22, 2013

Sony's Hirai plans $250 million in entertainment cuts

Sony Corp. will cut $250 million in costs at its entertainment units over two years, part of Chief Executive Officer Kazuo Hirai's plan to boost profit and keep full ownership of the movie, TV and music businesses.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 19, 2013

Macau casino giant eyes Japan foray

Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd., the Macau casino operator that made Lui Che-woo Asia's third-richest man, plans to invest in China's Hengqin Island and will consider investing at least $5 billion in Japan and Taiwan if allowed.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 10, 2019

Steve Mnuchin denies selling his entertainment firm to Russians but won't reveal buyers

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin declined to tell lawmakers who purchased his entertainment company, but promised it wasn't a Russian.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Sep 21, 2017

Dangen Entertainment hopes to help overseas developers find their way in Japan's gaming world

The group that would soon be known as Dangen Entertainment sat around Ben Judd's house this past April, making plans and bouncing ideas off each other over pizza and drinks. Judd had an idea to start an independent game-publishing company in Japan and had reached out to five others in the industry. Like...
JAPAN / Politics
May 21, 2013

1948 law on entertainment biz too strict on dance clubs, lawmakers say

Lawmakers across party lines pledged Monday to revise a law they consider obsolete that imposes strict operational and licensing rules on dance clubs.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
May 30, 2016

Japan shedding 1940s morality by relaxing rules on nightclubs

Late-night dancing is just a step away after the revision of a law that forced nightclubs to close by midnight.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 1, 2015

Reviving Japan Inc.'s entertainment division

If Japan had its own cartoon-and-comics-driven Hollywood, it would increase its global cultural clout and give the economy a much needed boost.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jul 10, 2019

Johnny Kitagawa: The mogul who defined and controlled Japan's entertainment industry

Few in the history of Japan's entertainment industry have wielded more power than talent manager Johnny Kitagawa.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions
Jun 2, 2019

Integrated resorts: A game of calculated risk in Japan

Ted Chan is keen to dispel the idea that gaming is all about hedonistic and excessive risk-taking.
WORLD
May 19, 2015

Consultant's claim he hacked into jetliner via in-flight entertainment system worrisome

Even as the U.S. questioned a computer researcher's claims of tampering with a jetliner in flight, his account spotlighted possible cybersecurity risks in commercial aviation.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jan 15, 2016

China's richest man eyes global film empire with purchase of Hollywood blockbuster studio

Flanked by models in white sequin dresses amid booming music and dazzling lights, China's richest man savored his latest entertainment triumph this week: the announcement of a $3.5 billion deal to take over a Hollywood blockbuster movie studio.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 20, 2020

BTS fans have a new way to show their love: buying shares

In the music industry, fans are everything. But when it comes to K-pop, that adage holds more true than ever.
BUSINESS
Aug 19, 2000

Yoshimoto Kogyo branches into entertainment catering

OSAKA -- Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., a major, Osaka-based entertainment firm, has found yet another business area to cash in on -- entertainment catering. The move, according to Yoshimoto officials, is part of its business diversification plan as it goes into the 21st century.
JAPAN
Aug 26, 1997

Firm aims at Japan market for new-style entertainment

New types of entertainment facilities that are family-oriented and regionally based are suitable for the Japanese market and will grow in the future, the head of Orlando-based ITEC Productions, said August 26.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 3, 2020

Dubious use of funds suspected at entertainment firm linked to arrested Japanese lawmaker Tsukasa Akimoto

A Tokyo entertainment firm linked to Lower House lawmaker Tsukasa Akimoto, who was arrested last month for allegedly taking bribes from a Chinese gambling company, is suspected of dubious use of funds, it was learned Friday.
Japan Times
LIFE
Sep 23, 2012

Antidancing law out of step with Japan's youth culture

Many in Japan's large and lively dance community centered on hip-hop, house and other styles are becoming increasingly upset at what appears to be a police crackdown on an essential part of their lives.
BUSINESS
Aug 17, 2002

Insurers boost marketing of policies for entertainment events

Insurance firms are stepping up efforts to sell policies covering damage caused by accidents at fireworks displays and other entertainment events organized by municipalities or communities.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
May 2, 2018

Is the feudal era over for Japan's talent agencies?

Japanese show business definitely has a feudal side. Talent agencies control their tarento (talent) much in the way the daimyō (feudal lords) controlled the samurai in their clans, supporting their livelihoods in return for absolute fealty. And just as samurai were expected to stay with one clan their...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 29, 2017

Favoring Osaka, Macau billionaire says Tokyo doesn't need a casino

Lawrence Ho, the billionaire owner of Melco Resorts & Entertainment, said he favors building a casino in Osaka rather than Tokyo because there are more opportunities to develop the smaller city as an entertainment destination.
Fans in Osaka take photos as the company formerly known as Johnny & Associates removes references to its founder. The agency announced its new name, Starto Entertainment, on Friday.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Dec 8, 2023

Johnny’s changes name to Starto Entertainment

The announcement signals a new chapter in the talent agency’s history as it scrubs references to its disgraced founder from its current structure.
ESPN, the sports TV unit of Walt Disney, is licensing its brand to casino operator Penn Entertainment, further deepening the media giant’s ties to online gambling.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 9, 2023

ESPN inks long-term deal with casino operator Penn Entertainment

The move to license its brand for sports betting deepens the media giant’s ties to the growing online gambling business.
The talent agency formerly known as Johnny & Associates announced it would change its name after acknowledging the long history of abuse company founder Johnny Kitagawa inflicted on young men. The news was followed by the removal of company signage bearing Kitagawa’s name.
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Dec 2, 2023

The entertainment story of the year is long overdue

As entertainment heavyweights Johnny & Associates and Takarazuka Revue are hit by scandals, hope for reform emerges with changing attitudes toward abuse.
Tsumugi-nen is artificial intelligence talent agency Pictoria's most popular AI Vtuber that has garnered thousands of fans through her content, including streaming for five days straight — something a human can not do.
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 5, 2024

Is AI a friend or foe of the Japanese entertainment industry?

While proponents tap the technology's potential, others are worried about the possibility of losing their jobs.
NHK President Nobuo Inaba speaks during a news conference in Tokyo in September.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Oct 17, 2024

NHK to resume contracting former Johnny's performers

The broadcaster's president said the decision was based on the agency’s clear efforts to compensate Johnny Kitagawa's sexual abuse victims.
Sony had been expected to benefit from Zee’s deep library of content in regional Indian languages and its dozens of local television channels.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 22, 2024

Sony sends termination letter to Zee over India merger

The entertainment giant cited conditions of the merger agreement not being met as the reason for ending the deal with the Indian media network.
The Universal Entertainment logo at the company's headquarters in Tokyo
BUSINESS
Aug 1, 2023

Japanese firm accused of improper influence over Manila casino

The dispute involves a $275 million investment by 26 Capital. Universal owns 88% of the property under the terms of the deal.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
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