Takeshi Okada has been appointed as the new President and CEO of Warner Music Japan. He will take up the role on December 2nd and report to Simon Robson, who is overseeing Warner Music Group’s recorded business in the APAC region until a permanent appointee is announced.
Okada joins Warner Music after serving as Managing Director of EMI Records Japan, a Universal Music Group label, since 2018. During his tenure, he led the label to achieve great success, fueled by the performance of renowned artists such as singer-songwriter Yumi Matsutoya and rock band Mrs. GREEN APPLE. Prior to that role, he spent more than a decade at Universal Music Japan, playing a pivotal role in its digital marketing efforts and significantly contributing to its hit-making ability in the streaming era.
Okada will work through a leadership transition period with outgoing President and CEO Kaz Kobayashi, who announced last month that he would be stepping down. They will both be supported by Dr Kenji Kitatani, the recently appointed Chairman of Warner Music Japan.
Takeshi Okada says: “I’m excited to take on the leadership of Warner Music Japan at such a pivotal time in its evolution and it’s an honor to succeed Kaz Kobayashi, who was known throughout the industry as an artists’ champion. We have hugely ambitious growth plans in this fast-changing market and I’m dedicated to driving Warner Music Japan’s evolution, ensuring it consistently grows and prospers.”
Simon Robson concludes: “It’s great news that the highly respected Takeshi Okada has agreed to run our business in Japan as we accelerate our growth plans in the world’s second largest music market. I know that Kaz and Kenji will work with him to ensure a smooth leadership transition. These appointments show we are serious about expanding our operations in this vitality important market.”
