J-Pop: Warner Music Japan CEO Interview

Billboard JAPAN spoke with Takeshi Okada about global collaborations, WMJ’s comprehensive deal with Yuki Chiba, and his vision for the future.

In December 2024, Takeshi Okada was appointed the new President and CEO of Warner Music Japan (WMJ). Previously, as part of Universal Music, he served as the Managing Director of EMI Records, where he played a pivotal role in the release of numerous hits. What does he hope to accomplish at WMJ? Billboard JAPAN spoke with him about global collaborations, WMJ’s comprehensive deal with Yuki Chiba, and his vision for the future.

You’ve been appointed the CEO of WMJ. What kind of potential did you see in the company that led you to accept the position?

Even before joining WMJ, I could tell that Warner Music had “artist-first” in its DNA. Warner Music is home to many artists who are driven by a relentless pursuit of great and quality music. I’ve seen WMJ as a company that could stand by them and help their remarkable works reach and inspire audiences worldwide. That impression hasn’t changed since I joined. By leveraging this strength, driving the digital transition, and strengthening strategic collaboration with WMG headquarters and affiliates worldwide as a global major, I believed we could deliver greater value to artists. That’s why I accepted the offer to serve as President and CEO.

You’re only 41 years old. Do you feel like you’re under any pressure having been appointed CEO at such a young age?

Honestly, what made me most nervous was not so much taking the CEO position, but changing companies for the first time in my career. I had been at the same company since I graduated from University.

That said, for a long time I’d been wanting to take on a new challenge when I entered my 40s, so I saw this as the right opportunity at the right time, and I decided to take it on.

What do you currently see as the pressing tasks facing WMJ?

First off, we need to strengthen our digital efforts. WMG has succeeded in adapting pioneering technologies and digital marketing globally, leading to the breakthroughs of many new artists through streaming. Artists like Alex Warren and sombr are finding success on the charts, with new talent breaking through one after another. Their music is, of course, wonderful, but another factor behind their songs becoming huge hits is their skillful use of influencer marketing and social media. Japan has a lot to learn in this area.

Another priority is building the right organizational structure. We need to discover new artists, support their ambitions, help them steadily grow their fan base, and deliver their music to as many people as possible through stronger digital marketing. In July, we carried out an internal organizational reform, the first since I became CEO, with the aims of streamlining and better integrating this process.

It feels like over the past few years, WMJ hasn’t had as strong a presence on the charts as Warner Music has in the U.S.. What do you think is behind that?

I think we have been doing each piece well individually, but I think there is room for tighter, more strategic integration between “making great music” and “promoting” it. I expect the recent organizational reform to help strengthen that connection effectively, and that’s where I want to focus our efforts first.

(Source: Warner Music)