Entertainment
Cloud Nine president outlines strategy for expanding J-pop globally after Los Angeles festival
Takuya Chigira discussed Japanese music industry hurdles, artist Ado's representation deal with WME, and international growth plans.
The short version
- Cloud Nine president Takuya Chigira stated that the company organized the Zipangu festival in Los Angeles in May to help Japanese artists launch overseas tours rather than to turn a profit.
- Following a 2025 world tour that drew over 500,000 fans, Japanese singer Ado signed a representation deal with WME to expand international management resources.
- Cloud Nine plans to hold the Zipangu festival annually in Los Angeles each May and is evaluating expansion into additional international markets in autumn.
Key facts
- Cloud Nine organized the Zipangu festival in Los Angeles in May with a core team of fewer than ten staff members operating alongside their routine responsibilities.[Billboard]
- Streaming numbers for the eight artists who performed at Zipangu increased in Los Angeles by an average of roughly 2.4 times within a week following the event.[Billboard]
- Japanese artist Ado signed a representation deal with WME to cover international operational resources that her domestic team cannot reach.[Billboard]
- Ado's 2025 world tour attracted more than 500,000 attendees and placed her at No. 94 on Billboard's annual touring revenue ranking.[Billboard]
- Cloud Nine intends to host Zipangu in Los Angeles every May and is exploring holding events in September or October in countries with established demand for J-pop.[Billboard]
What remains uncertain
- The specific foreign countries under consideration for the potential autumn expansion of the Zipangu festival remain unannounced.[Billboard]