Latest news with #Mrs.GreenApple
Japan Today
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Couple nabbed over sales of pirated discs of Japan pop band concerts
A couple in Tokyo have been arrested for allegedly selling pirated discs featuring performances by Japanese pop band Mrs. Green Apple and other counterfeit items, police said. Akihiro Takayama, a 39-year-old company executive, and his Chinese wife, Chen Lili, 37, were arrested Tuesday for suspected copyright violations through sales of unapproved DVDs and Blu-rays at an online flea market between last July and November. Police searched their home and a warehouse in Tokyo and confiscated roughly 2,200 items, including pirated versions of the popular "One Piece" manga series. The couple are believed to have sold bootleg discs in sets, with the price of each set ranging from 5,000 yen ($34) to 10,000 yen, according to the police. The case came to light after a woman in Ishikawa Prefecture who purchased a set consulted the police after noticing differences from authentic discs. © KYODO
The Mainichi
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Couple nabbed over sales of pirated discs of Japan pop band concerts
KANAZAWA (Kyodo) -- A couple in Tokyo have been arrested for allegedly selling pirated discs featuring performances by Japanese pop band Mrs. Green Apple and other counterfeit items, police said Friday. Akihiro Takayama, a 39-year-old company executive, and his Chinese wife, Chen Lili, 37, were arrested Tuesday for suspected copyright violations through sales of unapproved DVDs and Blu-rays at an online flea market between last July and November. Police searched their home and a warehouse in Tokyo and confiscated roughly 2,200 items, including pirated versions of the popular "One Piece" manga series. The couple are believed to have sold bootleg discs in sets, with the price of each set ranging from 5,000 yen ($34) to 10,000 yen, according to the police. The case came to light after a woman in Ishikawa Prefecture who purchased a set consulted the police after noticing differences from authentic discs.
The Mainichi
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Tokyo Disney Resort teams up with Mrs. Green Apple in 'Summer Cool-off' program
URAYASU, Chiba -- Tokyo Disney Resort (TDR)'s special summer program "Summer Cool-off" began July 2 with a surprise appearance by members of popular rock band Mrs. Green Apple. Related parades and shows were revealed to the press on July 1. At Tokyo Disneyland, the program's theme song "Carrying Happiness," released by Mrs. Green Apple, played as band members rode in an open car with Mickey Mouse and friends. Later on, health care robot Baymax from Disney's animated film "Big Hero 6" appeared on two floats, with the "task" of protecting visitors from the heat. Sensing the heat was wearing guests down, Baymax sprayed water on the crowd of people, drawing loud cheers. In the evening at Tokyo DisneySea, Mickey and friends held a dance festival titled "Dockside Splash Remix" to blow away the summer heat. Fireworks and tons of spraying water energized the audience. The summer program at TDR in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, will run through Sept. 15. (Japanese original by Takashi Ishizuka, Chiba Bureau)
Asahi Shimbun
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
Japan's music industry seeks to expand abroad beyond CD sales
Mrs. Green Apple wins the Best Japanese Song Artist award in the first Music Awards Japan ceremony at Rohm Theater Kyoto on May 21. (©CEIPA/MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2025) A new awards gala was held to spread Japan's pop music to the rest of the world, but the struggling domestic industry may have to ditch its traditional practices to enable expansion. The inaugural ceremonies of Music Awards Japan were held at Rohm Theater Kyoto on May 21 and 22. The red carpet was rolled out for industry officials and artists, including guests from overseas. One stated goal of the awards is to help 'spread the music of Japan and the rest of Asia to other parts of the world and forge global connections.' The award organizers set up a number of categories honoring overseas songs, including 'Best Song Asia,' apparently in hopes of connecting the awards with other Asian nations. Japanese music industry officials are eyeing the global market because of a sense of alarm about what is happening in Japan. 'The domestic market has matured fully and flattened off,' Tatsuya Nomura, chairman of the Music Awards Japan Executive Committee, told The Asahi Shimbun on May 22. 'Now is the time to expand geographical coverage.' Figures of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry show the global recorded music market was worth $29.6 billion (4.3 trillion yen) in 2024, up 1.6-fold from five years earlier. By contrast, the Recording Industry Association of Japan said the production value of 'physical products' and sales of 'digital music' in Japan totaled 328.5 billion yen in 2024, up only 1.1-fold from 2019. Despite the ease of digital streaming to push music beyond national borders, physical media remain dominant in Japan. Popular idol groups affiliated with Smile-Up Inc., formerly Johnny & Associates Inc., have continued to emphasize CD sales. The IFPI figures show that streaming accounted for about 70 percent of the global recorded music market in 2024. However, streaming accounted for slightly more than 30 percent of total music revenue in Japan last year, the RIAJ figures show. CDs and other physical products made up more than 60 percent. There are, however, signs of change. The KinKi Kids and Snow Man idol units previously affiliated with Johnny & Associates embarked on a subscription streaming campaign in spring. Gustav Gyllenhammar, a //global vice president// with music streaming service operator Spotify AB, told The Asahi Shimbun that he believes Japanese artists are now facing lower hurdles to reach out to listeners abroad. Gyllenhammar pointed out, however, that Japanese music industry officials will have to make efforts on every front of the market, including artists and labels, if they wish to obtain more listeners. (This article was written by Shiki Iwasawa and Kenichiro Shino.)
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Universal Music Group Posts $3.3B In Revenue for First Quarter
Universal Music Group, the world's largest music company, posted 11.8 percent year-over-year revenue growth for its first quarter to 2.9 billion euros ($3.3 billion), the company reported on Tuesday, buoyed by releases from Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga and Japanese rock band Mrs. Green Apple. Revenue from UMG's recordings division overall grew 12.7 percent year over year to about 2.2 billion euros ($2.5 billion), with subscription and streaming revenue growing 9.5 percent to about 1.6 billion euros ($1.8 billion). Subscriptions specifically grew 11.5 percent, but streaming grew 3 percent. Revenue from physical sales meanwhile grew 17.6 percent to 300 million euros ($341 million). Licensing revenue grew the most at 33 percent to 296 million euros ($338 million). More from The Hollywood Reporter Chappell Roan Signs Management Deal With Noah Kahan Manager Drew Simmons Gretchen Wilson Goes on 'The Road' With CBS Music Competition Show Mike Van Named First-Ever CEO of Billboard On the publishing side, revenue grew nearly 12 percent overall, up to about 555 million euros ($633 million). Digital revenue was by far the biggest gainer, and the largest contributor to the publishing division, growing 19.4 percent to 339 million euros ($387 million). Performance revenue growth was flat at 114 million euros ($130 million). Download revenue dropped 13 percent to 40 million euros ($46 million), matching broader industry trends as digital downloads continue to plummet in the streaming era. Merchandise revenue fell nearly 2 percent to 112 million euros ($128 million), with the company citing 'timing-related declines in touring merchandise sales' but adding that stronger direct-to-consumer sales partially offset the loss. 'Our strong results – and our confidence about the future – reflect the execution of our strategic plan, including consistently developing and breaking the world's most successful artists and songwriters by connecting them with billions of fans in new and innovative ways,' UMG's chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge said in a statement. This was the first financial quarter earnings report since UMG announced its new multi-year partnership with Spotify in January. The company also restructured its Nashville team, replacing CEO Cindy Mabe with Mike Harris. (UMG Nashville rebranded to Music Corporation of America this month). UMG flagship label also announced it was reviving the famed Nashville label Lost Highway. During UMG's earnings call Friday morning, UMG spoke about 'superfan' offerings like super-premium streaming plans on DSPs. Grainge also referenced the current broader 'economic uncertainty in the world,' but referred to music as a 'shelter from the storm,' quoting Bob Dylan as Grainge said he was confident in UMG's business in the months ahead. 'I've been through various cycles of economic uncertainty, music has always proven to be incredibly resilient,' Grainge said. 'It's low-cost, high engagement and obviously a unique form of entertainment. When household budgets tighten, music subscriptions and purchases have been resilient. The usage is constant, and it's good value for money. Music improves people's lives.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
