Ariola Japan
Japanese record label, successor to BMG Japan.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Ariola Japan is a Japanese record label under Sony Music Labels Inc., which is part of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. It took over from BMG Japan and its earlier labels.
In October 2008, BMG Japan became a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan after Sony purchased BMG’s share of Sony BMG. Before that, BMG Japan had been a division of Sony BMG. The following year, in October 2009, Ariola Japan Inc. was established, taking over BMG Japan and its labels. The name comes from the main Ariola Records label. The new label kept using BMG Japan’s “BV” catalog code. In 2014, Ariola Japan Inc. was merged into Sony Music Records Inc., which then changed its name to Sony Music Labels. Since then, Ariola Japan has functioned as an imprint within Sony Music Labels.
The label works with both former BMG Japan artists and new ones. Its current roster includes Asai Kenichi & the Interchange Kills, Ema, Ive (Japanese releases only), Okamoto's, Oh My Girl (Japanese releases only), Oh My Girl Banhana, Qyoto, Kep1er (Japanese releases only), King Gnu, Coalamode., Sherbets, Seikima-II, Demon Kakka, Chehon, Denpa Girl, Bakarhythm, Ken Hirai, Boogieren, Brainchild's, Mashimaro, Takako Matsu, Yuuri, iDEAK, Toshiki Kadomatsu, Little Tokyo, Kazumasa Oda, Rhythmedia Tribe, Misia, Happy Song Records, The Cro-Magnons, and The High-Lows.
Former artists include Aisha, Ayano Mashiro, AZU (managed by Avex), The Boyz (now with Universal Music Japan), Crossfaith, Deen (managed by Being Inc.), fumika, Hiromi Sakimoto, NGT48, NU'EST, One Day (JYP Entertainment/Ariola Japan), 2AM, 2PM, Rake, Sayuri, Tatsuyuki Hiyamuta, DAD MOM GOD, The Yellow Monkey, and Zeebra.
Ariola Japan also had a joint venture called Augusta Records with Office Augusta, which is now a subsidiary of Universal Music Japan. Artists from that venture include Kyoko, Yu Sakai, Sukima Switch, Takuya Ohashi, and Motohiro Hata.
- field
- Record label
- nationality
- Japan
- known_for
- Successor to BMG Japan; imprint of Sony Music Labels
- founded
- October 2009
- parent
- Sony Music Labels Inc.
Lore & Background
Ariola Japan was founded in October 2009, absorbing BMG Japan and its labels after BMG Japan became a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan in October 2008. Its namesake comes from the main Ariola Records label, and it continued using BMG Japan's 'BV' catalog code. In 2014, Ariola Japan Inc. was absorbed by Sony Music Records Inc., which changed its name to Sony Music Labels, and Ariola Japan has since operated as an imprint of that entity.
Reader's Guide
Ariola Japan represents a significant link in the consolidation of Japanese music labels under Sony. As the successor to BMG Japan, it inherited a roster of both former BMG Japan artists and new talent, including notable acts such as King Gnu, Ken Hirai, and Misia. The label also handles Japanese releases for international K-pop groups like Ive, Oh My Girl, and Kep1er. Its absorption into Sony Music Labels in 2014 marked a shift from a standalone subsidiary to an imprint, streamlining Sony's domestic operations. The label's legacy includes preserving BMG Japan's catalog code and maintaining a diverse artist lineup spanning pop, rock, and idol groups. Its joint venture Augusta Records, now under Universal Music Japan, further illustrates the fluid nature of label partnerships in the Japanese music industry.
Did You Know?
- Ariola Japan was founded in October 2009, absorbing BMG Japan and its labels.
- Its namesake is from the main Ariola Records label.
- The label continued using BMG Japan's 'BV' catalog code after the absorption.
- In 2014, Ariola Japan Inc. was absorbed by Sony Music Records Inc., becoming an imprint of Sony Music Labels.
More in Japanese record labels 1-24
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