Defstar Records

Lore & Background

Defstar Records was founded in 1997 by Takashi Yoshida, then president of Warner Music Japan, under the name T Project. In 2000, Yoshida transferred to Sony Music Entertainment Japan and brought the T Project catalog with him, renaming the label Defstar Records. The label became a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment in 2001, with Yoshida as its manager. In 2003, Yoshida returned to Warner Music Japan but did not attempt to reclaim the label, instead focusing on restructuring his former company.

Reader's Guide

Defstar Records operated as a mid-sized Japanese label under Sony Music Japan, releasing music from a wide range of artists including AKB48 (before they moved to King Records), Chemistry, Ken Hirai, and GARNiDELiA. Its significance lies in its role as a bridge between the independent and major label scenes in Japan, particularly through its founder Takashi Yoshida's cross-company moves. The label's legacy is tied to its catalog, which was absorbed into Sony Music Labels Inc. in 2014 and then into SME Records in 2015. Defstar's history illustrates the consolidation trends in the Japanese music industry during the 2000s and 2010s.

Did You Know?

• Defstar Records was originally founded as T Project in 1997 by Takashi Yoshida, then president of Warner Music Japan.
• The label was renamed Defstar Records in 2000 after Yoshida transferred to Sony Music Entertainment Japan.
• AKB48 released products under Defstar before moving to King Records.
• Defstar was absorbed into SME Records in 2015.