Live Nation acquires Japanese concert promoter Hayashi International

USA-based entertainment giant Live Nation has announced its acquisition of Hayashi International Promotions (HIP), one of Japan’s largest concert promoters.

HIP, which promotes both domestic and international artists in the Japanese market, is led by Chief Executive Kaori Hayashi, who will continue to oversee the business.

In a press release, Live Nation advised that the acquisition “will enhance Japan’s live music landscape” both by attracting “global superstars” to the country and by “elevating J-pop on the international stage.”

It added “by leveraging Live Nation’s world-class touring capabilities, more global superstars will reach Japanese audiences, while elevating J-pop on the international stage - connecting Japanese artists with growing global fanbases like never before.”

Explaining Live Nation’s expansion in the world’s second-largest recorded music market, Michael Rapino, Chief Executive and President, Live Nation Entertainment, stated “HIP is one of Japan’s iconic concert companies, and we’re honoured they’ve chosen to join Live Nation.

“As Kaori continues to build on the incredible legacy her family started, we’re excited to partner with her and the HIP team to bring even more live music to fans across Japan.”

“Partnering with Live Nation allows us to keep doing this with greater scale, giving Japanese artists the opportunity to perform to new audiences and strengthening Japan’s position as a must-visit destination for major acts.”

Hayashi added “HIP has been at the heart of Japan’s live music scene for over 40 years, and our focus has always been on delivering incredible concerts for fans.

“Partnering with Live Nation allows us to keep doing this with greater scale, giving Japanese artists the opportunity to perform to new audiences and strengthening Japan’s position as a must-visit destination for major acts.”

In interview for MBW’s World Leaders series in 2023, Hayashi outlined the biggest opportunities for international artists in the Japanese market, noting “the biggest opportunity for an international artist is to fully cross over to the fans of domestic music.

“Japanese acts account for nearly 90% of all tickets sold for live music events in Japan. One artist that has achieved this is Bruno Mars. Not only do you need to be incredibly talented you also need to show loyalty to your Japanese fans and regularly perform in the country while actively promoting your shows.”

The Tokyo-headquartered business has promoted a number of shows in Japan for international acts including Mars, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Oasis, Kylie Minogue, Taylor Swift, Fall Out Boy and Linkin Park.

HIP has been responsible for taking prominent US rock festival brands into the market in recent years including Ozzfest in 2013 and returned in 2015.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Images: Hayashi International Promotions (top) and Kaori Hayashi, whose company has sold to Live Nation (below). Credit: Live Nation.