Warner Music Japan has appointed Eitaro Shibasaki as chief business officer (CBO), effective October 1.
He will report to Takeshi Okada, president & CEO of Warner Music Japan.
Shibasaki will oversee Warner Music’s business development and commercial operations in the world’s second largest recorded music market. Warner said he will be responsible for formulating strategic initiatives, strengthening key partner relationships, driving market share expansion and revenue growth, and leveraging new market opportunities.
“Shibasaki brings more than two decades of digital music and industry leadership to Warner Music Japan,” said a statement. “His career has been dedicated to expanding domestic music demand and enhancing artist-fan engagement in Japan.”
Joining RecoChoku Co in 2008, he played a key role in scaling the business through marketing and licensing negotiation leadership. Serving as executive officer, director of marketing and head of platform business from 2015, he spearheaded key growth initiatives, including co-founding the Eggs Project, a joint venture with telco NTT DOCOMO and Tower Records Japan supporting independent artists. When the project spun off into Eggs Co in 2019, Shibasaki was appointed its president.
Eitaro Shibasaki has played a pivotal role in shaping Japan's digital music ecosystem and championing artist success for over two decades
Takeshi Okada
“Alongside Warner Music Japan’s president & CEO Takeshi Okada and Warner Music APAC regional CFO Franck Pidou, Shibasaki will lead the company’s next phase of transformation and growth in Japan,” added the statement.
Eitaro Shibasaki said: “I am delighted to join Warner Music Japan as it continues its dynamic transformation under the leadership of president Takeshi Okada. By acting quickly on emerging trends and taking bold, novel risks, my goal is to expand opportunities for our artist roster, forge deeper commercial partnerships, and deliver fresh value to music fans across Japan.”
Takeshi Okada added: “Eitaro Shibasaki has played a pivotal role in shaping Japan's digital music ecosystem and championing artist success for over two decades. Having trusted him as a close business partner for many years, I know firsthand the deep respect he commands across the industry. I am delighted to welcome him to our leadership team as we strongly accelerate our growth strategy and push the boundaries of what a modern music company can achieve.”
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