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A UK music industry trade mission to Japan is set to take place from 16th – 22nd August 2025, providing an open door for music businesses to explore business opportunities in the world’s third largest economy.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT), in partnership with UK record labels association, the BPI (British Phonographic Industry), Music Tech Japan and Creative Man (Tokyo), are organising this music mission to Japan, which will take place in Osaka and Tokyo.
The event will include delegates attending the Summer Sonic Festival and the Osaka Expo 25. There will also be a reception at the British Embassy in Tokyo for delegates and for invited Industry guests.
Applications to attend can be made here.
Japan Music revenues totalled US$2.5 billion in 2024. As the world’s second-largest music market, Japan accounted for 40.5% of Asia’s total revenue in 2024. Japan year-on-year revenues were almost flat (down just 0.2%) with streaming revenue growth of +US$49m. Japan surpassed the US$750 million milestone for subscription streaming revenues, the fifth market in the world to do so. Subscription streaming revenues increased by 7.2% year-on-year to US$781 million.
The mission will act as a catalyst for collaboration, exploration and expansion of the British music industry in Japan. It will include a programme of education, networking, B2B meetings, music company site visits and other music related activities including the aforementioned two days at Summer Sonic Festival and the Oska Expo.
Artists, managers, promoters, record labels, music publishers, digital distribution companies, festival bookers/directors/organisers and promoters, covering all genres of music are invited to participate, and the mission organisers will be tailoring certain aspects of the program to suit all delegates.
Chris Tams, the BPI’s Director of Independent Member Services, said:
“Having been involved in past missions to Japan, I know just how popular this event is with our members and the industry more widely. Japan has always been a strong territory for UK music exports, and, with a robust physical market along with a rapidly expanding digital market, it remains a key destination for UK music companies and their artists.”
Mission registration is just £200.00 per delegate, including access to the SummerSonic Festival and Oska Expo. Applicants are asked to note that all travel, accommodation and other costs will need to be covered by themselves. Some of the activities being planned in Osaka and Tokyo will include site visits, relevant to the delegation as well as several opportunities for B2B meetings and networking with opinion leaders and industry professionals.