Live Nation’s Acquisition of HIP
Live Nation has acquired Hayashi International Promotions (HIP), a prominent promoter of live music focused on both local and international artists in Japan.
Founded over 40 years ago, Live Music Powerhouse HIP stands as one of the largest concert promoters in Japan.
The company is led by General Director Kaori Hayashi, who will continue to oversee the business operations.
In recent years, in addition to attracting various global superstars to Japan, HIP has played a crucial role in introducing well-known U.S. rock festival brands to the market.
One notable festival was OZZFEST, in partnership with Sharon Osbourne, which debuted in 2013 and made a return in 2015.
Expansion of Live Nation in Japan
This acquisition marks a significant expansion for Live Nation in the second largest music market in the world.
The deal further solidifies Live Nation’s presence in Japan, with superstars such as Oasis, Kylie Minogue, and Kygo scheduled to perform in the country in 2025.
According to the press release, the collaboration between Live Nation and HIP is expected to enhance the live music landscape in Japan, leveraging Live Nation’s global network and “deep local insights.”
The press release states: “By utilizing the world-class tourism capabilities of Live Nation, more global superstars will engage with Japanese audiences, while simultaneously elevating J-POP and promoting Japanese artists with growing international fan bases like never before.”
“HIP is one of the iconic concert companies in Japan, and it is a great honor for us that they decided to join Live Nation.”
Michael Rapino, Live Nation Entertainment
Michael Rapino, General Director and President of Live Nation Entertainment, expressed: “HIP is one of the renowned concert companies in Japan, and we are truly honored that they have chosen to join Live Nation. We look forward to collaborating with Kaori and the HIP team to provide even more live music experiences for fans across Japan.”
“Partnering with Live Nation enables us to continue enriching the live music scene on a larger scale, providing Japanese artists the chance to perform for new audiences and solidifying Japan’s status as a key destination for major events.”
Kaori Hayashi
Kaori Hayashi, CEO of Hayashi International Promotions, added: “HIP has been the cornerstone of Japan’s live music scene for over 40 years, and our focus has always been on delivering incredible concerts for fans. This partnership with Live Nation allows us to expand our reach, offering Japanese artists opportunities to connect with new audiences and furthering Japan’s importance as a premier location for large-scale events.”
In a 2023 interview with MBW, Hayashi discussed the significant opportunities for international artists in the Japanese market:
“The biggest opportunity for an international artist is to genuinely connect with local music fans,” she noted. “Japanese acts account for nearly 90% of all tickets sold for live music in Japan. Bruno Mars is an example of this. He not only showcased incredible talent but demonstrated loyalty to his Japanese fans by performing regularly and promoting his shows actively.”
“He also cleverly integrated Japanese music on stage and interacted in Japanese, making him relatable to the fans. I believe this resonates deeply with the Japanese audience, and they truly appreciate his efforts.”
Live Nation acquires Hayashi International Promotions, one of Japan’s largest concert promoters
