Pacific Music Group (PMG) has launched a Tokyo office, PMG Japan, and signed Japanese rapper JP THE WAVY.
The rapper has joined PMG on a long-term 360 deal covering recorded music and management, the company announced today (October 8).
PMG says JP THE WAVY is PMG Japan’s first major signing and that he will begin releasing new music through the partnership this fall.
PMG, which is headquartered in Hong Kong, was launched in November 2025 by NE-YO, Sonu Nigam, MC Jin, and Jonathan Serbin.
Serbin, PMG’s CEO, previously served as Co-President of Warner Music Asia, a post he was appointed to in 2021.
The Tokyo office will be co-led by Tomomi Takeshima and MiMi Shimada.
According to PMG, the hub will cover artist development, recorded music, management, promotion, brand partnerships, and cross-border collaboration.
The company says the office will work in two directions: taking Japanese artists to audiences outside the country and bringing international acts to fans in Japan and across Asia.
For JP THE WAVY, PMG says its plans include growing his audience across Asia and pursuing opportunities in the United States and other Western markets.
Beyond recorded music and management, PMG says the deal also covers audience development, collaborations, live opportunities, and brand partnerships.
JP THE WAVY broke through in 2017 with his single Cho Wavy De Gomenne.
In 2021, he teamed up with Good Gas on Bushido, from the official soundtrack to F9: The Fast Saga.
“JP THE WAVY has already established himself as a defining voice in Japanese hip-hop, and we’re honored to help write the next chapter of his career,” said Jonathan Serbin, CEO of Pacific Music Group.
“Our goal with PMG Japan is to give artists like him the infrastructure and global reach to compete on the world stage while staying true to what makes them unique. This is just the beginning.”
“Our goal with PMG Japan is to give artists like him the infrastructure and global reach to compete on the world stage while staying true to what makes them unique. This is just the beginning.”
Jonathan Serbin, Pacific Music Group
“I’m excited to join PMG and take my music to the next level, not just in Japan, but everywhere,” said JP THE WAVY. “This partnership gives me the platform to keep pushing my sound forward and connect with fans around the world. New music is coming this fall, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”
“This partnership gives me the platform to keep pushing my sound forward and connect with fans around the world. New music is coming this fall, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”
JP THE WAVY
“Launching PMG Japan brings together two perspectives we believe are essential to building something lasting in this market: a deep, hands-on understanding of Japan’s music industry and the artists within it, and an international vantage point shaped by years of working across borders in the global music business,” said Takeshima and Shimada in a joint statement.
“That combination is what allows us to do more than simply send Japanese artists abroad or bring international opportunities into Japan – it lets us build both directions of that bridge at once, grounded in real relationships here in Japan and connected to Pacific Music Group’s global network.
“We want PMG Japan to become a hub where local insight and global reach work together – respecting each artist’s individuality and vision, rooted in Japan’s distinctive culture and creativity, and open to everything that becomes possible when talent and business can grow across borders.”
“We want PMG Japan to become a hub where local insight and global reach work together – respecting each artist’s individuality and vision, rooted in Japan’s distinctive culture and creativity, and open to everything that becomes possible when talent and business can grow across borders.”
Tomomi Takeshima and MiMi Shimada, PMG Japan
Japan, the world’s second-largest recorded music market, returned to growth in 2025, with wholesale recorded music revenues up 8.9% YoY after a flat 2024, according to IFPI‘s Global Music Report 2026.
IFPI’s 2025 Top 10 included two other Asian markets: China at No.4 and South Korea at No.7.
At PMG’s launch, Serbin said: “With half the world’s population and three of the top ten music markets, the region is primed to lead on the world stage.”
The Tokyo launch follows a series of moves by PMG this year.
In March, PMG became the exclusive Asia manager and global record label for TaTa Taktumi, the AI artist from Timbaland‘s Stage Zero.
In April, PMG Korea, the company’s Seoul-based arm led by CEO Samuel Ku, signed Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany Young as its first artist.
In September, PMG struck a strategic partnership with Kaskade covering all Asian territories.
Alongside the Japan launch, PMG has added three more artists from the region to its roster: Fyeqoodgurl from Thailand, Nasi from Taiwan, and Zolie Chan from Hong Kong.
According to PMG, Fyeqoodgurl is an R&B singer-songwriter from Chiang Mai who went viral with a cover of NewJeans’ Hype Boy and appeared on Mnet’s Queendom Puzzle.
PMG says Nasi, an artist of Seediq heritage, placed third on The Voice of China before signing with Warner Music Taiwan.
Zolie Chan, according to the company, writes English and Mandarin pop songs and ballads that draw on her Malaysian and Hong Kong heritage.
PMG’s labels include Pacific Records, electronic and dance imprint Ghostone Records, and hip-hop imprint Family Style Records.
Ghostone Records was PMG’s first label imprint, with Thai DJ and producer 22Bullets as president and Lizzy Wang as its first signing.
Family Style Records launched in May with MC Jin as president.
PMG’s roster also includes NE-YO, Sonu Nigam, MC Jin, Lil Cherry & GOLDBUUDA, NADA, KHANTRAST, and BRYN.
The company says it now has a presence in Hong Kong, Seoul, and Tokyo, backed by teams in China, India, and Southeast Asia.Music Business Worldwide
