Login
Login

Up-Front Group#Up-Front Promotion

{{short description|Japanese entertainment company}}

{{expand Japanese|アップフロントワークス|date=April 2021}}

{{More citations needed|date=June 2018}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Up-Front Group

| logo =

| caption =

| trading_name =

| native_name = {{lang|ja|アップフロントグループ}}

| native_name_lang =

| romanized =

| former type =

| type = {{lang|ja-latn|Kabushiki gaisha}}

| traded_as =

| industry = Music, entertainment

| genre =

| fate =

| predecessor =

| successor =

| foundation = {{start date and age|1983|1|14|df=yes}} (as Up-Front Agency Co., Ltd.)
Tokyo, Japan

| founder =

| location = Azabu-koei Building
28-12 Higashi-Azabu Ichichōme, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan 106-0044

| locations =

| area_served =

| key_people = Naoki Yamazaki (chairman and representative director)
Yukio Seto (president and executive director)
Junichiro Iwata (managing director)

| products =

| production =

| services =

| revenue =

| operating_income =

| net_income =

| aum =

| assets =

| equity =

| owner =

| num_employees =

| parent =

| divisions =

| subsid = Up-Front Promotion
Up-Front Works
Up-Front Books
Up-Front International
Up-Front DC
Up-Front Hawaii
etc.

| homepage = {{URL|www.ufg.co.jp/}}

| footnotes =

| intl =

| bodystyle =

}}

{{nihongo|Up-Front Group Co., Ltd.|株式会社アップフロントグループ|Kabushiki gaisha Appu-Furonto Gurūpu}} is a Japanese holding company for various entertainment companies.{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070527110106/http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/3175131/|url=http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/3175131/|title="でき婚"辻希美の所属プロが株式上場する！？|newspaper=Livedoor News|date=2007-05-22|archive-date=2007-05-27|access-date=2013-04-06}} Its subsidiaries include the talent agency Up-Front Promotion and Up-Front Works, a music production and sales company that manages such record labels as Zetima, Piccolo Town, and Hachama.

Artists

=Up-Front Promotion=

All groups under Up-Front Promotion are collectively known as Hello! Project.{{cite web|url=http://www.up-front-promotion.co.jp/artist | title=所属タレント | language=ja | publisher=Up-Front Promotion | access-date=2018-06-24}}{{cite web|url=https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1772862 | title=元カントリー・ガールズ稲場愛香、Juice＝Juiceに加入 8人体制で再始動 | language=ja | publisher=Model Press | date=2018-06-13 | access-date=2018-06-24}}

{{col-begin|width=50}}

{{col-2}}

Groups

{{col-2}}

Soloists/Entertainers

Trainees

{{col-end}}

=Up-Front Works=

{{col-begin}}

{{col-3}}

Groups

{{col-3}}

Soloists/Entertainers

{{col-3}}

{{col-end}}

Subsidiaries

= Zetima =

{{Infobox record label

| name = Zetima

| image =

| image_bg =

| parent = Up-Front Works Co. Ltd.

| founded = May 1993 (as One Up Music)

| distributor = Sony Music Entertainment Japan

| genre = {{hlist|J-pop|rock|kayōkyoku|enka}}

| country = Japan

| location = Tokyo

| url =

}}

{{nihongo4|Zetima|ゼティマ}} was originally founded in May 1993 as {{nihongo4|One Up Music|ワン・アップ・ミュージック|Wan Appu Myūjikku}}, a joint venture between the Up-Front Group and Warner Music Japan. In April 1998, Up-Front merged One Up with Y.J. Sounds to form Zetima. At the same time, Up-Front ended its distribution deal with Warner Music Japan and switched to Sony Music Entertainment Japan.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}

;Artists

;Former artists

= Hachama =

{{Infobox record label

| name = Hachama

| image =

| image_bg =

| parent = Up-Front Works Co. Ltd.

| founded = April 2001

| distributor = Pony Canyon

| genre = {{hlist|J-pop|rock}}

| country = Japan

| location = Tokyo

| url =

}}

{{nihongo4|Hachama|ハチャマ}} has a distribution deal with Pony Canyon.

;Artists

;Former artists

{{clear}}

= Piccolo Town =

{{Infobox record label

| name = Piccolo Town

| image =

| image_bg =

| parent = Up-Front Works Co. Ltd.

| founded = April 2001

| distributor = Pony Canyon

| genre = {{hlist|J-pop|folk|children's}}

| country = Japan

| location = Tokyo

| url =

}}

{{nihongo4|Piccolo Town|ピッコロタウン|Pikkoro Taun}} had a distribution deal with King Records from April 2001 to August 2013, when it switched to Pony Canyon in September 2013.

;Artists

  • Bitter & Sweet

;Former artists

{{clear}}

= Rice Music =

{{Infobox record label

| name = Rice Music

| image =

| image_bg =

| parent = Up-Front Works Co. Ltd.

| founded = March 1995 (as Y.J. Sounds)

| distributor = Pony Canyon

| genre = {{hlist|Kayōkyoku|enka}}

| country = Japan

| location = Tokyo

| url =

}}

{{nihongo4|Rice Music|ライス・ミュージック|Raisu Myūjikku}} was originally founded in March 1995 as {{nihongo4|Y.J. Sounds|Y.J.サウンズ|Wai Jei Saunzu}}. After being absorbed into Zetima in 1998, the label was resurrected in September 2004 to focus on Kayōkyoku and enka. Like Piccolo Town, Rice Music had a distribution deal with King Records from September 2004 to August 2013, when it switched to Pony Canyon in September 2013.

;Artists

  • Hirofumi Banba
  • Takao Horiuchi
  • Akira Kagawa
  • Jirō Sugita
  • Gen Takayama
  • Masayuki Yuhara

;Former artists

{{clear}}

= Up-Front Works =

{{Infobox record label

| name = Up-Front Works

| image =

| image_bg =

| parent = Up-Front Works Co. Ltd.

| founded = March 2004

| distributor =

| genre = J-pop

| country = Japan

| location = Tokyo

| url =

}}

{{nihongo4|Up-Front Works|アップフロントワークス|Appu Furonto Wākusu}} is Up-Front Group's in-house label that specializes in limited edition releases that are sold either online or exclusively at music chains such as Tower Records. The label previously had distribution deals with Pony Canyon, Daiki Sound, and Universal Music Japan before 2019.

;Artists

{{clear}}

= Up-Front Indies =

{{Infobox record label

| name = Up-Front Indies

| image =

| image_bg =

| parent = Up-Front Works Co. Ltd.

| founded = May 2019

| distributor =

| genre = {{hlist|J-pop|rock|soundtrack}}

| country = Japan

| location = Tokyo

| url =

}}

{{nihongo4|Up-Front Indies|アップフロントインディーズ|Appu Furonto Indīzu}} is Up-Front Group's indie in-house label founded in May 2019.

;Artists

{{clear}}

= Chichūkai Label =

{{Infobox record label

| name = Chichūkai Label

| image = Image:Chichukai label.png

| image_bg =

| parent = Up-Front Works Co. Ltd.

| founded = 2003

| defunct = December 2009

| distributor = Epic Records Japan

| genre = Classic, Euro-enka

| country = Japan

| location = Tokyo

| url =

}}

{{nihongo4|Chichūkai Label|地中海 Label|The Mediterranean Sea Label}} was founded in 2003, with music inspired by those of the countries by the Mediterranean Sea, most prominently France, Italy and Greece, or even cover versions of songs from those countries. The label was handled by Epic Records Japan until December 2009, when Up-Front consolidated it with Zetima.

;Former artists

{{clear}}

Former artists

{{col-begin}}

{{col-3}}

=Affiliated with Up-Front Promotion=

  • Michiyo Heike (1997-2001)
  • Morning Musume
  • Asuka Fukuda (1997-1999)
  • Aya Ishiguro (1997-2000)
  • Sayaka Ichii (1998-2000)
  • Yuko Nakazawa (1997-2009)
  • Maki Goto (1999-2007){{cite news | url=https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1801262 | title=後藤真希、芸能界引退を考えた過去 引き止めたのは？ | language=ja | work=Model Press | date=2018-10-27 | access-date=2018-11-03 }}
  • Kei Yasuda (1998-2003)
  • Natsumi Abe (1997-2004)
  • Nozomi Tsuji (2000-2004)
  • Ai Kago (2000-2004)
  • Kaori Iida (1997-2005)
  • Mari Yaguchi (1998-2005)
  • Rika Ishikawa (2000-2005)
  • Asami Konno (2001-2006)
  • Makoto Ogawa (2001-2006)
  • Hitomi Yoshizawa (2000-2007)
  • Miki Fujimoto (2003-2007)
  • Koharu Kusumi (2005-2009)
  • Eri Kamei (2003-2010)
  • Jun Jun (2007-2010)
  • Lin Lin (2007-2010)
  • Ai Takahashi (2001-2011)
  • Risa Niigaki (2001-2012)
  • Reina Tanaka (2003-2013)
  • Sayumi Michishige (2003-2014)
  • Kanon Suzuki (2011-2016)
  • Haruka Kudo (2011-2017)
  • Aika Mitsui (2007-2018)
  • Riho Sayashi (2011-2018){{cite news | url=http://helloproject.com/news/9630/ | title=鞘師里保に関するお知らせ | language=ja | work=Up-Front Works | date=2018-12-07 | access-date=2018-12-17 }}
  • Haruna Ogata (2014-2018)
  • Haruna Iikubo (2011-2018)
  • Masaki Sato (2011-2021)
  • Chisaki Morito (2017-2022)
  • Kaede Kaga (2016-2022)
  • Mizuki Fukumura (2011-2023)
  • Ayumi Ishida (2011-2024)
  • Erina Ikuta (2011-2025)
  • Chinatsu Miyoshi (1999-2000)
  • T&C Bomber (1999-2000)
  • Atsuko Inaba (1999-2009)
  • Melon Kinenbi (1999-2010)
  • Aya Matsuura (2000-2017)
  • Sheki-Dol (2000-2002)
  • W (2004-2006)
  • Ai Kago (2000-2007){{cite web|url= http://www.helloproject.com/newslist/kago_0703261829.html|title=加護亜依 一部報道記事について|author=Yuukichi Kawaguchi|publisher=Up-Front Agency |date= 2007-03-26|language= ja|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403210334/http://www.helloproject.com/newslist/kago_0703261829.html |archive-date=2007-04-03}}
  • Coconuts Musume (1998-2008)
  • Chelsea Ching (1998-2000)
  • April Barbaran (1998-2000)
  • Danielle DeLaunay (1998-2001)
  • Lehua Sandbo (2000-2002)
  • Mika Todd (1998-2004)
  • Ayaka Kimura (1998-2008)
  • Country Musume (1999-2000)
  • Hiromi Yanagihara (1999)
  • Azusa Kobayashi (1999-2002)
  • Rinne Toda (1999-2002)
  • Asami Kimura (2000-2007)
  • Miuna Saito (2003-2007)
  • Rika Ishii (2001-2002)
  • SINA (2008-2011)
  • Manami Iwashima (2005-2011)
  • Asami Abe (2005-2011)
  • Ai Suma (2005-2011)
  • Nana Nakayama (2005-2009)
  • Shim Min (2003-2006)
  • V-u-den (2004-2008)
  • Yui Okada (2004-2010){{col-3}}
  • Hello! Project Kids (2002-2005)
  • Berryz Kobo (2004-2014){{cite news|url=http://www.helloproject.com/berryzkobo/news/1902/ |title=Berryz工房：ニュース｜ハロー！プロジェクト オフィシャルサイト |language=ja |work=Up-Front Works |access-date=2014-08-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805204109/http://www.helloproject.com/berryzkobo/news/1902/ |archive-date=2014-08-05 }}
  • Maiha Ishimura (2002-2005){{cite web|url=http://www.helloproject.com/newslist/050911-1.html |title=Berryz工房 石村舞波 卒業のお知らせ |date=2005-09-11 |publisher=Hello! Project |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125113523/http://www.helloproject.com/newslist/050911-1.html |archive-date=2005-11-25}}
  • Momoko Tsugunaga (2002-2017){{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/notes/up-front-link/en-concerning-momoko-tsugunaga/1208580165867565 |title=[EN] Concerning Momoko Tsugunaga |author=Up Front Link |date=2016-11-05| access-date=2017-06-17|publisher=Facebook}}{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2093405/full/|title=ももち、"らしさ"満点でアイドル引退 ももち結びも一夜限り復活 |publisher=Oricon|date=2017-06-30|access-date=2017-07-23|language=ja}}
  • Cute (2005-2017){{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/notes/up-front-link/en-announcement-concerning-ute/1141354845923431 |title=[EN] Announcement concerning °C-ute |author=Up Front Link |date=2016-08-19| access-date=2017-06-17|publisher=Facebook}}{{cite news|url=https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1693178 |title=°C-ute解散で12年間の歴史に幕 ラストコンサートに中澤裕子・道重さゆみら駆けつける＜セットリスト＞ |language=ja |work=Model Press |date=2017-06-12| access-date=2017-06-17}}
  • Megumi Murakami (2002-2006){{cite web|url=http://www.helloproject.com/newslist/murakami_0611011700.html |title=『°C-ute 村上 愛』について皆様へ大事なお知らせ |date=2006-11-01|publisher=Hello! Project |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061103031213/http://www.helloproject.com/newslist/murakami_0611011700.html |archive-date=2006-11-03}}
  • Kanna Arihara (2004-2009){{cite web|title=『°C-ute 有原栞菜』に関する大事なお知らせ |url=http://www.helloproject.com/news/0907110000_arihara.html |date=2009-07-11 |publisher=Hello! Project |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018024549/http://www.helloproject.com/news/0907110000_arihara.html |archive-date=2009-10-18 }}
  • Erika Umeda (2002-2009){{cite web|title=『°C-ute 梅田えりか』に関する大事なお知らせ |url=http://www.helloproject.com/news/0908012000_cute.html |date=2009-08-01 |publisher=Hello! Project |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003043223/http://www.helloproject.com/news/0908012000_cute.html |archive-date=2009-10-03 }}
  • Mai Hagiwara (2002-2017){{cite web|url=http://ameblo.jp/c-ute-official/entry-12278348105.html |title=今後について 萩原舞 |author=Mai Hagiwara |date=2017-05-27 |language=ja |access-date=2017-06-17|publisher=Ameba Blogs}}
  • Miki Korenaga (2004-2010)
  • Angerme
  • Saki Ogawa (2009-2011)
  • Yuuka Maeda (2009-2011)
  • Fuyuka Kosuga (2011)
  • Kanon Fukuda (2009-2019)
  • Meimi Tamura (2011–2016)
  • Maho Aikawa (2014–2017)
  • Ayaka Wada (2009–2019)
  • Rina Katsuta (2011–2019)
  • Kana Nakanishi (2011–2019)
  • Mizuki Murota (2014-2020)
  • Musubu Funaki (2017-2020)
  • Momona Kasahara (2016-2021)
  • Haruka Oota (2018-2022)
  • Akari Takeuchi (2011-2023)
  • Rikako Sasaki (2014-2024)
  • Ayano Kawamura (2017-2024)
  • Moe Kamikokuryo (2015-2025)
  • Juice=Juice
  • Aina Otsuka (2013)
  • Nanami Yanagawa (2017-2019)
  • Yuka Miyazaki (2013-2019)
  • Karin Miyamoto (2013-2020)
  • Sayuki Takagi (2013-2021)
  • Tomoko Kanazawa (2013-2021)
  • Manaka Inaba (2018-2022)
  • Akari Uemura (2013-2024)
  • Country Girls (2014-2019)
  • Uta Shimamura (2014-2015)
  • Manaka Inaba (2014-2016)
  • Momoko Tsugunaga (2014-2017)
  • Nanami Yanagawa (2015-2019)
  • Risa Yamaki (2014-2019)
  • Mai Ozeki (2014-2019)
  • Musubu Funaki (2015-2019)
  • Chisaki Morito (2014-2019)
  • Magnolia Factory (2015-2020)
  • Rio Fujii (2015-2017)
  • Rena Ogawa (2015-2017)
  • Natsumi Taguchi (2015-2017)
  • Ayaka Hirose (2015-2020)
  • Minami Nomura (2015-2020)
  • Ayano Hamaura (2015-2020)
  • Sakurako Wada (2015-2020)
  • Camellia Factory
  • Risa Ogata (2015-2020)
  • Kiki Asakura (2015-2023)
  • Riko Yamagishi (2015-2023)
  • Yumeno Kishimoto (2015-2023)
  • Kisora Niinuma (2015-2024)
  • Shiori Yagi (2021-2025)
  • Beyooooonds
  • Reina Ichioka (2018-2024)
  • Yuhane Yamazaki (2018-2024)
  • Rika Shimakura (2018-2025)
  • Ocha Norma
  • Sumire Tashiro (2021-2025)
  • Kanami Ishiguri (2021-2025)

Sub-units

{{col-3}}

Project groups

  • Gomattou (2002)
  • Romans (2003)
  • Tomoiki Ki wo Uetai (2005-2013)
  • Rie Kaneko (2009-2013)
  • Asuna Okai (2009-2010)
  • Mia Sainen (2009-2010)
  • Kaori Sano (2009-2010)
  • Ongaku Gatas (2007-2010)
  • Arisa Noto (2004-2009){{cite news|url=http://www.helloproject.com/news/0908101000_noto.html |title=ハロプロエッグ 能登有沙に関してのお知らせ | date=2009-08-10 | work=Up-Front Works |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908202532/http://www.helloproject.com:80/news/0908101000_noto.html |archive-date=2009-09-08 |url-status=dead }}
  • Yuri Sawada (2004-2009){{cite news|url=http://www.helloproject.com/news/0908101000_sawada.html |title=ハロプロエッグ 澤田由梨に関してのお知らせ | date=2009-08-10 | work=Up-Front Works |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090829213125/http://www.helloproject.com:80/news/0908101000_sawada.html |archive-date=2009-08-29 |url-status=dead }}
  • Nochiura Natsumi (2004-2005)
  • Ecomoni (2004-2007)
  • Aa! (2003-2009)
  • ZYX (2003-2009)
  • Def.Diva (2005-2007)
  • GAM (2006-2009)
  • Athena & Robikerottsu (2007-2008)
  • Kira Pika (2007)
  • MilkyWay (2008-2009)
  • Sayaka Kitahara (2004-2011)
  • High-King (2008-2015)
  • Shugo Chara Egg! (2008-2010)
  • Irori Maeda (2008-2010)
  • Guardians 4 (2009-2010){{cite news | url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/15121 | title=ハロプロ新ユニット、ガーディアンズ4におまかせ | trans-title=Leave it to Guardians 4, Hello Pro new unit | language=ja | work=Natalie | date=2009-04-06 | access-date=2019-09-25}}
  • Lilpri (2010-2011)

Shuffle units

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Affiliated with Up-Front Works=

{{col-2}}

  • Up Up Girls Kakko Kari
  • Minami Sengoku (2004-2017)
  • Aika Mitsui (2006-2018){{cite news | url=https://www.asahi.com/and_M/interest/entertainment/Cfettp01811031765.html | title=元モー娘。光井愛佳が芸能界引退、料理の道へ進む | language=ja | work=Asahi Shimbun | date=2018-11-03 | access-date=2018-11-08}}
  • Ships (2008-2009){{cite web| url=http://www.up-front-works.jp/artistlist/47/index.html | title=SHIPS | language=ja | work=Up-Front Works | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312082645/http://www.up-front-works.jp/artistlist/47/index.html | archive-date=2009-03-12}}
  • Alma Kaminiito (2012-2013)
  • Munehiko Ohno (2012-2013)
  • Team Makenki (2014-2018){{cite news | url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000155938 | title=吉川友、初バンドツアー開幕。"甘いきっか"と"甘くないきっか"で死角なし | language=ja | work=BARKS | date=2018-06-05 | access-date=2018-12-19}}
  • Ciao Bella Cinquetti (2008-2018){{cite news| url=http://www.up-front-create.com/news/8467 | title=チャオ ベッラ チンクエッティに関しての大事なお知らせ | language=ja | work=Up-Front Create | date=2018-04-24 | access-date=2018-10-24}}{{cite news| url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2110192/full | title=チャオベラ、結成12周年で解散 紆余曲折の元ハロプロエッグ4人組 | language=ja | work=Oricon | date=2018-04-24 | access-date=2018-10-24}}

{{col-end}}

=Affiliated with TNX=

Collectively known as Nice Girl Project!. Best known for assisting in Nintendo's Rhythm Heaven series after being discovered by Tsunku.

  • Nice Girl Myu
  • GTT Club
  • MM Gakuen Gasshoubu
  • Gyaruru
  • Ami Tokito
  • Nice Girl Project! Kenshusei
  • Canary Club
  • Tokky

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • {{Official website|http://www.ufg.co.jp/}}

{{Up-Front Group}}

{{Hello! Project}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Mass media companies based in Tokyo

Category:Holding companies established in 1983

Category:Conglomerate companies based in Tokyo

Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Japan

Category:Holding companies based in Tokyo

Category:Hello! Project

Category:Labels distributed by CJ E&M Music and Live

Category:Japanese talent agencies

Category:Japanese record labels

Category:Japanese companies established in 1983