Epic Records Japan
Epic Records Japan is a Japanese record label owned by Sony Music Labels Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Its founder was Shigeo Maruyama. (株式会社EPIC・ソニー), established in August 1978 and was later folded back into CBS/Sony Group in March 1988.
Also recorded as Epic/Sony Inc.
Epic Records Japan
- Name
- Epic Records Japan
- Founded
- Epic Records Japan was established or created in 1978.
- Headquarters
- Rokubanchō
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
Documentary summary
Epic Records Japan is a Japanese record label owned by Sony Music Labels Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Its founder was Shigeo Maruyama. (株式会社EPIC・ソニー), established in August 1978 and was later folded back into CBS/Sony Group in March 1988.
Admitted source layer · organised and presented by VALÉORINE
Note VALÉORINE
No house-authored Note is published until its assertions and sources pass the VALÉORINE evidence contract. The documentary article remains available in full while that enrichment is being consolidated.
Documentary enrichment in progress · no unsupported statement published
Reference Check
Propose documentary evidence for Epic Records Japan. A contribution is never written directly as fact: identity, source, rights and evidence gates still decide.
Sign in to contribute
Documentary evidence
Evidence Panel
not yet certified
- Identity
- resolved
- Independent source families
- 0
- Admitted assertions
- 0
- Open conflicts
- 0
Authority files
wikidata · Q846383 · wikipedia · Epic Records Japan
In this article
Overview
Overview
In 2001, it was re-established as Kabushiki Gaisha Epikku Rekoodo Japan. In 2014, Sony Music Records Inc. Absorbed Epic Records Japan Inc. Alongside other Sony Japan subsidiaries, changing its name to Sony Music Labels. Since the absorption, Epic Records Japan has operated as an imprint of Sony Music Labels. Notable music artists for this company have included Hikaru Utada, Tetsuya Komuro, and Kimiko Itoh.
Key facts
Key facts
• Website — epic-jp.net • Bgcolor — #fff100 • Name — Epic Records Japan • Parent — * Sony Music Labels Inc. (2014–present) • Previously • Sony Music Entertainment Japan (1991–1998, 2001–2014) • CBS Sony Group, Inc. (1983–1991) • CBS Sony Records (1978–1983) • Founded — (original) (relaunch) • Defunct — 1998 (original) • Founder — Shigeo Maruyama • Distributor — Sony Music Solutions • Genre — Various, mainly J-pop and J-rock, formerly video games • Country — Japan
Former imprints
Former imprints
• Antinos • Dohb Discs • So What? Records • Kowalski • mf Records (joint venture with Motoharu Sano) • Mint Age
Current artists
Current artists
• 2PM • 7!! • Abingdon Boys School • Akeboshi, Yoshio • And2ble • Angela Aki • Aqua Timez • Kousuke Atari • Aura • Brian the Sun • Centimillimental • Cinemusica • The Condors • Daisuke • Deen • Dreams Come True • Dustz • Hajime, Chitose • Got7 • Gyubin • Halcali • Hanabie. • Haneyuri • Hikaru Utada • Ikimono-gakari • Yuki • Sawa • LGMonkees (No Doubt Tracks/Epic) • LMYK • Lizabet • Yui Makino • Nao Matsushita • Yuya Matsushita • Yukie Nakama • Nangi • Naoto • Nexz • NiziU • No3b • Nodame Orchestra • Nothing's Carved in Stone • Pengin • Motoharu Sano (Epic/mf) • Shigi • Solita • Stance Punks (Epic/Kowalski/Dynamord) • Stray Kids • Sugaru, Matsutani (Epic/Informel) • Masaki Suda • Masayuki Suzuki • Takachiya • Yutaka Take • Theatre Brook • T.M.Revolution • Uranino • Anne Watanabe • Misato Watanabe • Yacht
Former artists
Former artists
• ViViD • Crystal Kay
Institutional history
Dated record
Institutional history
Explore 1978
The full dated record · 3 entries
1978
Epic Records Japan established.
1978
Epic Records Japan is recorded from 1978.
1978
Epic Records Japan was established or created in 1978.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
- Japan
Named but not plotted · 1
Epic Records Japan is associated with Japan.
Country
Games published
During the late 1980s and early 1990s they also published video games for Nintendo consoles. • 1987 - Tokoro-san no Mamoru mo Semeru mo for Famicom – developed by HAL Laboratory • 1988 - Vegas Dream for Famicom • 1989 - 飛ing ヒーロー Flying Hero for Famicom – developed by Aicom • 1989 - Tashiro Masashi no Princess ga Ippai for Famicom • 1990 - サッカー・ボーイ Soccer Boy = Soccer Mania for Game Boy • 1990 - Solstice for Famicom – developed by Software Creations (UK) • 1991 - RoboCop for Game Boy • 1991 - Hakunetsu Pro Yakyuu Ganba League = Extra Innings for Famicom – developed by Sting • 1991 - Jerry Ball = Smart Ball for Super Famicom • 1991 - Dragon's Lair for Famicom – developed by Motivetime • 1991 - Dragon's Lair for Game Boy – developed by Motivetime • 1991 - Altered Space for Game Boy • 1991 - Xenon 2: Megablast for X68000 and PC-98 - developed by The Bitmap Brothers • 1991 - Hudson Hawk for Famicom • 1992 - Hudson Hawk for Game Boy • 1992 - Robocop2 for Game Boy • 1992 - Hook for Famicom – developed by Ocean • 1992 - Hook for Game Boy – developed by Ocean • 1992 - Hook for Super Famicom – developed by Ukiyotei • 1992 - Ganba League '93 for Super Famicom – developed by Sting • 1993 - ユートピア = Utopia: The Creation of a Nation for Super Famicom • 1993 - Solstice II = Equinox for Super Famicom – developed by Software Creations • 1993 - Ganba League '94 • 1994 - Karura Ou = Skyblazer for Super Famicom – developed by Ukiyotei The video game name was dissolved shortly after the announcement of PlayStation, with all future titles went directly under the Sony Music Entertainment Japan banner.
Holdings and surviving copies
Where the work is held
Holdings and surviving copies
Where material relating to Epic Records Japan is held.
Documents and archives
Primary material
Documents and archives
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q846383: Epic Records Japan
Unverified · Wikidata
reference work
- “Epic Records Japan”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.History. Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Accessed October 3, 2010
- 2.CBS/Sony to Take Over 4 Subsidiaries. Jiji Press Ticker Service, February 12, 1988
- 3.EGM Media. Sony to Intro 32-Bit System!. Electronic Gaming Monthly. 53. 68. December 1993.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
authority record
Partially resolvedreference work
Partially resolved
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Music memorabilia
42,307 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- EpaksaPerson
- Ephraim AmuPerson
- Epic AmsterdamOrganisation
- Epic RecordsOrganisation
- Epic SoundtracksPerson
- Epic SoundtraxOrganisation
- Epic/SonyOrganisation
- Epifanio de los SantosPerson
Best supported in this field
For owners
Own an object connected with Epic Records Japan?
A specialist will read what you send and tell you what the house can establish, what it cannot, and whether the object is suited to sale. There is no charge and no obligation. The object stays with you throughout; nothing is shipped to us unless it is arranged in writing beforehand.