Former Avex USA CEO Founds Cross-Cultural Music Powerhouse
Naoki Osada Nebula17 which had been President and CEO of Avex USA has founded a large scale new entertainment company, Nebula17 which is out to put Japanese musical talent on the world stage. In mid 2025 Nebula17 which is not your typical record label reported it’s launch. This is an integrated entertainment player which also includes artist management, publishing, international business development and venture capital investment all under one roof. Based in LA this multi pronged company is to bring to the table the creative and cultural cool of Japanese artists and the business know how and market access of the U.S. music industry 356.
A Vision Born from Cross-Cultural Experience
Naoki Osada’s which is a rare background that propels him into this role. In 2004 he joins Avex Group in Japan which at the time was at the heart of the J-Pop scene there, there he refined his skills in artist repertoire (A&R) for J-Pop artists and also took on larger roles which included global expansion. His move to Los Angeles saw him take the helm as CEO of Avex USA which he used as a stage to present Japanese pop culture to the American entertainment scene. At Avex which was his base for many years his focus was that of a forward thinking leader which saw him tie in tech innovation with artist development and international culture exchange.
Osada graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles’ Anderson School of Management which he left with an MBA in 2015. That formal business education along with his strong creative base enabled him to lead the “Avex Future of Music” accelerator program a very innovative investment which put forward music tech start ups which include virtual concert and digital fan experience.
Nebula17: A Global Japanese Talent Community
A New Kind of Music Business Platform
With Osada and Nebula17 is at the forefront of an increasing world wide interest in Japanese music and culture which has been on the rise thanks to the global success of anime, fashion and in recent years the modern Japanese hip hop and pop scenes. Nebula17’s approach covers many aspects of the music business:
- Record Label: Supporting new Japanese artists and producers which have what it takes to make it in the U.S. and other global markets.
- Artist Management: Providing resources for growth in all aspects of today’s music careers which include but not limited to brand development, tour management, and digital fan engagement.
- International Strategy & Collaboration: Partnering with key industry partners in Japan and the U.S. for marketing coordination, joint projects, and cultural exchange.
- Venture Capital: Investing in innovative new models and technologies for music delivery and artist growth which continues to evolve from Osada’s heritage of bringing forward creative solutions.
High-Profile Backers Signal Confidence in Nebula17
Nebula17’s take off is supported by large scale investment and strategic alliances from key players in the Japanese entertainment scene. At the front of these investors is Akatsuki Inc., a large scale operator in Japan’s entertainment and game sectors. Akatsuki’s role goes beyond that of a financial backer which they do so out of a commitment to long term growth and also because of a shared vision for the global expansion of Japanese culture 56.
Partner Companies and Influencers Involved
Other key investors in this are high profile Japanese talent management companies which include:
- BMSG: Founded by SKY-HI (Mitsuhiro Hidaka), known for creativity in the Japanese hip hop scene.
- ASOBISYSTEM: Known for focus on Japanese youth subcultures and managing ATARASHII GAKKO!
- And Music: Agency representing Awich, Japan’s premier hip hop artist, and led by entrepreneur Toyoki Tanizaki.
Strategic Location and Studio Infrastructure in Hollywood
Nebula17’s home is in West Hollywood, California at a brand new studio which we have built for use as a center of art and international collaboration. We have put in state of the art recording studios, songwriting rooms and collaborative spaces which we designed to foster the growth of what we see as a very important relationship between U.S. and Japanese artists, producers and business people.
The studio serves as a platform for music production which also functions as a cultural crossroads where East meets West. In it’s atmosphere we see realization of Osada’s vision which is that the future of global pop music is in the blend of many cultural elements which in turn produce new boundary breaking sounds that resonate with international audience.
Publishing and Artist Representation
In terms of publishing, we present to you that which is Nebula17’s representation of songwriter producer Marcus Munroe, who also brings to the fold Japan’s very popular groups — GENERATIONS and BALLISTIK BOYZ from the EXILE TRIBE group. Also which is worth note is the fact that Marcus works with the international hit makers like David Arkwright which is into the social media star Bella Poarch, and also Jahnei Clarke which has written hits for the likes of 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj. These associations play to the companies’ strategy of that which is the blend of local Japanese talent with that of the global hit making talent 6.
A Different Approach to Japanese Music Going Global
Nebula17 is at the fore of a larger trend which sees Japanese content producers jumping into the global music stream scene to put out their own stories which they define, instead of what is put out by local and regional strategies. The company is a growth platform which supports artists through the full international ride from artist find and development, through to the release of music, live tour dates, and digital content marketing which is tailored to different cultures.
Nebula17 has put forth a unique model which brings together creative, technical, and business talent from Japan and the U.S. What we see in this model is a very different approach to international success for Japanese musicians. By growing talent in a global context and creating cross over between cultures and geographies the company is in fact redefining the way Japanese artists build global careers which also in turn may present a template for other non Western music markets.
Conclusion: A New Era for Japanese Artists on the Global Stage
Through the effort of Nebula17 Naoki Osada is at the cusp of bringing about a new age of Japanese music going global. Behind this is a who’s who from Japan’s talent and tech sectors and also we see in him a very advanced infrastructure in Hollywood which is at the base of this break away platform that is Nebula17 which in turn is dedicated to the growth of Japanese artists and in turn which is re shaping the cross cultural success in the 21st century music scene. innovation 6.
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