Music Export Canada Presents: CIMA’s Business and Showcase Mission to Japan


CIMA is excited to reveal the artists and companies who will be participating in our fifth trade mission to Japan in February, 2018.

Japan is the second largest music market in the world, ranking first in the world for physical sales. The market offers an array of opportunities for Canadian music companies. There is a clear and demonstrated appetite for foreign music in Japan, which creates a path of opportunity for Canadian independents to travel.

The mission will run from February 5-9, 2018 and will include 2 planned Canadian Blast showcases, B2B networking receptions with Japanese music executives, round table sessions to learn about and make contacts from different areas of the Japanese music industry, consultations with in-market specialists and more.

This year’s Mission will include 8 Canadian artists performing at two important showcase opportunities – a public concert and showcase at duo MUSIC EXCHANGE in Tokyo, and ?another at the prestigious Oscar Peterson Theatre at the Canadian Embassy.

Performing for the music industry and public at the Duo Music Exchange on February 6, and promoted by one of Japan’s largest promoters, Creativeman Productions, are Bright Righteous (Pipe & Hat), Luca Fogale (Amelia Artists), Kandle (Sleepless Records) and USS (Coalition Music).

On February 7, Music Export Canada presents an invitation-only show at the Oscar Peterson Theatre in the Embassy of Canada to Japan. Artists are Ann Vriend (AV Music), Ellen Doty (Alma Records), Ensign Broderick (Six Shooter Records) and Lydia Persaud (Outside Music).

The following companies, including the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) are participating in the Mission:

Alma Records

Amelia Artists

AV Music

Coalition Music

Justin Time Records

Pipe & Hat Music Group

Outside Music

Sleepless Records

Six Shooter Records

Watson Entertainment

For the CIMA Music Mission to Japan, CIMA acknowledges our ongoing partnership with the Embassy of Canada to Japan (Tokyo).


CIMA gratefully acknowledges and thanks our generous sponsors and partners Canadian Music Week (CMW), the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR), the Government of Canada (through the Canada Music Fund), Harvard Broadcasting, Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), the Radio Starmaker Fund and Stingray Music.