Sony Japan

Sony Japan is a Japanese record company that was incorporated in April 1991. Its predecessor, CBS/Sony Records Inc., was established in 1968 as a joint venture between Sony Corporation and U.S. conglomerate CBS to distribute music releases in Japan. Over the years, the company underwent several name changes, including becoming CBS/Sony Inc. in 1973 and CBS/Sony Group Inc. in 1983.

In March 1988, four wholly owned subsidiaries were merged into CBS/Sony Group: Epic/Sony Records Inc., Columbia Music Entertainment Inc., Sacra Music, and Ki/oon Music International. Until March 2007, Sony Music Japan also had its own North American sublabel called SMEJ Associated Records.

Today, Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. operates independently from the US-based Sony Music Entertainment Inc., which is owned by Sony Corporation of America. Many Japanese CDs released between 1991 and 2007 feature a mould manufacturing print around the center hole with the abbreviation 'SMJ' indicating it was pressed by Sony Music Japan.