FOUNDER

Misa Watanabe is the founder (Watanabe Productions and Watanabe Music Publishing Co.,Ltd.) and serves as the Honorary Chairperson of Music Publishers Association of Japan, contributing unceasingly to the modernization and internationalization of the Japanese music industry for half a century. She has participated in MIDEM since its first launch in 1967 and continues to have a profound relationship with international music industry professionals and artists. Her efforts enhanced and contributed to the growth of the Japanese music industry and music culture. The achievements of Misa Watanabe have eventually made a mark on international music industry.
Under her leadership, WATANABE has become one of Japan music industry's most successful and respected companies.

1950s

1955
APR

ESTABLISHED WATANABE PRODUCTION
With Watanabe's founder and former president,her late husband Shin WATANABE,Mrs.Misa WATANABE, introduced a new management concept and system which resulted in the complete rationalization and modemization of a Japanese entertainment company, namely"PRODUCTION".
1958
FEB

PRODUCED "WESTERN CARNIVAL"AT NICHIGEKI,"NIHONGEKIJO",IN TOKYO
Over 60 of the hottest musicians performed at this event.Western carnival scored record-breaking box office success.This sensational event soon became a social phenomenon.It marked the dawn of a new era of the youth scene. The event continued successfully through1981,but not before leading the way in Japanese popular culture,whose spirit contributed and influenced economic and social development in Japan.
1959
APR

REFORMED TO WATANABE PRODUCTION COMPANY LTD.APPOINTED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
She had the foresight to recognize that not only did an artist need a fantastic production,but also an equal if not more effort to market the product all the way to the marketplace.She knew that this would requlre an effective in-place system which would bring all the many different departments together,to launch each arlist and or product.

1960s

1960
APR

STARTED TV PRODUCTIONS
Coinciding with the opening of Fuji Television, WATANABE launched its own television productions. Under her direction WATANABE specifically produced programs which communicated and touched the hearts of television viewers throuthout Japan.
1962
OCT

ESTABLISHED WATANABE MUSIC PUBLISHING CO.,LTD.APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Having produced the first-ever Phonograph masters as a music publisher in Japan,WATANABE was the first company to establish full copyright administration services for every music title registered in Japan. WATANABE's entry and introduction of innovative ideas have heightened its social status,bringing economical stability to the business of music publishers.
1964
MAY

ESTABLISHED WATANABE KIKAKU CO.,LTD. APPOINTED TO EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Initially formed as a TV commercial production company,it has also grown to play an intricate part of WATANABE's overall marketing of its artists,and TV Productions as well.

1970s

1970
DEC

APPOINTED CHIEF PRODUCER FOR POP MUSIC AT EXPO 1970,JAPAN'S FIRST WORLD EXPOSlTION
As the chief producer of this very special international event,Misa WATANABE's selection of international entertainers included some of the world's renowned artists:Sammy Davis,Jr.,Andy Williams,The Fifth Dimension,Marlene Dietrich,Gilbert Becaud and so on. Her poweful productions with those entertainers greatly contributed to the overall success of "EXPO 1970", and also created and developed a great deal of international cultural exchange with many countries and people.Always creative and with a wealth of knowledge, Misa WATANABE was positively acknowledged and her work was highly acclaimed in all over the world.
1971
MAR

APPOINTED DIRECTOR
RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF JAPAN
OCT

(to present)
ELECTED COUNCELOR
JAPANESE SOCIETY FOR RIGHTS OF AUTHORS,COMPOSERS AND PUBLISHERS
1973
SEP

APPOINTED DIRECTOR
MUSIC PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION OF JAPAN

1980s

1980
MAY

ELECTED VICE CHAIRMAN
MUSIC PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION OF JAPAN
1982
JAN

ELECTED EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF POPULAR MUSIC PUBUSHERS
1987
NOV

APPOINTED CHAIRWOMAN
WATANABE PRODUCTION
1989
NOV

APPOINTED CHAIRWOMAN
WATANABE MUSIC PUBLISHING CO.,LTD.

1990s

1991
JUN

25TH ANNUAL MIDEM HELD
However, Misa WATANABE was unable to participate,due to the Gulf War.Celebrating its 25th Anniversary,MIDEM Organization honored and bestowed a special award on 12 of the most internationally accomplished personalities for their great support and contribution toward the growth of the music industry, Misa WATANABE was one of the twelve.
1992
JAN

MUSIC PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION OF JAPAN ESTABLISHED JAPAN'S FIRST BOOTH IN MIDEM '92
MAY

REELECTED EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF POPULAR MUSIC PUBLISHERS
JUL

ATTENDED INTERNATlONAL FEDERATION OF POPULAR MUSIC PUBUSHERS GENERAL MEETING HELD IN NEW YORK
1993
MAR

ELECTED CHAIRWOMAN MUSIC PUBUSHERS ASSOCIATION OF JAPAN

APPOINTED DIRECTOR (to present) SOCIETY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF REMUNERATION FOR AUDIO HOME RECORDING

ELECTED VICE CHAIRMAN
THE FOUNDATION FOR PROMOTION OF MUSIC INDUSTRY AND CULTURE
1994
SEP

ATTENDED INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF SOCIETIES OF AUTHORS AND COMPOSERS GENERAL MEETING HELD IN WASHINGTON D.C.

ATTENDED NATIONAL MUSIC PUBUSHERS' ASSOCIATION GENERAL MEETING
Misa WATANABE was invited by Edward P. Murphy, President of NMPA, to the reception at the White House.
1997
MAY

HONORED AT ASIA MIDEM '97 FOR THE CONTRIBUTION TO MIDEM FOR 30 YEARS FROM MIDEM ORGANIZATION AND NAMED BY THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT AS; "Chevalier dans I'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres".
1999
JUN

JAPANESE SOCIETY FOR RIGHTS OF AUTHORS, COMPOSERS AND PUBUSHERS AWARDED HER FOR "LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT".
JUL

HONORABLE AWARD WAS CITED BY MINISTER OF EDUCATION AS "SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR, COMMEMORATING 100 th ANNIVERSARY OF JAPAN'S COPYRIGHT LAW".

2001-

2001
JUN

REELECTED CHAIRWOMAN
MUSIC PUBUSHERS ASSOCIATION OF JAPAN
2004
FEB

AWARDED WITH A PRIZE "Palme d'Or" THE HIGHEST HONOR OF THE CITY OF CANNES. AWARDED A DECORATION "Officier dans I'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" BY FRENCH GOVERNMENT.
JUN

ELECTED HONORARY CHAIRPERSON
MUSIC PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION OF JAPAN
2018
JUNE

HONORED AT MIDEM 2018 FOR THE CONTRIBUTION TO GLOBAL MUSIC PUBLISHING “THE RALPH PEER II AWARD” BY ICMP