Recently, the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers (JASRAC) announced that Tetsuya Gen has been reelected as chairman and will begin his second term as of April 1st. This news provides an excellent opportunity to reaffirm Gen’s achievements and his influence in the Japanese music industry.
Born in Chiba Prefecture in 1947, Tetsuya Gen began his career as a singer before establishing himself as a composer. He made his debut as a composer in 1976 with “Oyuki” (sung by Kunio Naito), and since then, he has produced numerous hit songs. Some of his notable works include Sayuri Ishikawa’s “Amagi-goe,” Yujiro Ishihara’s “Kita no Tabibito,” Miyuki Kawana’s “Futari Sake,” Hiroshi Itsuki’s “Jinsei Kakurenbo,” Harumi Miyako’s “Otaru Canal,” and Kaori Mizumori’s “Tottori Sand Dunes,” among others. To date, he has composed over 2,500 songs.
Gen is a highly respected figure in the music industry, having received numerous awards, including the Japan Record Award’s “Yoshida Masashi Award” and the “Composition Award.” His extensive experience and achievements have also seen him serve five terms as a JASRAC councilor and three terms as a director, as well as chairing the Distribution Committee.
With his reelection, Gen will serve as chairman until March 31, 2026. There is significant interest from both within and outside the industry regarding the direction JASRAC will take in managing and protecting music copyrights during his tenure.
Additionally, at the regular general meeting of members scheduled for June 26, new directors and auditors are expected to be appointed. There is great anticipation for how JASRAC will operate under the new leadership and how it will develop under Gen’s guidance.
Personally, I feel the importance of music copyright on a daily basis. As demonstrated by Gen’s reelection, the management and protection of music copyrights are essential for safeguarding the rights of creators and supporting the overall development of the industry. I intend to keep a close eye on JASRAC’s future activities and stay updated with the latest information.
