Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers

JASRAC (Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers) is Japan's oldest and largest copyright management organization, founded in 1939 and headquartered in Tokyo. It manages the public performance, broadcasting, streaming, reproduction, and synchronization rights of musical works on behalf of over 119,000 creators and 3,330 music publishers, with a catalog of over 4 million works under management.

How JASRAC Works

JASRAC issues licenses to radio stations, television networks, streaming services, live concert venues, restaurants, retail stores, karaoke establishments, and any business that uses music publicly in Japan. License fees are collected and distributed to rights holders based on detailed usage data from broadcast logs, streaming reports, concert set lists, and karaoke performance data.

JASRAC distributes royalties four times per year: in March, June, September, and December. The distribution cycle typically lags 6 to 12 months behind actual usage, depending on the revenue source. For example, streaming royalties reflect income from 6 to 12 months prior, while live concert royalties are distributed based on set lists submitted by event organizers.

In fiscal 2025 (April 2025 to March 2026), JASRAC collected 152.3 billion JPY and distributed 151.8 billion JPY (approximately 1.02 billion USD), both record highs. This was the first time annual distributions exceeded 150 billion JPY. The March 2026 distribution alone reached 42.4 billion JPY, the first single-period distribution to surpass 40 billion JPY.

Interactive transmissions (streaming and video services) generated approximately 59.4 billion JPY (up 11.7% year-on-year), driven by growth in music subscription services and video streaming platforms. Audio disc distributions reached 7.76 billion JPY (up 11.8%), fueled by male idol groups and K-pop artists. Live concert distributions totaled 6.79 billion JPY (up 5.9%), while major live concerts generated 6.94 billion JPY (up 39.1%).

Foreign income from performances reached 1.92 billion JPY (up 13.2%), driven by online royalties from the United States and Germany. Foreign income from reproduction reached 610 million JPY (up 47.5%). JASRAC distributes royalties through 121 foreign copyright management organizations, reaching 568,990 creators and 64,267 publishers internationally.

The June 2026 distribution period continued this momentum, with 35.8 billion JPY distributed (up 3.2% year-on-year), another record for the June period.

Membership is open to songwriters, composers, arrangers, and music publishers. JASRAC operates as a non-profit organization under Japan's Copyright Act and the Act on Management Business of Copyright and Neighboring Rights.

Real-World Example

A Japanese songwriter registers 20 songs with JASRAC. A Tokyo radio station plays 10 of those songs in regular rotation, a streaming service like Spotify Japan reports 2 million streams, and a live concert at Budokan features 5 of the songs in its set list.

JASRAC collects royalties from all three sources. The streaming royalties (the largest category at 59.4 billion JPY across all distributions) are allocated based on stream counts. The radio royalties are allocated based on airplay logs. The live concert royalties are allocated based on the set list submitted by the concert organizer.

If the same songs are played on streaming platforms in the United States, JASRAC's reciprocal agreement with ASCAP or BMI means those societies collect the royalties and remit them to JASRAC, which distributes them to the songwriter in the next distribution cycle. Foreign income reached 1.92 billion JPY in fiscal 2025, reflecting the global popularity of Japanese music.

With 151.8 billion JPY distributed in fiscal 2025, a songwriter with 20 songs receiving regular airplay and significant streaming activity might earn anywhere from 200,000 JPY to 5 million JPY or more annually, depending on the scale of usage and their registered share of the works.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you are a Japanese songwriter, composer, or publisher, JASRAC is the dominant PRO in Japan. While other organizations like NexTone also operate in Japan, JASRAC manages the largest catalog with over 4 million works. Registering with JASRAC ensures your music is licensed across Japan's radio, television, streaming, live concert, and karaoke ecosystems.

Register every composition with JASRAC before commercial release. Unregistered works earn zero royalties, even if they receive millions of streams on Spotify Japan or extensive airplay on J-Wave or FM Yokohama. Submit accurate metadata including ISRC codes, ISWC numbers, and split sheets.

Japan's karaoke market is one of the largest in the world, and JASRAC collects royalties from karaoke establishments. This is a revenue stream unique to Japan that can generate meaningful income for songwriters whose works are frequently performed at karaoke venues.

JASRAC's 121 reciprocal agreements with foreign societies mean your music earns royalties internationally. Japanese music exports, including anime soundtracks, J-pop, and video game music, have growing global audiences. Ensure your works are registered so international performances are tracked and royalties flow back to you.

Membership and Fees

JASRAC offers two levels of engagement: Trustor (信託者) and Member (会員).

Trust Contract (信託契約)

The trust contract is free. There is no application fee, no renewal fee, and no per-work registration fee. You entrust your copyright management to JASRAC and receive royalties. This is the minimum requirement to earn royalties through JASRAC.

Membership (会員)

Members participate in JASRAC's governance, including voting at general meetings. Membership requires an entrance fee (入会金) and annual dues (会費). Amounts are set by the Board of Directors and approved by the General Meeting of Members. All members start as Associate Members (準会員). Those who meet qualification requirements can become Full Members (正会員).

There is no difference between Trustors, Associate Members, and Full Members regarding royalty collection, distribution, or management commission rates. The distinction only affects governance rights.

How to Join

1. Conclude a trust contract with JASRAC online or by mail. Submit a copy of your family registry (or certificate of residence for foreign applicants), a photographic portrait, and the designated application forms.
2. Your works are registered in JASRAC's database at no cost.
3. To become a Member, apply through the members' site after concluding the trust contract. Pay the entrance fee and first-year annual dues after passing the admission screening.

Foreign applicants can join by submitting a certificate of residence instead of a family registry. JASRAC accepts songwriters, composers, arrangers, and music publishers regardless of nationality.

Overhead Rate and Management Commission

JASRAC deducts a management commission (管理手数料) from collected royalties before distribution. This covers operating expenses. The overall operating expense ratio was 9.2% of distributed royalties in fiscal 2024.

Commission rates vary by usage type. The Board of Directors sets rates based on actual costs for each revenue category. Rates are published annually and filed with Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs. For example, reproduction royalties carry tiered rates: 8% for amounts up to 3 million JPY, 2% for 3 to 10 million JPY, and 1% above 10 million JPY.

JASRAC operates as a non-profit General Incorporated Association. Any surplus at year-end is distributed back to rights holders rather than retained as profit.

Royalty Distribution Schedule

JASRAC distributes royalties four times per year: March, June, September, and December. The distribution cycle lags 6 to 12 months behind actual usage depending on the revenue source. Streaming royalties reflect income from 6 to 12 months prior. Live concert royalties are based on set lists submitted by event organizers.

Reciprocal Agreements

JASRAC has reciprocal agreements with 121 foreign copyright management organizations worldwide. When your music is performed internationally, the local society collects royalties and remits them to JASRAC. JASRAC then distributes them to you in the next distribution cycle.

Foreign income from performances reached 1.92 billion JPY in fiscal 2025 (up 13.2% year-on-year), driven by online royalties from the United States and Germany. Foreign income from reproduction reached 610 million JPY (up 47.5%).

JASRAC is a member of CISAC (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers).

Notable Members

JASRAC's membership includes prominent Japanese composers and songwriters:

• Joe Hisaishi (久石譲): Composer of over 50 film scores including Studio Ghibli works (Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro). JASRAC member since March 1980. Won the JASRAC Gold Award for "Spirited Away BGM" in 2003 and "Howl's Moving Castle BGM" in 2007.
• Chumei Watanabe (渡辺宙明): Composer of anime and tokusatsu theme songs including Mazinger Z and Kikaider. JASRAC member since August 1958. Received JASRAC long-term Full Member recognition in November 2014.
• Toru Taketsuka: Lyricist and composer. Known for enka and pop compositions across multiple decades.

JASRAC vs Other Major PROs

The table below compares JASRAC against major performing rights organizations in Asia, the US, and Europe.

JASRAC's 9.2% overhead rate is competitive globally. It is lower than GEMA's 14.1% and BMI's ~15% target, and close to ASCAP's 10%. JASRAC's karaoke revenue stream is unique among major PROs and reflects Japan's position as the world's largest karaoke market.

This official JASRAC video explains how reciprocal agreements work. When you contract with JASRAC, your music is also managed internationally through 121 foreign societies. The video is part of JASRAC's official YouTube series where staff answer common questions from creators.

Related Resources

• Performing Rights Organizations (PRO) - What a PRO is and how it functions
• Performance Royalties - How performance royalties are generated and collected
• Mechanical Royalties - How mechanical royalties differ from performance royalties
• Blanket License - The licensing model used by JASRAC
• Collective Management Organization (CMO) - How CMOs operate globally
• KOMCA - Compare with South Korea's PRO (K-pop driven growth)
• ASCAP - Compare with the US PRO with the lowest overhead rate (10%)
• PRS for Music - Compare with the UK PRO
• GEMA - Compare with Germany's PRO (target 7% online by 2027)
• KODA - Compare with Denmark's PRO (monthly distribution)
• JASRAC Official Website - Visit JASRAC for membership and licensing information
• Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your digital earnings