TuneCore Japan payouts surpass ¥100 billion milestone

TuneCore Japan has announced that cumulative payouts to independent artists and labels using its distribution and monetization services have surpassed ¥100 billion (approximately US$633 million). Reaching this milestone 14 years after its October 2012 launch, the company reported that 140 acts have each earned at least ¥100 million through the platform.

The service, a joint venture between US-based TuneCore and Japan's Wano, facilitates music distribution to platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and LINE MUSIC. The company's catalogue has grown to exceed two million tracks.

Data indicates a significant rise in international revenue, with overseas earnings accounting for over 20% of the revenue generated by its artists and labels this year. This overseas share has steadily increased from 8% in 2020 to its current level.

While annual payouts reached a record ¥16.4 billion in 2024, growth slowed to 6% due to streaming services addressing fraudulent plays and changing payment regulations. TuneCore Japan noted that its own efforts to remove fraudulent streams also impacted play counts and subsequent payouts.