Hajime Taniguchi Joins Sandara Parks rePRISM Project as Advisor to ARADNAS

A fresh partnership has just been announced in the Korean music scene: former 2NE1 member Sandara Park has tapped veteran Japanese executive Hajime Taniguchi to serve as an advisor for her independent label, ARADNAS, and to steer the rePRISM mini‑album series in Japan.

Taniguchi’s résumé reads like a roadmap of Japan’s music industry. He has held senior roles in international business, strategy, intellectual‑property rights and publishing at Sony Music Japan and Avex Group, before stepping into the top job as CEO of Avex Music Publishing. He later became chairman of the Japan Music Publishers Association and a director of JASRAC, the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers. His expertise spans licensing, royalty collection and cross‑border rights management.

The rePRISM project launched with a single of the same name on 20 June 2026, followed by a full‑length album that Park produced herself. The label’s long‑term plan is to release a series of mini‑albums that showcase different facets of her artistry. Taniguchi will advise on production, marketing and distribution in Japan and will gradually expand his involvement to other ARADNAS initiatives.

In a statement to OSEN, Taniguchi said, “When I first heard ‘Nail,’ I felt that behind a familiar name, there remained a voice that had not yet been fully heard.” He added, “Although she is already a highly recognized artist, what caught my attention was not her past fame but the direction of the music she is creating now.” The comments underline his focus on the artist’s creative evolution rather than her established brand.

ARADNAS plans to tailor Sandara Park’s Japanese activities to local tastes, including band‑based performances and promotional events. Taniguchi’s background in Japanese copyright law and publishing will help navigate JASRAC’s licensing framework and secure favorable terms for streaming, live performance and synchronization use.

The partnership reflects a broader trend of Korean artists seeking deeper penetration into Japan, the world’s second‑largest music economy. Successful K‑pop acts often rely on local publishing and licensing partners to manage royalties and distribution. Taniguchi’s experience with Sony and Avex’s distribution networks could provide Sandara Park with access to established radio, TV and digital platforms.

While the rePRISM mini‑album cycle is still in its early stages, the addition of Taniguchi signals ARADNAS’s commitment to a sustained presence in Japan. No immediate release dates beyond the current mini‑album series have been announced, but the collaboration is expected to influence future projects and licensing strategies for the label.

In short, the appointment of Hajime Taniguchi as advisor to ARADNAS strengthens Sandara Park’s Japanese market operations. His extensive experience in publishing, rights management and industry strategy equips the label to navigate Japan’s complex licensing environment and expand the reach of the rePRISM project.