About JASRACInternational
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While works such as music are distributed globally, copyrights are protected in most countries around the world by international conventions such as the Berne Convention. However, it would require much time and effort for those who wish to use the works to obtain individual permission from overseas right owners. As such, copyright management organizations in each country conclude agreements to administer each other's works (repertoire) and become the point of contact for application procedures, enabling smooth cross-border use of works and return of remuneration to creators.
Number of foreign copyright management organizations (CMOs) which have representation agreements with JASRAC
JASRAC has a network with copyright management organizations over the world and administers each other's repertoire as follows:
(As of March 2025)
| Performing rights | Mechanical rights | Total | 118 organizations | 96 organizations | 129 organizations |
|---|
*New Caledonia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao
Through this network, the organization of the country/territory in which music was used grants a license and collects royalties on behalf of the organization which the right owners of the song belongs to. Creators receive overseas royalties through channels such as the society he/she is affiliated with.
Example: Administration agreement between JASRAC and SACEM (France)
![[France (SACEM) ]Administers JASRAC repertoire in France - Licenses usages - Collects royalties - Sends royalties to JASRAC or to music publisher in France (sub-publisher) ⇒ Administration agreement ⇒[Japan (JASRAC)] Administers SACEM repertoire in Japan - Licenses usages - Collects royalties - Sends royalties to SACEM or to music publisher in Japan (sub-publisher)](/en/assets/image/about/international/img01.svg)
JASRAC's role in the international field
As a member of the international community, JASRAC collaborates with sister societies to strengthen copyright protection and to enhance copyright management systems.
- CISAC（Confédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Auteurs et Compositeurs）
- CISAC - the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers - is a non-governmental, not-for-profit international organization founded in 1926, comprising collective management organizations across the fields of music, audiovisual, drama, literature and visual arts. Through its global network, CISAC protects the rights and promotes the interests of creators worldwide, while enabling societies to represent creators across the globe and ensure that royalties flow to authors for the use of their works anywhere in the world. Björn Ulvaeus, co-founder of the Swedish musical group ABBA, serves as its President. As of March 2026, with 227 member societies from 111 countries and territories including JASRAC, CISAC represents more than 5 million creators worldwide. Headquartered in France, the organization has regional offices in Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, and Africa, and celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026.
History of JASRAC and CISAC
JASRAC has been elected to the CISAC Board of Directors since 1980 and also plays a leading role in the CISAC Asia-Pacific Committee.
| 1960 | JASRAC joins CISAC |
|---|---|
| 1980 | JASRAC elected to the CISAC Board of Directors |
| 1982 | CISAC General Assembly adopts a resolution to protect the rights of authors in the commercial lending of phonograms to the public in Japan |
| 1984 | CISAC General Assembly held in Tokyo for the first time in Asia, adopting a resolution to call for appropriate legislative measures addressing private audio and video recording issues |
| 1998 | JASRAC elected as Chair of the CISAC Asia-Pacific Committee |
| 2018 | JASRAC elected Vice-Chair of the CISAC Board of Directors |
| 2007 | In support of Japan's call for practical elimination of wartime prolongation obligations, CISAC General Assembly unanimously adopts a resolution calling for member societies to urge their members not to exercise their rights of wartime prolongation |
| 2019 | CISAC General Assembly held in Tokyo again after 35 years, adopting a resolution to urge the Japanese government to build a functional and fair private copying levy system |
| 2023 | CISAC and JASRAC hold a joint press conference highlighting challenges and initiatives on fair remuneration for creators in the digital era |
- BIEM(Bureau International de l'Edition Mecanique)
- Established in Paris in 1929, BIEM is an international organization representing copyright management organizations across the world which administer mechanical rights. Besides supporting the activities of its member organizations and conducting negotiations with record producer organizations, it also undertakes music market researches, etc. JASRAC joined BIEM in 1968, and a JASRAC officer is currently elected as a member of the BIEM Management Committee.
CISAC-related organizations
- CIAM(International Council of Music Authors)
- CIAM is an international council established in 1966 as an advisory committee of CISAC. With the mission to serve as the unified voice of music creators worldwide, it undertakes lobbying activities and distributes information with the aim to ensure fair remuneration and protection of rights for music creators. CIAM has regional alliances in the Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America, dealing with local issues and pursuing collaboration among creators worldwide.
- APMA(Asia-Pacific Music Creators Alliance)
- APMA was established in 2016 as a regional alliance of CIAM with the aim to promote the protection, execution, and expansion of rights and interests for music creators in the Asia-Pacific region. APMA shares the problems in the countries and territories of the Asia-Pacific region and calls for fair remuneration for creators and the importance of rights protection.
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