A revised version of the Copyright Act, approved by the Japanese Cabinet on 15 May 2026, marks a shift in how music rights are recognised and rewarded. The reforms expand royalty entitlements for public music plays beyond composers and lyricists, extending them to artists and their record labels. The revised law also allows Japanese artists to receive royalties from overseas plays, which was previously unavailable to them.
Catherine Lovrics, Partner at Marks & Clerk, was featured in World Trademark Review and Music Business Worldwide to provide expert commentary on these significant changes and their global implications. Cat commented at both stages of this development - from the initial approval of the reforms to their enactment.
Drawing on her global copyright expertise, Cat noted in the recent article by WTR, that “Japanese artists are increasingly part of the worldwide music conversation”, with the changes “bringing them further into the international fold” reflecting Japan’s growing role as a key cultural exporter in today’s interconnected music industry.
In the recent article with Music Business Worldwide following the Act’s enactment, Cat reinforced that these reforms underscore Japan’s alignment with international practices and its commitment to ensuring broader recognition and remuneration for artists on a global stage.
As the global music market continues to evolve, these changes mark an important step in aligning Japan’s copyright framework with international practices and ensuring broader recognition and remuneration for artists.
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