Ishizaka Stepping Down

A 46-year veteran of the Japanese music business, Ishizaka is retiring, though he will become an honorary chairman of the same company and will continue in that role until the end of October.

Ishizaka joined Warner Music three years ago after serving in executive positions with Universal Music and Toshiba-EMI. Warner Music Asia Pacific President Lachie Rutherford said in a statement that Ishizaka “led Warner Music Japan through a key transitional period in the company’s history, and set it on course for a bright and prosperous future.”

Ishizaka himself called Warner “a company with a rich history and a tireless devotion to serving its artists. I am proud of all we have accomplished in building Warner Music Japan’s reputation as a progressive home for outstanding artists, as well as laying the foundation for the company’s growth for many years to come.”

WMJ says it will announce a replacement in coming weeks.