We are pleased to announce that GENDA Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and CEO: Nao Kataoka; hereinafter “Company,” or collectively “GENDA” including its group companies) decided to establish a joint venture, TOKYO DD, Inc. (hereinafter “TOKYO DD”), with LDH JAPAN Inc. (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo; Chairman, CEO, and CCO: Hiroyuki Igarashi 【EXILE HIRO】; hereinafter “LDH JAPAN”) to plan and develop IP (intellectual property). Koji Hoshino is scheduled to assume the position of Representative Director. Hoshino possesses extensive executive experience in the entertainment industry, having served as President at companies such as The Walt Disney Company (Japan) Ltd. and Studio Ghibli Inc.
The establishment of TOKYO DD aims to promote the joint planning and development of new IP by combining the IP planning capabilities and content creation strength of both the Company and LDH JAPAN, alongside the industry expertise and networks of Kataoka (GENDA), EXILE HIRO (LDH JAPAN), and Hoshino. Through the establishment of TOKYO DD, we seek to further expand and enhance our business operations.

■ Origin of the Company Name: Tokyo DD
“DD” stands for “Dream Dimension,” conveying the meaning of a “new world of dreams” or a “dimension of dreams.” By overlaying “Dimension” – representing a new world – onto “Dream,” a word shared by both company names, the title serves as a symbol of the corporate DNA of both companies. The name reflects our vision to captivate fans in Japan and abroad through the new worlds (dimensions) created by characters and IP, while building a global brand that broadcasts new IP originating from Tokyo to the world.

■ Message from Koji Hoshino, Representative Director of Tokyo DD, Inc.

By bringing together the core strengths of LDH and GENDA, this unique new joint venture is positioned to tackle the entire lifecycle of entertainment: not just creating new IP but growing it and bringing joy to audiences globally.

Entertainment has infinite potential. Even as we stay grounded in a local perspective, we must innovate for a global audience and bring those creations to as many people as possible.

We will transcend traditional industry boundaries – spanning music, artists, characters, live events, gaming, and real-world experiences – to unlock new IP and new forms of entertainment.

We are fully committed to bringing Japanese “fun” to the global stage through this joint venture.
 
■ Message from EXILE HIRO, Chairman, CEO, and CCO of LDH JAPAN Inc.

I am deeply delighted and truly honored to be working with everyone at GENDA, as well as Mr. Koji Hoshino, who has been at the forefront of Japan’s entertainment industry with iconic companies like Walt Disney Japan and Studio Ghibli.

By combining GENDA’s global entertainment platform, Mr. Hoshino’s wealth of experience and expertise, and the IP creation power and creativity LDH JAPAN has built over the years, I am confident our combined strengths will spark powerful synergies and pioneer a new future for entertainment.

As a new IP factory jointly launched by LDH and GENDA, “TOKYO DD” will produce a wide range of captivating IP and content to create new cultural movements. I firmly believe it will serve as a powerful catalyst for LDH’s mission to share Japan’s cherished culture and entertainment with the world, bringing dreams and inspiration to even more people.

From Tokyo to the world, and from Asia to the world.

Together with all of you, we are taking bold strides forward in our challenge to bring original Japanese IP to a global audience.
Please look forward to what’s ahead for “TOKYO DD.”
 
■ Message from Nao Kataoka, Representative Director, President and CEO of GENDA Inc.

I am deeply honored to establish this new company alongside LDH JAPAN, led by EXILE HIRO, and Mr. Hoshino, a proven leader who has spent years at the forefront of the entertainment industry with Walt Disney Japan and Studio Ghibli.

We are ready to embark on new ventures by synergizing GENDA’s global entertainment platform with LDH JAPAN’s IP expertise and Mr. Hoshino’s extensive experience. I fully believe that the intersection of our strengths will open up brand-new possibilities.

Through TOKYO DD, we will dramatically broaden the potential of entertainment originating from Japan.

■ Please refer to the timely disclosure for details regarding the joint venture.

■ GENDA Corporate outline
GENDA is an entertainment company that aims to build a global entertainment network and increase the “absolute amount of fun” spreading across the globe in order to realize our Aspiration of “More fun for your days.”
We operate a wide range of businesses in entertainment, including Amusement, Karaoke, Lifestyle, Tourism, Food & Beverage, Character Merchandising and Contents & Promotions (movies, interactive contents, etc.). Both domestically and internationally, we operate approximately 1,100 locations, including amusement arcades such as “GiGO,” the karaoke chain “Karaoke BanBan” and the photography studio “Studio CARATT” as well as approximately 13,000 mini-locations (mainly a gaming corner with 30 or fewer game machines installed). We operate in various regions including Japan, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Company name: GENDA Inc.
Representative: Representative Director, President and CEO Nao Kataoka
Established: May 2018
Location: 6F Tokyo Shiodome Building, 1-9-1 Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Web site: https://genda.jp/en
GENDA IR page: https://genda.jp/en/ir