Tokyo, Japan – Currently ranked as the #1 TV broadcaster in Japan for the past three consecutive years, coupled with tremendous growth in the international division, Mr. Atsushi Hatayama, President of International Business Development (IBD), for Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV), the leading commercial broadcaster and network in Japan offering entertainment, anime, documentaries and news, announced that Ms. Kako Kuwahara, previously Associate Managing Director, has been promoted to the key role as Managing Director for the IBD division. Based in Tokyo, she will report directly to Mr. Hatayama and be responsible for overseeing all areas of IBD with the executives from IBD reporting to her. Ms. Kuwahara will be attending this year’s MIPCOM.
“We believe that with the leadership, devotion and expertise of Kako our IBD division will continue to strengthen as we further expand our footprint in the international marketplace,” commented Mr. Hatayama. “Kako is a well-respected executive at Nippon TV and it is my honor to be making this announcement.”
Kako Kuwahara transferred to IBD in 2015 after successful stints at the Production, Public Relations, Sales, and Pay TV divisions of Nippon TV. One of her most notable accomplishments in the pay TV business was bringing the content of K-pop stars TOHOSHINKI onto Hulu Japan and Nippon TV’s other pay TV platforms, which set a record high of new subscribers.
Since joining IBD in 2015, Kuwahara has had oversight of the GEM channel in Southeast Asia, and has also mobilized the entire organization to create a quicker, more streamlined rights clearing process for Nippon TV content export sales. She continues to work tirelessly to take the company’s international business to new heights, and has set her eyes on bolstering Nippon TV’s drama (scripted formats) and entertainment show format development. She is actively looking for formidable partners and will be at MIPCOM to strengthen new and existing relationships. Kuwahara enjoys the traditional art of “kitsuke” (kimono-wearing) as a hobby.
