I. Introduction:
LDH JAPAN Inc., formerly LDH Inc., is a Japanese entertainment company founded by the boy group EXILE and established on September 18, 2003. The company provides artist management services for singers, dancers, actors, models, athletes, and more. The name of the company is an acronym for "Love, Dream & Happiness."
2002
On October 17, the six founding members of EXILE invested ¥500,000 each to establish EXILE ENTERTAINMENT LTD., with EXILE HIRO as president.
2003
On September 18, the company merged with the model agency ThreePoint to form LDH as a joint-stock company. HIRO remained president, and Mori Masataka was appointed executive vice president.
2016
On October 23, LDH announced a complete reorganization to expand its business worldwide.
2017
On January 1, the company rebranded with a new logo and revealed a world expansion plan, including the foundation of global subsidiaries "LDH ASIA," "LDH USA," and "LDH EUROPE," overseen by "LDH WORLD." HIRO became chief creative officer, and several executives were appointed to lead the global subsidiaries.
Several group companies were established, including:
- LDH apparel
- LDH pictures
- LDH stage
- LDH Records
- LDH kitchen
- LDH models
- LDH martial arts
- LDH dance earth
- LDH expg
- LDH farm
- LDH wedding
- LDH O
Artists could join the company organization as staff members. For example, EXILE AKIRA joined EXPG, Kobayashi Naoki joined LDH USA, and EXILE NAOTO joined LDH apparel.
2018
On November 8, LDH JAPAN and Avex established the joint venture company "HI&max Co., Ltd." for selling goods and services at live concert venues.
2020
In April, LDH JAPAN and TGCK Partners established the joint venture company "HIAN" for entertainment business between Japan and South Korea.
2021
On June 29, LDH JAPAN launched the accident insurance service "LDH PROTECT" exclusively for fan club members.
2022
On May 11, LDH JAPAN and HIGH CLOUD ENTERTAINMENT signed a partnership agreement to bring entertainment from Asia to the world through cultural exchange between Japan and Thailand.
On September 30, LDH JAPAN acquired CRAFTAR Studio, renamed it "LDH DIGITAL," and announced plans to start services in 2023.
On November 1, LDH JAPAN and W TOKYO formed a partnership to promote SDGs and local community contributions through dance and entertainment events.
On December 26, LDH JAPAN and UHB Hokkaido Bunka Hoso Inc. established the limited liability partnership "North Culture 8" for joint business development.
2023
On March 6, LDH JAPAN and Fukui City signed a regional revitalization partnership agreement.
On March 20, LDH JAPAN and 4NOLOGUE signed a partnership to boost entertainment in Asia.
In September, LDH JAPAN received "The Memorable Thailand-Japan Cultural Award" at the "NIPPON HAKU BANGKOK 2023."
On September 8, the Japan Sumo Association announced that LDH JAPAN would offer prizes to wrestlers during the autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.
On September 25, EXILE HIRO returned as President and Representative Director of LDH JAPAN.
On October 13, FC Imabari High School announced its collaboration with LDH JAPAN as a curriculum partner, with EXILE HIRO and EXILE TETSUYA serving as instructors.
On November 2, LDH JAPAN launched a new corporate website and revealed its new corporate structure, including a new system for affiliated group companies and subsidiaries. Major group companies include:
- LDH expg
- LDH kitchen
- LDH apparel
- LDH DIGITAL
- LDH music & publishing
- LDH Ai Yume Etsu
Affiliated companies include:
- ASOBIMO
- HI&max
- CyberLDH
- LDH Bridal Produce
- expg family
- D.LEAGUE
- HI-AX
- SL Square
- North Culture 8
- LDH SHANGHAI
Seven artist officers were appointed, including EXILE AKIRA as Taiwan-based "LDH Ai Yume Etsu" representative director and president.
LDH's global expansion strategy shifted focus to Asia, particularly Southeast Asia (ASEAN), with Thailand as the base and Taiwan as a second major base.
On November 13, LDH JAPAN and Mitsui Fudosan signed a "Business Alliance Agreement on Initiatives to Support the Dreams of Children and Young People," with plans to open an EXPG STUDIO in Chiba Prefecture.
II. Corporate Social Responsibility:
Since its foundation, LDH, its artists, talents, and staff have been involved in various social community and welfare activities.
From April 23 to May 31, 2016, LDH raised ¥1,224,726 at live show venues, LDH-owned shops, and EXILE TRIBE STATION for Kumamoto Prefecture's "2016 Kumamoto Japan Earthquake Relief Fund."
In 2017, LDH JAPAN established an official social contribution department named "LDH Dreams For Children." This department manages various projects, including LDH-sponsored projects, assistance projects, and collaborations with enterprises and local governments.
On August 1, 2018, LDH JAPAN started "LDH fundraising" to raise funds for those affected by typhoon No.21, the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake, and the heavy rain in July 2018. The project has been organized annually to raise funds for victims of natural disasters.
On March 10, 2021, LDH JAPAN started the charity donation project "Save Your Neighbor" in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project included the sale of "Save Your Neighbor" tin badges and charity masks at tour venues, EXILE TRIBE STATION stores, and the online shop, with part of the proceeds donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society. By October 19, 2021, ¥1,796,833 was donated, by March 10, 2022, ¥473,474 was donated, and by September 7, 2022, ¥595,596 was donated.
On October 25, 2022, LDH JAPAN received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Japanese Red Cross Society and the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare for its donations from "LDH fundraising" and "Save Your Neighbor" projects.
On January 6, 2024, LDH JAPAN set up donation boxes to support victims of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake at LDH-sponsored live events, LDH-managed stores, and EXPG STUDIO schools. Donations were given to the Japanese Red Cross Society for disaster-affected areas.
On January 12, 2024, LDH JAPAN announced it had donated 50 million yen to the "Ishikawa Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund" for relief and reconstruction efforts, in addition to the donations collected through "LDH fundraising."
III. Trivia:
LDH had three girl groups named after its acronym (Love, Dream, and Happiness), but Love disbanded in 2012, Dream disbanded in 2017, and Happiness disbanded in 2023. LDH typically debuts artists selected through public auditions, especially singers and vocalists. They also debut artists and form groups with audition participants who did not win.
LDH's philosophy, system, and work environment are highly regarded by professionals worldwide, attracting many to work with the company. Shaun Evaristo, chief creative officer of EXPG LA, aims to create an environment in the U.S. where dancers are recognized as artists. DJ Afrojack, CEO of LDH EUROPE, believes LDH's system is needed in the Western music scene for its good work environment and artist protection. According to LDH's founder EXILE HIRO, the company's key concept is "Everyone plays a leading role." LDH artists emphasize live performances and have a private gym at their headquarters for training.
LDH's global expansion, which began in 2017, was halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 1, 2023, LDH opened a Newcomer Development Scout Instagram account to scout students for EXPG. On May 2, 2024, they opened Graduate/Staff Recruitment SNS accounts to improve visibility and accessibility for staff recruitment and information on the selection process.
IV. Current Artists:
Groups
- EXILE
- EXILE ATSUSHI
- EXILE TAKAHIRO
- EXILE SHOKICHI
- EXILE THE SECOND
- Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE
- ØMI
- RYUJI IMAICHI
- CrazyBoy
- Iwata Takanori
- GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE
- THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE
- FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE
- BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE
- PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE
- LIL LEAGUE from EXILE TRIBE
- KID PHENOMENON from EXILE TRIBE
- THE JET BOY BANGERZ from EXILE TRIBE
- WOLF HOWL HARMONY from EXILE TRIBE
- DEEP
- DEEP SQUAD
- DOBERMAN INFINITY
- SWAY
- Hayashi Kazuki
- PKCZ®
- VERBAL
- DJ DARUMA
- m-flo
- VERBAL
- LISA
- HONEST BOYZ®
- SAMURIZE from EXILE TRIBE
- DANCE EARTH PARTY
- Girls²
- iScream
- SG5
- Lucky²
- RAG POUND
- KICK&SLIDE (Character)
- 3 Lemon Siblings (Character)
Soloists
Actors
- Female
- RIKACO
- Mizuno Erina
- Ishii Anna
- Yamaguchi Nonoka
- Hirakawa Yuzuki
- Fujii Karen
- Male
- Toshio Matsumoto
- Oumiya Tarou
- Hiranuma Norihisa
- Kurokawa Kyosuke
- Saotome Taichi
- Masumoto Shoichiro
- KATSUYA
- Noiri Toshiki
- Gekidan EXILE
Talent
- Female
- Yamaguchi Sawa
- LISA
Models
- Female
- Sada Mayumi
- Iwahori Seri
- Oya Kana
- Sugi Arisa
- Suzuki Taylor
- Sato Harumi
- Morgan Mala
- TOKO
- Yoda Emilie
Athletes
- Male
- Watanabe Ippei
- Ogawa Naohisa
- Ogawa Yukio
- Okami Yushin
- Yoshida Teruyuki
- Ramos Ruy
- Female
- Angela Maki Vernon
- Kurihara Megumi
Specialists
- Voice Trainers
- Kimura Keiji
- Goda Keiko
- Choreographers
- PATO
- SEVA
- Movie Directors
- Nishikori Yoshinari
- Kubo Shigeaki
- SABU
- Matsunaga Daishi
- Kashida Shogo
- Watanabe Kei
- Scenario Writers
- Kashida Shogo
- Watanabe Kei
- MC
- MC USK
V. External links:
- LDH JAPAN
- LDH worldwide
My references were sourced from LDH on Fandom.
