"ENT NEXT class ~ Pass your passion to the future ~" held

2025.12.25

Amuse Inc., Avex Inc., Sony Music Entertainment Inc., and Pony Canyon Inc. are working on a joint project called "ENT NEXT ACTION" with the aim of stimulating sustainability action in the entertainment industry.
With a common philosophy of "four entertainment companies working together to create a new tomorrow," we believe that the power generated by the four companies coming together will allow us to move forward little by little, and we hold regular monthly meetings and plan various actions.
As a first step, with the desire to "encourage the children who will lead the next generation to envision a bright future," the career education program "ENT NEXT class - Passion for the Future" was held at Wada Junior High School in Tama City, Tokyo, on September 30, 2025.
Three companies that supported Avex's "avex class" held a special edition, with employees from different professions from each company taking to the stage. Takehiro Yoda, who works in artist management from Amuse, Masako Masuda, who helps artists expand overseas from Sony Music Entertainment, and Yoshifumi Yarimizu, who works in anime production from Pony Canyon, spoke about working in the entertainment industry and why they chose it.
DJ KOO (TRF) also gave a lecture on the theme of "What is important to achieve your dreams?"

■Talk Session

Speakers/panelist:
◇ Amuse Inc. Takehiro Yoda
◇Sony Music Entertainment Inc. Masako Masuda
◇Pony Canyon Inc. Yoshifumi Yarimizu

Why did you decide to work in the entertainment industry?

Yoda: In junior high school, I seriously aspired to become a soccer player, but I ended up quitting soccer in high school. I had only ever done soccer up until that point, so I felt a hole in my heart. When I was feeling hopeless, I saw Akashiya-san on TV, turning his own failures into laughter and getting over them, and it really gave me courage. I suddenly looked back on my life and remembered how entertainment had saved me, and I thought that working in this industry might be what made me happy.
Masuda: I've always loved music and entertainment, but I thought it was fine to just keep things I liked as hobbies. In my university dance club, I witnessed people with overwhelming talent and felt that I couldn't be the best there. I realized that it would be more fun to find someone who naturally suited dancing in the center, bring out their charm, and work behind the scenes to make dance shows even more spectacular. I thought there must be a lot of exciting work to do behind the scenes, so I ultimately narrowed my job search to the entertainment industry.

Yarimizu: I've always loved Hollywood movies, so I wanted to be involved in film and video, and that's what got me interested in this industry. I watch a lot of movies, so when I can share my image with an anime scriptwriter and say, "It's like a scene from that movie, isn't it?", I feel every day that my experience of watching movies since I was a child is coming in handy.

-What was the most difficult thing about your job?

Yarimizu: The COVID-19 pandemic was the hardest part. It was said to be non-essential and non-urgent, but it made me keenly aware that entertainment is essential to living a happy life. When we were able to hold a live concert where we were allowed to shout, tears naturally welled up in my eyes.

Masuda: Common sense is different overseas. Once, in Thailand, I was told, "Please come at this time," and when I headed there, I was stuck in traffic and couldn't get there even though my destination was right in front of me. This experience taught me to not just make decisions based on my own common sense, but to do my best with the cooperation of local people.

--What are the moments when you feel that "the entertainment industry is fun!"?

Yarimizu: When I hear the voices of our fans. Because anime takes a long time to make, it's fun to see their reactions on social media and to see the excitement of the audience at our live shows.

Masuda: Recording. I get so excited when an artist starts singing. It's such a precious experience to hear that first note, so I try my best to convey the same passion I felt to the audience.

-Message to junior high school students

Yarimizu: I want people to be curious. For example, you could be interested in the music your favorite person listens to, and then you watch a movie with that music as its theme song, and then you want to check out the director's previous works. Whatever your starting point, I want people to be curious about a variety of things.

Yoda: If you have something you love right now, I want you to try and see how far you can go. If you haven't found it yet, you might find something that makes you think, "This is it!" while trying various things.

Masuda: Looking back, I think that when I was in middle school, I was picky and chose things, thinking, "This isn't for me." I think you can tell if something is for you if you try it once, so I encourage people to just give it a try, even if it seems like something you're not good at.

■Lecture by DJ KOO (TRF)

When I was in middle school, I wanted to be a rock guitarist. From there, I formed a rock band and did various activities, but there were so many talented people that I gave up. But I loved music, so I wanted to make it my job. Then, when I went to a disco, I saw everyone having fun around the DJ and thought it was cool, so I started DJing.
I joined the rugby club in high school and gained the ability to do what I was told. From then on, I just did what was in front of me. That's how I spent my time. You could say that this attitude is also connected to entertainment.
It's great to have an idea of what you want to do. First, talk about it with your friends and family. By putting it into words, the image becomes more concrete, and it becomes more fun. By talking to people instead of just thinking about it alone, you can realize that there are other ideas out there.
What I try to keep in mind is not to think that this is good enough, but to think about how to improve from there. There is no perfect score in entertainment. You are expected to accumulate 100 points or more. On the other hand, I don't think there is a zero point either, because there is someone who resonates with you.
In the entertainment world, daily preparation and raising your spirits are important, and that's where moving experiences are born. I think it's important to take the first step without prejudice or overthinking.