NEW YORK, July 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Handcraft Entertainment and Takasago International Corporation USA, one of Japan’s largest and one of Asia’s leading fragrance and flavor companies, today announced a strategic partnership to build the smell, taste, and feel of “Global” J-Pop.
The partnership builds on Handcraft’s work pioneering “Global” J-Pop, a term coined by the company to describe a new genre of Japanese music and culture designed for worldwide audiences.
This announcement follows the release of Handcraft’s “Heartless,” a collaboration between Japanese artist Mia Takarabe and global icon Steve Aoki, which marked a defining moment for the company (read more via SPIN Magazine).
The partnership combines Takasago’s expertise in fragrance, flavor and sensory innovation with Handcraft Entertainment’s strategy to build globally scalable Japanese artists, brands and cultural IP as part of a worldwide cultural platform. The companies will develop fragrances, flavors and products tied to artists, releases, live experiences, and cultural moments, while expanding into consumer products, experiential activations, and global brand collaborations that deepen how audiences connect with music, artists, and culture beyond traditional formats. One of the first projects will be a fragrance developed with Handcraft artist Mia Takarabe. The companies also plan to develop original content and media around the artists and the creation of fragrances, flavors and products, bringing fans into the creative process and deepening engagement across social media.
“This is about building something entirely new at the intersection of music, culture, and sensory innovation,” said Michael Africk, CEO of Handcraft Entertainment. “We are building a new generation of globally competitive Japanese artists, products, and cultural experiences created for worldwide audiences while remaining authentically connected to Japanese identity and culture. Takasago is uniquely positioned to define that world with us.”
“Takasago has seen firsthand the growing global demand for Japanese culture across entertainment, fashion, food and lifestyle,” said Joseph Lattarulo, Senior Vice President & General Manager at Takasago. “‘Global’ J-Pop represents an exciting new chapter for how Japanese culture can connect with audiences around the world. We are excited to partner with Handcraft to create products and experiences that will shape the world of ‘Global’ J-Pop.”
ABOUT HANDCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT
Handcraft Entertainment is a first-of-its-kind global entertainment company dedicated to building the future of “Global J-Pop” and expanding the reach of Japanese culture worldwide. Founded by multi-platinum producer and entrepreneur Michael Africk, the company develops artists, music, fashion, beauty, film, television, anime, live experiences, and consumer products that connect Japanese cultural creativity with international audiences. Through a uniquely bilingual and bicultural approach, Handcraft Entertainment creates original intellectual property, nurtures emerging talent, and develops cross-platform entertainment brands designed to resonate across borders. By combining Japanese innovation with global storytelling, the company seeks to establish Japanese culture as one of the defining forces in contemporary entertainment.
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SOURCE Handcraft Entertainment