Hiroshi Yanai (publisher)

Hiroshi Yanai (矢内 廣; born 7 January 1950 in Iwaki, Fukushima) is a Japanese businessperson. He is the founder and CEO of Pia Corporation, which is known as Japan’s first ticket distribution service.

Career

While he studied law at Chuo University in 1972, Yanai founded the monthly information magazine Pia together with his friends. In 1974, he established Pia Corporation. In 1984, he launched Ticket Pia, Japan’s first computer-based online ticketing service. Pia Corporation was listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2002 and moved to the First Section (now Prime Market) in 2003. In 2020 it opened the Pia Arena MM, a 10,000-seat concert and sports venue in Yokohama’s Minato Mirai district.[1]

Yanai also oversaw the creation of Pia Film Festival, established to promote young filmmakers and independent cinema in Japan.[2] In 2012, Yanai founded the non-profit organization Team Smile, dedicated to revitalizing communities affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami through music and entertainment.[3]

Public roles

In addition to his business activities, Yanai has served in numerous public and cultural positions, including Chairman of Pia Film Festival,[4] Director of the Japan Magazine Publishers Association.[5] In the past, he also served as the General Event Producer for Expo 2005.”[6]

Awards

  • 2014 – Kawakita Award (for contributions to film culture)[7]
  • 2017 – Watanabe Shin Award for achievements in the entertainment sector[8]
  • 2023 – Fukushima Prefecture Governor’s Commendation for distinguished contribution outside the prefecture[9]
  • 矢内廣[やないひろし]ぴあ創業者 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2007-03-17. Retrieved 2008-04-15.

References

  1. ^ "ぴあ株式会社 矢内廣 自伝 「ぴあの時代」" [Autobiography of Hiroshi Yanai “The Era of Pia”]. Pia Corporation (in Japanese). Pia Corporation. 2022-12-26. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  2. ^ "一般社団法人PFFとは" [About PFF (Pia Film Festival)]. PFF (in Japanese). PFF. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  3. ^ "一般社団法人チームスマイルについて" [About Team Smile]. Pia Corporation (in Japanese). Pia Corporation. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  4. ^ "一般社団法人PFFとは" [About PFF (Pia Film Festival)]. PFF (in Japanese). PFF. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  5. ^ "日本雑誌協会役員" [Officers of the Japan Magazine Publishers Association]. Japan Magazine Publishers Association (in Japanese). Japan Magazine Publishers Association. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  6. ^ "2005 Aichi Japan Expo – General Event Producer". Expo 2005 Aichi Japan (in Japanese). Japan Organising Committee for Expo 2005 Aichi Japan. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  7. ^ "第32回川喜多賞受賞者発表" [Announcement of the 32nd Kawakita Award]. 川喜多記念映画文化財団 (in Japanese). Kawakita Memorial Film Institute. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  8. ^ "第12回渡辺晋賞：矢内廣氏" [12th Watanabe Shin Award: Hiroshi Yanai]. Watanabe Forum (in Japanese). Watanabe Forum. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  9. ^ "県外在住功労者知事表彰" [Governor’s Commendation for Distinguished Contribution Outside the Prefecture]. 福島県 (in Japanese). Fukushima Prefectural Government. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
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