LOS ANGELES, April 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: LYV) today announced that it has acquired Creativeman's minority stake in Live Nation Japan, resulting in Live Nation Entertainment assuming full ownership.

Live Nation Japan was established in early 2012 and since then the company has promoted sell out concerts by a variety of international, regional and Japanese acts such as Lady Gaga, Nickelback, Infinite and Jin Akanishi. The company, led by Frank Takeshita, has also successfully exported Japanese acts such as Perfume, Vamps and Taro Hakase to North America and Europe. Live Nation Japan's next  major show is Lady Gaga's artRAVE: the ARTPOP ball on Aug. 13 at Tokyo's QVC Marine Field.

Alan Ridgeway, Live Nation Entertainment president of international and emerging markets, said: "As we continue to expand our global network, we wanted to assume full ownership of Live Nation Japan. Although we still expect to work together on some projects, this allows Live Nation to pursue our own interests and work with a variety of partners."  

Frank Takeshita, who has 25 years experience in the music industry at Warner Music, Zomba/Jive, BMG, JVC and latterly Creativeman, has given up his remaining responsibilities at Creativeman and taken on the full time role of managing director of Live Nation Japan.

About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world's leading live entertainment company comprised of four market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, Artist Nation Management and Live Nation Media/Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

Follow us @twitter.com/LiveNationInc

SOURCE Live Nation