AWA

Official Website

Market: Japan

Overview

AWA is a Japanese on-demand music streaming service run by AWA Co. Ltd., a joint venture of Avex and CyberAgent.

Market / Platform Focus

AWA concentrates on the Japanese market. Listeners can publish playlists that others comment on, and follow lyrics with the LYRIC DIVE feature.

Yes — LabelGrid delivers your releases to AWA. Distribution is included on every distribution plan, for record labels, distributors, and independent artists alike.

AWA AT A GLANCE

  • Typical go-live: timing varies by platform — submit at least 2 weeks ahead of your release date.
  • Delivery: AWA ingests releases through standard distribution — ISRC per recording, UPC per release, plus ISWC (composition) and ISNI (artist) where available.
  • Lossless, Hi-Res & Dolby Atmos: verify current AWA support — AWA does not publish audio-format specs; deliver a standard master.
  • Territory: Japan.
  • Discovery: user-made and editorial playlists, a listener comment function, and the LYRIC DIVE lyrics feature.
  • Royalties: tracked in LabelGrid’s royalty accounting with automated splits from the Basic plan up.

LABELGRID

LabelGrid Integration

LabelGrid delivers your releases to AWA with the ISRCs, UPC and metadata you enter. Accurate metadata helps listeners find your catalog. AWA does not publish its own metadata field rules, so LabelGrid’s standard delivery specs apply.

Getting Started

Upload your releases via LabelGrid and select AWA as a destination. Our system will deliver to AWA’s servers and provide any necessary updates or takedowns.

LabelGrid provides the tools you need beyond distribution: catalog management for your metadata and releases, royalty accounting with artist statements and payouts from the Basic plan up, and promotion tools including smart links and Spotify pre-saves.

AWA delivery specifications

Spec Detail
Audio formats accepted AWA does not publish audio-format specs — deliver a standard master (verify current AWA support)
Lossless / Hi-Res support Verify current AWA support
Spatial audio / Dolby Atmos Verify current AWA support
Artwork requirements Square (1:1), at least 3000×3000 px (LabelGrid’s upload minimum), original cover art; AWA does not publish its own artwork spec
Metadata required ISRC per recording, UPC per release; ISWC (composition) and ISNI (artist) where available
Rights / territory clearance Composition rights administered through the Japanese CMOs (JASRAC / NexTone) at the publishing layer
Territory / availability Japan
Monetization model Subscription streaming; royalties tracked in LabelGrid accounting with automated splits from the Basic plan up
Discovery features User-made and editorial playlists, a listener comment function, and the LYRIC DIVE lyrics feature
Artist-profile linking Verify current AWA support — manage artist presence through LabelGrid and AWA’s in-market tools
Typical go-live after submission Timing varies by platform — submit at least 2 weeks ahead
Delivery method Standard distribution delivery by LabelGrid

Requirements can change — confirm current details with AWA.

How long until my release is live on AWA?

Timing varies by platform. LabelGrid processes and reviews your release and delivers it to AWA, which then schedules it in-market. Planning a specific release date? Submit at least 2 weeks ahead so LabelGrid can complete review and delivery before your date.

Related: music distribution · royalty accounting · automated royalty splits · pricing · compare distributors · LabelGrid for labels · LabelGrid help center

WHY AWA

Artist Benefits

Listeners can publish their own playlists, which other users can comment on.

Key Features

  • LYRIC DIVE – AWA’s lyrics feature.

  • Social features – publish playlists that other users can comment on.

  • Offline playback – download songs for offline listening.

Ready to Try LabelGrid?

DEEP DIVE

What You Should Know About AWA

Japanese Market Access

According to IFPI, Japan is the world’s second-largest recorded-music market. AWA is one of the domestic streaming services serving Japanese listeners, alongside the global platforms.

Platform Features

AWA offers user-published playlists that other listeners can comment on, along with the LYRIC DIVE lyrics feature and offline playback.

Subscription Model

AWA’s standard plan is 980 yen a month. Earnings from AWA are tracked in your LabelGrid royalty accounting.

Tips for Success

  • Invest in professional artwork and accurate metadata
  • AWA users publish and share playlists — community engagement matters
  • Consider Japanese market release timing and promotional calendars

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Upload your releases through LabelGrid and select AWA as a destination. We deliver your music with proper metadata to AWA's Japanese streaming platform.

AWA is a Japanese on-demand music streaming service, run by a joint venture of Avex and CyberAgent. It offers user-published playlists that other listeners can comment on, the LYRIC DIVE lyrics feature, and offline playback.

According to IFPI, Japan is the world’s second-largest recorded-music market. AWA is one of the domestic streaming services there, so keeping it selected alongside the global platforms widens your reach in Japan.

AWA includes user-published playlists, the LYRIC DIVE lyrics feature, and offline playback. Other users can comment on published playlists.

Timing varies by platform. Submit at least 2 weeks ahead of your release date.

Ready to Try LabelGrid?

Get your music on AWA and all major platforms worldwide. 7-day free trial. No charge until the trial ends.

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