Max Matsuura

Masato Matsuura (松浦 勝人, Matsuura Masato, born October 1, 1964 in Yokohama, Japan), better known as Max Matsuura (松浦マックス, Matsuura Makkusu), is a Japanese record producer and president of one of the largest music labels Avex Group. He is known mainly for discovering and developing new artists and converting them into big stars. Ayumi Hamasaki is the most famous example of Matsuura's work, as well as he is known for reviving Ami Suzuki's career after she was let go by her previous record label.

Personal life

Marriage

In 2003, he married Aki Hatada, a former gravure model.

Radio Program

His weekly radio program, Max Matsuura Work, Work, Play for Fun! (max matsuura 仕事が遊びで遊びが仕事), started last September 5, 2009. It is heard every Sunday, 1:00-1:30 AM, on Nippon Broadcasting System.^[1][2]

Controversies

Avex Internal Feud

Last 2004, Matsuura was the subject of some controversy when he considered leaving Avex Music Group due to a feud with Tom Yoda. Many artists, including Hamasaki herself, said that they would also move in the event that he did so.^[3] Thus, stocks for Avex Trax plunged and Yoda ended up resigning, ending the feud.^[4]

Closing His Twitter Account

Last July 17, 2011, Matsuura closed his Twitter account due to an intense feud with fans of JYJ.^[5]

Bailing TK Out of Jail

In March 2009, Matsuura helped Tetsuya Komuro in the latter's fraud case. He paid the plaintiff ¥648,000,000.00 (¥500,000,000.00 for the exact amount, ¥100,000,000.00 for compensations and ¥48,000,000.00 for delay damages). He also recommended a job for the disgraced record producer. These helped in Komuro's release and a new lease of life.

Trivia

Hiroyuki Igarashi, leader of EXILE, attended the same high school, Kanazawa High School.

Academic profile

• High School : Kanazawa High School
• College : Nihon University (Business Administration)

References

External links

• Personal website (Japanese)
• Max Matsuura at mixi
• Max Matsuura at Ameba Blog
• Max Matsuura on Twitter (TEMPORARILY CLOSED SINCE 2011.7.17)