UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC (read the annotation before using!)
~ Label
Annotation
In MusicBrainz, Universal Music Japan is organized into record company divisions rather than a single "Universal Music Group" logo. (Prior to 2020, that logo was "Universal Music" rather than "Universal Music Group".) This means if the only visible logo is "Universal Music Group", the label should be based off the 制作 credit on the obi, or a more specific imprint run by that label division. (The "制作" credit should be found above a line of text which says "発売元・販売元：ユニバーサル ミュージック".) In recent years, Universal Music LLC adopted a new template for crediting their record labels - the label should be based on the copyright line of the release (e.g. "A Polydor Records release").
Because of the organization into record company divisions, the catalog number stem often correlates to the correct label - however, exceptions are known to exist, so it is still necessary to check the actual physical release. Examples (using the letter for CD formats):
- PHC* - Mercury Music Entertainment (defunct)
- POC* - distributed by Universal Music...
- POCE-01000~012** - Strange Days
- POCE-014** / 094** - ZERO-A (since 2014)
- POCE-057** - LD&K international
- POCE-069** - 朱 (Danger Crue) / UNIVERSAL GEAR
- POCE-073** - KMEWAVE
- POCE-15*** - Rough Trade
- POCE-16*** / 96*** - SPIRITUAL BEAST
- TOCT - EMI Records Japan (2013–2014)
- pre-2013: see the imprints of EMI Music Japan and TOSHIBA-EMI
- TYCT - Virgin Music (2017-), Virgin Records Japanese (2014-2017), EMI R (defunct 2014), EMI Records Japan (defunct 2014)
- UCC* - Universal Classics & Jazz
- UIC* - USM Japan (Universal Strategic Marketing) or Universal International - the last character may not match what is expected
- UICA - A&M Records
- UICF - Geffen
- UICJ - Def Jam Recordings
- UICL - Island
- UICN - Thunderball667
- UICO - Spinefarm Records, Motor Music, Island, etc.
- UICS - Interscope Records
- UICU - Pachinko Records
- UICV - Delicious Deli Records
- UICY - Polydor, A&M Records, Island, Geffen, Motown, Brain, Sanctuary, etc.
- UICZ - USM Japan, UM³/USM Japan (defunct)
- UMCA - UNIVERSAL MUSIC (Japanese)
- AUGUSTA RECORDS
- ZERO-A (in 2013)
- UMCC - MILESTONE CROWDS
- UMCF - Far Eastern Tribe Records (defunct 2014)
- UMCK - UNIVERSAL SIGMA or A&M Japanese or ZEN MUSIC, UNIVERSAL J (2002–2003), キティMME (2000–2002)
- Def Jam Recordings (Japan), Kitty Mercury, STAR TRAK
- UPCH-4 digits - Polydor Records (2023–), UNIVERSAL J (2002–2022), or Far Eastern Tribe Records as an imprint; Polydor Japan (defunct 2003)
- UPCH-5 digits - EMI RECORDS (since 2014), NAYUTAWAVE RECORDS (defunct 2014)
- UPCI - Island Japanese
- UPCP - Perfume Records
- UPCY - USM Japan, UM³/USM Japan (defunct) / Polydor Japan
- UUCH - UNIVERSAL（ユニバーサル） / UNIVERSAL POLYDOR（ユニバーサル ポリドーア） (defunct 2002)
- VJCP - Virgin
Note that the catalog number prefix's third letter represents a media format - see ja:規格品番 (Wikipedia)
Previously known as: PolyGram K.K. (Distributor only. Not a release label!), Universal Victor, Inc. (manufacturer/distributor, likely not an imprint; 1997–2000), Polydor K.K. (DO NOT USE AS A RELEASE LABEL!)
