A new book, "Elevator Music in Japan," will be released, summarizing the history of background music in Japan, a country now considered the world's largest music consumer.


The term "BGM" became established in Japan when Tokyo Music Broadcasting Co., Ltd. marketed its music distribution service for public spaces, which was previously known as "Muzak" or "elevator music" in the United States, as an abbreviation for "background music." In Europe, the term "BGM" is commonly used.

How did this overseas BGM business become popular in Japan and how did it spread? This book examines the history of the industry, examining business trends, hardware history, and copyright evolution. It also features the BGM favored by athletes, the BGM popular on social media at Seiyu Stores, and a timeline of Japan's first BGM.