ITOCHU Announces a Capital and Business Tie-up with REJECT Inc., Which Operates an Esports Team
November 14, 2024
ITOCHU Corporation (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Keita Ishii, President & COO; hereinafter “ITOCHU”) announced today that it has formed a capital and business tie-up with REJECT Inc. (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Shoya Koyama, Representative Director; hereinafter "REJECT") which operates REJECT, the Japanese esports team with the largest total amount of prize money won in Japan*1. Moving forward, ITOCHU plans to leverage its global network to increase the brand power of REJECT along with its players and talent, supporting their development both domestically and internationally.
The growth of esports has been extraordinary in recent years, both in Japan and around the world. It has a global fan base of 540 million people*2 and more than 8 million supporters in Japan*3. The Olympic Esports Games, sponsored by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), are scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2025, and Japan is also experiencing a significant increase in esports-related events and competitions. The increasing popularity of esports is expected to drive the global market from roughly 201.6 billion yen in 2022 to an estimated 438.2 billion yen by 2025, an average annual growth rate of approximately 30%*4.
REJECT boasts top-level players across various game titles, holding the top record among 80 teams domestically and demonstrating world-class competitiveness, including winning the 'PUBG MOBILE GLOBAL OPEN 2024'.
REJECT also has a large roster of popular talents, including streamers and VTubers, who attract fans both domestically and internationally through merchandise and apparel offerings. Moreover, by collaborating with its players, the company plans, develops and promotes gaming gear, such as finger sleeves, arm covers and mice, allowing it to build its unique brand power.
Since the establishment of the Rights & Brands Asia Ltd., a joint venture in Hong Kong in 2021, ITOCHU has been promoting the anime and character licensing business in the Asian market. Based on a network established through the use of anime and characters like Moomin*5, ITOCHU is accelerating the development of prominent Japanese content across Asia, including productions handled by SKY Perfect Pictures Inc.*6, which ITOCHU has invested in and engaged with.
Moving forward, ITOCHU plans to leverage its global network to increase the brand power of REJECT along with its players and talent, supporting their development both domestically andintenationally. In addition, through wholly owned subsidiary, ITOCHU Cable Systems Corp., ITOCHU will collaborate with REJECT to deliver state-of-the-art video transmission devices and equipment for esports competitions and events both in Japan and overseas*7.
In line with its The Brand-new Deal : Profit opportunities are shifting downstream management policy, ITOCHU will utilize the knowledge and expertise established in the esports market to provide new products and services that meet the diverse needs of customers in the core consumer-related sector. Through collaboration with REJECT, ITOCHU will continue to strive to advance the international presence of the Japanese esports team.
- *1Based on the actual performance of REJECT as of the end of October 2024
- *2Reference: eSports Statistics 2024 (Market Size, Growth & Viewers)
- *3Reference: Japan eSports White Paper 2023 published by JESU
- *4Reference: "eSports market size worldwide in 2022 and 2023, with a forecast to 2032" published by Statista
- *5Moomin: Story created by Finnish writer and painter, Tove Jansson (1914-2001).
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*6ITOCHU Announces Entry into the Animation Business — Through an Investment in SKY Perfect Pictures Inc., a New Animation Production Company
https://www.itochu.co.jp/en/news/press/2024/240325_2.html -
*7"ICS: Examples of initiatives in e-sports (electronic sports), ESPORTS / GAMING"
https://itochu-cable-systems.jp/products/ihse/case/esports.html
About REJECT Inc.
|
Company name | REJECT Inc. |
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Representative | Representative Director Shoya Koyama |
Headquarters | Toranomon 35 Mori Building 8F, 3-4-10 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
Established | December 2018 |
Capital | 608,961,250 yen |
Number of Employees | 36 |
URL | https://reject.co.jp/ |