Mino Iizuka Lee
Irvine
Summary
Strategic Music Industry All-Rounder & Rights Operations Specialist with 15+ years of end-to-end experience spanning Sony Music, Square Enix, and Fuji TV (East Co., Ltd.). A rare professional who bridges the gap between creative production grit and rigorous rights management. Expert at translating production needs into legally sound deal terms, backed by a Keio Law background. Renowned for maintaining exceptional calm and decisive judgment in "zero-error" environments, such as live national broadcasts and complex artist management. Now dedicated to leveraging deep Japanese roots to contribute to global music operations at the vanguard of entertainment.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
FREELANCE MUSIC RIGHTS & ASSET CONSULTANT
Contractor for Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Japan)
Irvine, CA
10.2023 - Current
- System Innovation Lead: Architected and led the development of a proprietary system to automate master recording data extraction and ISRC-to-Asset ID mapping.
- Revenue Optimization: Optimized global rights tracking for major IP, resolving ownership conflicts and maximizing digital revenue streams through technical and legal precision.
Music Administration & Production Leader
SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
Tokyo, Japan
04.2014 - 07.2023
- Legal & Contract Strategy (2017–2023): Primary lead for coordinating with the Legal department on all active contracts. Used production insights to anticipate risks, ensuring business terms were practically executable.
- Revenue & Operations: Managed comprehensive sales reporting for global digital distribution and physical packages. Oversaw departmental budgeting and multi-million dollar P&L.
- Production & Entertainment (2014–2016): Managed end-to-end master recording production and produced large-scale orchestral concerts, overseeing talent negotiations and complex on-site operations.
A&R / Director
SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (JAPAN) INC.
Tokyo, Japan
10.2009 - 01.2014
- Chart-Topping Success: Simultaneously directed creative and promotional strategies for 4 major-label artists, leading a featured album to #1 on the Weekly Charts in Japan.
- Stakeholder Management: Navigated complex relationships with diverse talent agencies, ensuring project alignment while overseeing master production and artist development.
Production Assistant Director
EAST CO., LTD.(Seconded to Fuji Television)
Tokyo, Japan
03.2004 - 01.2009
- High-Pressure Live Broadcasts: Key production member for high-profile, live year-end music specials. Excelled in time-sensitive, high-stakes environments where zero-error execution was mandatory.
- End-to-End Content Creation: Managed the full production lifecycle for three weekly music programs. Developed a reputation for staying calm during live broadcast "happenings."
Education
Bachelor of Science - Political Science / Laws
Keio University
Tokyo, Japan04-2005
Skills
- Production-Led Legal Coordination: Interfacing between Creative, Legal, and Finance to facilitate fast-paced deal-making
- Rights & Asset Operations: Expert in YouTube Content ID (CMS), ISRC/Asset ID mapping, and global rights tracking
- Revenue & Supply Chain Management: Global digital sales reporting and physical package (CD/Vinyl) inventory control
- Crisis Management: "Calm in the storm" mindset developed through live TV production and high-profile artist management
- Bilingual Leadership: Native Japanese / Business Professional English with a deep understanding of Japanese and US market standards
Certification
- Certified Foundations of Project Management, Google - 08/2024
- Certified Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project, Google - 08/2024
Languages
English
Professional Working
Japanese
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
FREELANCE MUSIC RIGHTS & ASSET CONSULTANT
Contractor for Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Japan)
10.2023 - Current
Music Administration & Production Leader
SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
04.2014 - 07.2023
A&R / Director
SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (JAPAN) INC.
10.2009 - 01.2014
Production Assistant Director
EAST CO., LTD.(Seconded to Fuji Television)
03.2004 - 01.2009
Bachelor of Science - Political Science / Laws
Keio University