What ZIP-FM does

ZIP-FM Inc. is a Nagoya-headquartered commercial FM radio station broadcasting at 77.8 MHz to Japan's Tokai (Chubu) region. Founded in 1993, the station operates a horizontal content platform spanning music programming (including the listener-voted ZIP HOT 100 chart), talk and news, business content, and community-oriented programming, with simultaneous distribution via Radiko online streaming and a dedicated podcast platform hosting over 30 original programs.

The core technology stack combines terrestrial FM broadcast infrastructure with digital distribution layers (Radiko live streaming, a Sonicbowl-hosted podcast platform, YouTube, and social channels), and includes ZIPKO, the station's first AI radio navigator deployed within the POCKET MORNING program for scripted audio delivery. The company also produces proprietary live-event IP, notably the annual SAKAE SAKE SQUARE sake festival featuring 50 breweries from Aichi and Gifu prefectures and the CRASH CAST theatrical series starring station navigators.

Monetization is multi-stream: traditional radio advertising and program sponsorship constitute the primary revenue base, supplemented by event ticket sales (sake festival pre-sale 3,000 yen; CRASH CAST seats 6,500–12,000 yen), and merchandise revenue through the ZIP-FM Official Store (zipfm.stores.jp). Corporate sponsorships span JR Central, Japan M&A Center, JAC Recruitment, Financial Create, Nagoya Institute of Technology, and House Wellness Foods, with membership in the Japan FM League (JFL) network extending cross-promotional reach. ZIP-FM also runs an SDGs-focused campaign and a podcast-distributed business program targeting local corporate managers and SME owners in the Tokai manufacturing belt.

Name

ZIP-FM

Legal name

ZIP-FM Inc.

Website

https://zip-fm.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ZIP-FM is a Nagoya-based commercial FM radio station (77.8 MHz) serving the Tokai region of Japan with music, news, business, and live event content, monetized through advertising, sponsorships, event ticketing, and merchandise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

FM Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Radio Station Groups (Owned & Operated/Station Chains) (MPABACAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ)

Keywords

• FM radio broadcasting
• Podcast distribution
• Live event production
• Radio advertising
• Sake festival events

Headquarters

HQ city

Nagoya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Advertising and Sponsorship: Traditional radio advertising and program sponsorship revenue from businesses targeting the Tokai region audience
2. Event Revenue: Ticket sales and merchandise from events like SAKAE SAKE SQUARE and CRASH CAST theatrical productions
3. Official Store Sales: E-commerce sales through ZIP-FM Official Store featuring merchandise, sake-related products, and event-specific goods

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ZIP-FM operates a commercial FM radio station at 77.8 MHz serving the Nagoya and Tokai region of Japan, delivering music, talk, and news programming. Content is distributed via terrestrial FM broadcast, online streaming on Radiko, and a podcast platform hosting more than 30 original programs. The station also produces ticketed live events including the SAKAE SAKE SQUARE sake tasting festival and CRASH CAST theatrical productions, and sells branded merchandise through its official online store.

Product overview

ZIP-FM is a Nagoya-based FM radio station (77.8 MHz) operating as the core platform, complemented by multiple sub-products and services. The main radio broadcasting service features music programming (ZIP HOT 100), news, and entertainment. Digital extensions include a podcast platform hosting over 50 original programs, including 'POCKET MORNING' with Japan's first AI navigator 'ジプコ（ZIPKO）'. Live events include the 'SAKAE SAKE SQUARE' sake tasting festival and 'CRASH CAST' theatrical shows. Business-oriented content is delivered through 'MONTHLY BUSINESS DIGEST NAGOYA'. The station maintains social impact through its 'SDGs Campaign THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE' initiative and participates in the Japan FM League network. An official merchandise store and time-free listening services round out the portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZIP-SHOP: ZIP-FM official merchandise shop
• ZIP OFFICIAL STORE
• ZIP HOT 100
• POCKET MORNING
• HEROQUEST
• SAKAE SAKE SQUARE
• CRASH CAST

Products and services

• ZIP-FM 77.8 Radio Broadcasting
• ZIP-FM Podcast Platform
• SAKAE SAKE SQUARE
• CRASH CAST Stage Shows
• ZIP-FM Official Store

Quantifiable outcome

• New monthly business program launching April 2026 targeting local business professionals

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.

• Japan M&A Center (日本M&Aセンター)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 March 2026ZIP-FM launched a new monthly business program 'MONTHLY BUSINESS DIGEST NAGOYA' featuring M&A trend analysis by Japan M&A Center's Chubu branch manager, targeting local business professionals in the Tokai region.
• Japan FM League (JFL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZIP-FM is a member of Japan FM League (JFL), a network of 5 major FM radio stations across Japan including FM NORTH WAVE, J-WAVE, FM 802, and CROSS FM. The alliance enables cross-promotion and content sharing among member stations.
• SAKAE SAKE SQUARE Partner Breweries (50 breweries)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZIP-FM co-hosts the SAKAE SAKE SQUARE event with 50 sake breweries from Aichi and Gifu prefectures, including 金虎酒造, 渡辺酒造店, 中島ابيع, and others, promoting local sake culture.
• 中日新聞社 (Chunichi Shimbun)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor regional newspaper providing media support and co-sponsorship for SAKAE SAKE SQUARE event.
• 愛知県城建組合 / 岐阜県城建組合連合会 (Aichi/Gifu Sake Brewer Associations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizers of SAKAE SAKE SQUARE sake tasting events, representing sake breweries in Aichi and Gifu prefectures.
• ハウスウェルネスフーズ (House Wellness Foods)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of SAKAE SAKE SQUARE 2026, providing promotional support and sample products ('ウコンの力' energy drinks) for event participants.
• JR東海 (JR Central)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerJR Central partners with ZIP-FM for co-branded programs including 'MEET THE LEADERS' and 'THANK YOU FOR 60 YEARS' Shinkansen anniversary content, reaching business professionals and travel enthusiasts.
• JACリクルートメント (JAC Recruitment)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRecruitment firm sponsors the 'get ready for success' business interview program featuring successful business leaders in the Tokai region.
• 名古屋工業大学 (Nagoya Institute of Technology)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerUniversity partners with ZIP-FM for 'TODAY'S SUPER CAST from NITech' program showcasing university research and technology innovation.
• 株式会社フィナンシャルクリエイター (Financial Create)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial planning company sponsors the 'MONEY NAVI' money education program, providing financial literacy content to listeners.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• TOKYO FM: Largest FM broadcaster in Japan, operating in the Tokyo market with nationwide content syndication. While not a direct JFL competitor in Tokai, it represents the larger incumbent that anchors Japan's commercial FM landscape and competes for national advertising budgets.
• Nippon Broadcasting System: Major AM radio broadcaster (part of Fuji Media Group) with nationwide reach, podcast distribution, and event production. Represents the broader Japanese radio incumbent that competes for ad share across formats and geographies.

Direct peers

• CROSS FM: Kitakyushu-based FM station and JFL network member. Operates a similar regional music-and-culture FM model with live events and digital extensions, directly comparable to ZIP-FM in its single-market regional FM positioning.
• FM AICHI: Nagoya-based FM station affiliated with CBC (Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting). Direct local competitor serving the same Tokai region and ad market as ZIP-FM, making it the closest head-to-head rival for listeners and regional ad budgets.
• J-WAVE: Tokyo-based FM radio station and fellow Japan FM League (JFL) member. Operates a similar full-service music and lifestyle FM format with podcast extensions and event-based revenue, representing ZIP-FM's most direct JFL counterpart and the network's flagship in the largest Japanese ad market.
• BayFM: Chiba/Tokyo Bay-area FM station with regional music, news, and event programming. Comparable regional FM broadcaster with similar ad-supported, event-augmented revenue model serving a non-Tokyo core market.
• FM NORTH WAVE: Sapporo-based Hokkaido FM station and JFL member. Comparable single-region FM broadcaster with music programming, events, and digital audio extensions, representing ZIP-FM's northern Hokkaido analog within the JFL alliance.
• α-STATION (FM Kyoto): Kyoto-based regional FM station with a similar single-market local focus, music programming, and digital extensions. Comparable as a mid-sized regional Japanese FM operator outside the JFL network.
• FM802: Osaka-based FM radio station and JFL co-member with a music-led format, festival events, and regional brand positioning similar to ZIP-FM. Comparable in scale, content strategy, and event-driven monetization, making it one of the closest analog peers for ZIP-FM's Kansai mirror.

Others

• Radiko: Japan's dominant online radio simulcast platform used by ZIP-FM for streaming distribution. Functions as a key distribution infrastructure partner and ecosystem enabler rather than a direct competitor, but its data and audience reach shape ZIP-FM's digital listening economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/zip_special
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/ZIPFMYouTube
• Facebookfacebook.com/zipfm
• Instagraminstagram.com/zipfm77.8
• TikToktiktok.com/@zip_special

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ZIP-FM