What FM NORTH WAVE does

FM NORTH WAVE is a commercial FM radio station headquartered in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, broadcasting on 82.5 MHz with regional relay coverage across six Hokkaido cities: Sapporo, Hakodate (79.4 MHz), Otaru (79.5 MHz), Asahikawa (79.8 MHz), Kushiro (80.7 MHz), and Obihiro (82.1 MHz). Founded in August 1993 and now in its 33rd year of continuous operation, the station serves the Hokkaido general audience with music, local news, weather, traffic, lifestyle, and cultural programming. Its flagship properties include the SAPPORO HOT 100 weekly chart (aggregating CD sales, FM airplay, and Spotify rankings) and a portfolio of music and talk programs such as KAT'S IN THE MORNING, GOGO RADIO COMPANY, RADIO GROOVE, and Rock Vibrations!. The company is incorporated as 株式会社FM NORTH WAVE and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of YAMACHI UNITED GROUP, a diversified Sapporo-based conglomerate.

Name

FM NORTH WAVE

Legal name

株式会社FM NORTH WAVE

Website

https://fmnorth.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Short description

FM NORTH WAVE is a Sapporo-based commercial FM radio station broadcasting on 82.5 MHz across six Hokkaido cities, delivering music, local news, and entertainment to a regional Hokkaido audience, and diversifying into branded merchandise, print services, and hospitality.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM) (MPAIAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE), Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ), Radio Content Production & Studios (On-air Production, Imaging, Jingles) (MPAIAEAL)

Keywords

• FM radio broadcasting
• Regional radio station
• Radio advertising services
• Music chart programming
• Podcast distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Sapporo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Broadcasting & Advertising: Traditional FM radio broadcasting with advertising revenue from businesses promoting to listeners across Hokkaido
2. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling branded merchandise including T-shirts, towels, stickers, masks, book covers, and other FM NORTH WAVE branded products
3. Print Services (ACCEA): On-demand printing services at 3 Sapporo locations including business cards, flyers, posters, promotional goods, and coworking space
4. Business/Promotion Services: NORTH WAVE for BUSINESS - advertising and promotion services for businesses

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

FM NORTH WAVE operates a commercial FM radio station broadcasting on 82.5 MHz from Sapporo, Hokkaido, with simulcast coverage across six Hokkaido cities. It produces and distributes music, entertainment, and lifestyle programming, complemented by digital streaming via Radiko, podcast syndication, and listener membership services. The company also sells radio advertising and promotional solutions to businesses targeting Hokkaido audiences.

Product overview

FM NORTH WAVE is a commercial FM radio station based in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, broadcasting on 82.5 MHz with regional coverage across multiple cities. The station operates as a unified platform combining traditional radio broadcasting with digital distribution, offering a diverse portfolio of music programs centered around SAPPORO HOT 100 (a weekly chart program), specialty music shows like Rock Vibrations! (Western rock), and listener engagement services through My NORTH WAVE membership. The station has expanded into podcast distribution across major platforms, operates an e-commerce store for branded merchandise, and diversified into print services (Acea) and restaurant operations (82.5坪). The core offering remains the radio broadcasting service, supplemented by business advertising services, event promotions, and merchandise sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• My NORTH WAVE: Listener membership service offering exclusive prizes, event invitations, and other member-only benefits.
• SAPPORO HOT 100
• 82.5坪 (82.5 Tsubo)
• FM NORTH WAVE Online Shop

Products and services

• FM NORTH WAVE Radio Broadcasting Service
• SAPPORO HOT 100
• Rock Vibrations!
• My NORTH WAVE
• NORTH WAVE for BUSINESS
• FM NORTH WAVE Online Shop
• Acea Print Services
• 82.5 Tsubo (82.5坪)

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• JTBminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor for 33rd anniversary special broadcast. JTB offered Thailand travel campaign for FM NORTH WAVE listeners through 10 Hokkaido JTB stores.
• 株式会社アウルメンテナンスminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor for opening anniversary special. Log house and general housing company involved in renovation and maintenance.
• SMB建材株式会社minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor providing outlet building materials platform, contributing to resource circulation and sustainability.
• 清田しいたけファームminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting company for opening anniversary event with shiitake mushroom bouquets and cakes.
• たくみぱんminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBakery collaborating on special anniversary bread products for the station's 33rd anniversary.
• 株式会社いちえ北海道minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting company for anniversary celebrations.
• ーパティスリーICHIEminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConfectionery company supporting anniversary celebrations.
• 三菱地所minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for SAPPORO HOT 100 and other program segments providing weather information.
• 公益財団法人北海道スポーツ協会minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Be Ambitious Hokkaido segment promoting sports information in Hokkaido.
• タイ国政府観光庁coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSabaai Sabaai Thailand program is officially recognized by Tourism Authority of Thailand. DJ Jono serves as Thailand Tourism Authority-certified Thailand Specialist Director.
• レバンガ北海道minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional basketball team featured as guest on Be Ambitious Hokkaido segment during anniversary special broadcast.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• bayfm78: Chiba/greater-Tokyo commercial FM station with music and lifestyle programming, regional frequency coverage, and digital streaming. Comparable to FM NORTH WAVE in operating scope and advertiser base.
• α-STATION (FM Kyoto): Kyoto-based commercial FM station offering music, lifestyle, and local content across multiple distribution channels. Comparable as a regional Japanese commercial FM with similar music format and local advertiser focus.
• FM802: Osaka-based commercial FM station with a comparable music-discovery and lifestyle format, regional frequency coverage, and digital extensions. Closest analog to FM NORTH WAVE's regional music-station positioning outside Hokkaido.
• FM COCOLO: Kansai-based commercial FM station with a music-discovery format, local content focus, and digital streaming via radiko. Direct regional peer with similar commercial FM music positioning.
• J-WAVE: Tokyo-based commercial FM music station with similar music-led programming, digital streaming via radiko, and a premium advertiser base. Most directly comparable to FM NORTH WAVE in format and operating model, just at a larger Tokyo scale.
• TOKYO FM: Major Tokyo commercial FM station offering nationwide reach, lifestyle programming, and multi-channel digital distribution. Comparable operating model and revenue mix (advertising-led), but with significantly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• ZIP-FM: Nagoya-based commercial FM station with music and lifestyle programming, local event activation, and digital streaming. Comparable as a regional commercial FM with a music-led identity and local advertiser focus.
• Inter FM897: Tokyo-based commercial FM station with music programming and digital streaming. Comparable music-led FM operating model with digital distribution and event-based listener engagement.

Broad incumbents

• TBS Radio: Tokyo-based commercial radio broadcaster offering news, talk, sports, and music programming with podcast distribution. Comparable broadcasting operating model and advertiser base, but as part of a larger TBS media portfolio.
• Nippon Broadcasting System (LF): Major Tokyo-based AM radio broadcaster (radio and podcast operator) with broader national reach and established advertiser relationships. Comparable broadcasting business model but operates in AM with national footprint rather than regional FM.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/northwave825
• Facebookfacebook.com/northwaveshop
• Instagraminstagram.com/northwave_shop

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

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 FM NORTH WAVE