Prime Video has appointed Keisuke Oishi as its new country manager for Japan, effective January 20. A seasoned Amazon executive, Oishi previously served as director and general manager of Amazon Music Japan. He will report to Gaurav Gandhi, VP of Prime Video Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa, and succeed Kodama Takashi in the role.
Oishi brings a decade of Amazon experience to the role, having joined the company in 2014 after a stint at Sony Corporation. The Hitotsubashi University alum has climbed the ranks at Amazon Japan, holding key positions including head of the software and video game division and director of the entertainment media division, where he oversaw the company’s packaged media business across multiple entertainment verticals.
The appointment comes as the streaming giant strengthens its presence in the Japanese market, where it has become a key destination for local content. In addition to its core SVOD offering, Prime Video Japan has expanded into add-on subscription services and now features one of the country’s largest TVOD libraries. The platform has also made notable strides in live sports streaming, including boxing and baseball events that have resonated with Japanese audiences. According to a recent study by Media Partners Asia, Japan has the third-fastest growth rate in the rapidly expanding Asian streaming market, at 15%.
In an internal communication to the Prime Video Asia Pacific team, Gandhi expressed optimism about the platform’s trajectory in Japan. “We’ve seen great success with our content and incredible customer growth for Prime Video in Japan over the last few years thanks to all your great work, creativity, and relentless focus on the customer”, he wrote, adding that he remains 'super excited' about the service’s plans and initiatives for 2025.
In 2024, Prime Video dropped original productions in Southeast Asia. Japan and India remained unscathed. “There is no change in our investment focus in our other APAC territories including Japan and India”, Gandhi had said in a note to staff then.