Epic Records (Epic Records Japan, J-Pop label, established 1978; use ONLY for releases by Japanese domestic artists after 2001!)

Epic Records Japan is an imprint established by SonyMusic (Japan) dating back to 1978. (Both the imprint and the parent record company have nothing to do with the US-based Sony Music. The independence of this label is currently reflected in its logo and artist signings being different from those currently seen in the New York-based Epic.)

International artists were once handled by the Epic/Sony label group and appeared under one of several different labels, such as this Epic label, a separate "Epic International" label (defunct 1991), or the artist's original non-Japanese label. The international artists using this label (probably because they were under Columbia outside Japan) remained so until May 2001, when they were moved to a new division. Since May 2001, the only releases under this label should be by Japanese domestic artists.

Note that the "Epic" brand was introduced to Japan in 1971 by CBS/Sony Inc. as a different label, but the artists appearing under that brand have nothing to do with this label and Japanese artist roster started in 1978.

Using Sony Music Distribution (Japan) as a label reference,
"エピックレコードジャパン" -> this label is correct
"エピックレコーズ インターナショナル" -> Epic Records Int'l
"Epic Records('06.09〜)" -> Epic (US)