Exec exits Asahi distribution arm

Thomas Hiraoka has left Asahi Broadcasting Corporation’s distribution arm after two years with the Japanese broadcaster.

Hiraoka worked in ABC International’s formats division as a sales exec, but exited yesterday, according to an email to industry contacts seen by TBI.

With his exit, Shusaku Inoue, Shoko Yoneda and Chio Mori will handle all format sales and contracts.

Tokyo-based ABC International was officially formed earlier this year under managing director Inoue as a subsidiary of ABC Frontiers Holding.

The unit sells formats such as Attack 25, Extreme Cooking Survivor, The Love Table and Picky Eater Saver, plus finished tape such as Detective Inukai: The Blank Manuscript, Cheer Idol and Detective Knight Scoop.