Yoshimitsu Kaji has joined Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan (SPEJ) as theatrical marketing manager, having been marketing director at Warner Bros International Distribution for the last two years.

Reporting jointly to Nigel Clark, executive vice president of international marketing for Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International (CTFDI) and to Keiko Aoki, general manager for SPEJ, Kaji will be responsible for creating and overseeing marketing campaigns for all Columbia TriStar films and local productions in Japan including media planning and purchase, publicity and promotions.

Kaji replaces the recently promoted Aoki. He started his career in 1986 at Fuji Bank Ltd, subsequently becoming an account executive at Tokyu Agency International and then Leo Burnett-Kyodo. He later spent five years at Coca-Cola Japan Company Ltd starting as advertising manager and rising to the position of communication manager for the company's coffee business group.