MUMBAI: Disney's Buena Vista International Television Japan (BVITV-J) has promoted Harry Tanaka to vice president, sales, as announced today, Walt Disney Television International Japan Senior VP and M D Paul Candland to whom he will report.

In his new role, Tanaka will manage the day-to-day sales operations of BVITV-J to maximize opportunities for the business, in particular the transformation to direct free television distribution in this market, informs an official release.

Commenting on the appointment Candland said, "Harry has been a key contributor in the growth of Disney's TV business in Japan. His background, combined with his experience with us over the past four years, has uniquely prepared him for this position. In his new post at BVITV-J, he'll continue to bring the best of our content to viewers all over Japan."

Tanaka joined The Walt Disney Company in November 2002 as a lead legal counsel, supporting both the Disney Channel and BVITV businesses in Japan. A four-year employee of The Walt Disney Company, Tanaka was promoted to Executive Director, Business Development in 2005. Heading up that group, he has been responsible for extending distribution of Disney's content to both new and existing platforms.