Asahi Kokusai

Asahi Kokusai is an international version of TV Asahi, owned by TV Asahi Corporation and operated by Kabushiki Gaisha ABS.

History
The concept of an international TV Asahi channel was first proposed in September 2004. TV Asahi Corporation then looked to its English-language broadcasting partner, Kabushiki Gaisha ABS. The name "Asahi Kokusai" ("Kokusai" being a Japanese word for "international") was conceived on the 1st of December 2004, and TV Asahi released a statement confirming that Kabushiki Gaisha ABS would launch the channel on February 9, 2005.

At 9:00am UTC on February 9, 2005, the channel officially launched.

Operation
The station itself is owned by Asahi Kokusai Housou Co, Ltd. This entity was created by TV Asahi Corporation and Kabushiki Gaisha ABS, and is responsible for overseeing the network's activities. The station itself is operated by Kabushiki Gaisha ABS.

Availability
Asahi Kokusai is free-to-air in most countries that it serves, alongside the Aso Broadcasting System. The channel is not available in Japan, as TV Asahi itself already serves the country with its BS Asahi satellite service.