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Kyary Pamyu Pamyu – the Harajuku girl setting the world on fire
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has become a phenomenon as a model for the "Harajuku fashion", while at the same time writing a uniquely expressive blog.From last year she has started her musical career, the lead track “PONPONPON” was released to the world via the iTune®Store and YouTube, and her influence has spread throughout the globe.
- Icon | Japan | Fashion | Music | Talent/Idol | Trends | Club music
- 2012.02.07
#44 Impressions of China with a Miss Japan Finalist
Since engaging in cultural diplomacy activities with China in January 2010, I have visited the country a total of 12 times (up until December 2012). That’s about one trip every two months.
- J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan | Other genre | J-Pop Culture 見聞録
- 2012.02.01
#45 The power of song! Teresa Teng’s “Give yourself to the flow of time”
Over the past two years, from January 2010 to December 2011, I've made 12 trips to China and there's always been one particular song that has been right there by my side the whole time: the late Teresa Teng's "Give yourself to the flow of time."
- J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan | Other genre | J-Pop Culture 見聞録
- 2012.01.31
#43 From Russia to Japan with Love: Moscow's J FEST!
This year marked the third staging of the Japanese pop culture event, "J FEST," and this week I would like to express the importance of this, and such other, events which are so crucial in fostering cultural and diplomatic relations with people overseas.
- J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan | Other genre | J-Pop Culture 見聞録
- 2012.01.24
Rakushow in TNC Broadcasting Building
Around 400 cosplayers gathered for the "Rakushow in TNC Broadcasting Building" event held in Fukuoka. Not even snow could put a dampner on this event as all were out to show off their threads and prove their cosplay prowess.
- COSPLAY SNAP | Japan | Fukuoka | Cosplay | Events
- 2012.01.16
#42 The Kawaii Maids of Moscow
In November last year I made my third consecutive visit to Moscow in three years. The thing that surprised me most this visit was the establishment of a maid café that had recently opened in Moscow not but 2 months prior. It made me wonder just how far Japan’s maid café culture will disperse throughout the world.
- J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan | Other genre | J-Pop Culture 見聞録
- 2012.01.12
#41 Japanese Idols and Moscow’s “Morning Musume” Cheer Squad
One of the things that Japanese pop-culture fans overseas long for most is to see Japanese idols perform live, but unlike anime songs and genres such as visual-k which have found strong support all over the world, Japanese idols and their live performances are still yet to find a place on the international scene.
- J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan | Other genre | J-Pop Culture 見聞録
- 2012.01.06
#40 Russian Girls Love Harajuku Fashion! "J FEST" Fashion Show Audition Photos Revealed
“J FEST” is Moscow’s biggest Japanese modern culture event and the part of the event that everyone hangs out for every year is the fashion show that showcases various brands straight out of Harajuku.
- J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan | Other genre | J-Pop Culture 見聞録
- 2011.12.27
#39 The Moscow University Student who takes her own Bento to School! “I can’t make it as good as Japanese people do, though…”
As I’ve mentioned in a previous article, every year, the Japanese consulate in Moscow holds a Japanese modern culture event called “J FEST” and I made my way there in November to take part.
- J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan | Other genre | J-Pop Culture 見聞録
- 2011.12.27
#38 Italy – A Cosplay Super Power! Cosplayers Flock to Italy’s World Cosplay Summit Qualifying Round
When it comes to cosplay, Italy is right up there with fellow cosplay super powers, China and Brazil, and when I visited Rome’s “ROMICS” in September 2010, Italy’s cosplayers were out in force.
- J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan | Other genre | J-Pop Culture 見聞録
- 2011.12.20
#37 Let us join in too! Middle-age men and Rome's ROMICS 2011
This year, for the first time since 2009, I took part in Rome’s premier Japanese pop-culture event, ROMICS, which was held over four days: from September 29 to October 2, 2011.
- J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan | Other genre | J-Pop Culture 見聞録
- 2011.12.13
#36 Interview with Ai Takahashi Pt.3 – Japanese Idols and the Overseas Market
This is the third and final part in the three-week, successive series on my interview with Ai Takahashi after her graduation from Morning Musume – the idol group that has been leading the idol scene in Japan for more than 10 years.
- J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan | Other genre | J-Pop Culture 見聞録
- 2011.12.06
ASIA VOCALOID FESTA Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery from the ASIA VOCALIOD FESTA held on October 23 at IMS Hall in Fukuoka. Vocaloid cosplayers from countries and regions all over Asia came together to find out who is number one!
- Etcetra SNAP | Japan | Fukuoka | Cosplay | Events
- 2011.12.02
#35 Interview with Ai Takahashi Pt.2 – On Performing Live
When talking about Ai Takahashi it’s hard not to refer to the showmanship and sheer talent that she displays during live performances. That same showmanship is what captivated me when I saw her perform in Paris in 2010.
- J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan | Other genre | J-Pop Culture 見聞録
- 2011.11.29
ASIA VOCALOID FESTA
The ASIA VOCALIOD FESTA was held on October 23. Vocaloid cosplayers from countries and regions in Asia got together to find out who is number one, and we covered the event, which included popular Nico Nico Douga video web site dancers’ shows and a lecture by the Vocaloid 3 maker and YAMAHA, with exclusive photos and reports.
#34 Interview with Ai Takahashi Pt.1 – Becoming a Leader
Morning Musume, the Japanese idol group formerly lead by Ai Takahashi (up until Sept. 2011), first peaked my interest as a writer and journalist after I attended one of their concerts at Yokohama Arena in December 2010. I’ve seen countless performances at Yokohama Arena in the past, of both Japanese and international performers, but this concert was something else.
- J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan | Talent/Idol | J-POP | J-Pop Culture 見聞録
- 2011.11.22
Gundam Bar "ODESSA"
You don’t have to go to Akiba to live out your otaku fantasies – there’s plenty to do right here in Fukuoka! Dan’s “This is Otaku-oka!” 3 part special! - PART 3!!
#33 Interview with Ani-song Industry Revolutionary and Lantis CEO, Shunji Inoue
This episode first begins in October 2008, in Barcelona, where I met with three particular girls: Haruhi, Mikuru, and Yuki – cosplayers of the “Haruhi Suzumiya” anime series.
- J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan | Other genre | J-Pop Culture 見聞録
- 2011.11.11
#32 Linlin and Akari Saho team up for a performance in Harbin, China!
I reported in issue #26 of this column that Morning Musume graduate, Linlin, and Akari Saho of Up Up Girls, recently took part in an event in Harbin. Now I’m going to fill you in on all the finer details of that event.
- J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan | Other genre | J-Pop Culture 見聞録
- 2011.11.08
behind FUKUOKA - Yasumasa Yonehara×FUKUOKA girls -
Maids, models, hair stylists…girls! Through this collaboration project, asianbeat and photographer, Yasumasa Yonehara, will reveal the kawaii factor behind Fukuoka! “Fukuoka – the kawaii holy-land.”
