ab：The crackdown on the Entertainment Business Law is changing the club culture in Japan, what is your opinion on this?

Tanaka: It’s no good. A law that stops adults from drinking and dancing – no way! By all means crack down on minors smoking and drinking. But the Entertainment Business Law is an anachronism. The crackdown in America Mura in Osaka has turned it into a ghost town, resulting in the opposite – crime has risen and it has an image of being dangerous. I really hope that if they want real reform in these days of economic stagnation, they should get the nighttime economy going. What do you think will happen if one type of entertainment disappears? It is a market and part of the economy. People have been dancing through the ages and I think it is a basic human right.

ab：In addition as being a DJ you are active in a variety of fields including music production and you recently made the music for a UNIQLO TV commercial. In your creative work do you have a motto, or any special creed that you follow?

Tanaka: If you think of it as work, it is no fun. For example, when I was given the ominous task of coming up with something for the UNIQLO brand, I said that I would do it on the condition of being able to have fun, and they gave me a free rein. In the TV commercial work they gave me the theme and let me express myself freely and it was great fun. I love that kind of work. The UNIQLO commercial gained high international acclaim and won a prize at Cannes. It was a great honor for me.

ab：Is there anything that has got your attention recently?

Tanaka: I created a fashion brand called List, and I have been having fun working on that.

ab：Do you have a motto?

Tanaka: “You’re only a DJ if you get a crowd going.”

ab：Here at asianbeat we focus on Japanese pop culture. Do you have any interests outside music?

Tanaka: When I travel overseas, I often get asked about anime and Kitano Takeshi. But when I go to, let's say France or Korea, their government provides support to promote their culture overseas, and I think it is about time Japan does the same. We have been overtaken by Korean companies in cars and electronics, and as Japan’s industry plateaus out I think it will be pop culture that will prop up our exports. So, in this way I love art and fashion and I think it would be a good idea for the government to help out, and for example in addition to the Japan Record Award they should make a dance music award or a remix award. That would really motivate young people.

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