●Playing ‘All Night Fuji’ at Fuji Rock Festival (2011).

--After recent crackdowns on certain laws pertaining to establishments in Japan operating under the Entertainment Business Act, Japanese club culture has begun to change. What are your thoughts on this issue?

☆Taku: Japanese culture, the tourism industry, economic circulation – I think these laws are having an adverse impact across multiple fields. I don’t understand why, in this day and age, they’re enforcing these laws that prohibit dancing in places that serve alcohol. It makes no sense to me. Adults aren’t allowed to dance after midnight? It’s ridiculous. And getting them to change the law is almost out of the question. I don’t think something like Europe’s 'Second Summer of Love'* is likely to occur in Japan either unfortunately. But we have to push on and try and counter this from multiple angles, otherwise nothing is going to change. Gather signatures, start lobbying, etc. (These kinds of actions certainly aren’t a strong point of the Japanese people, though.)

--You’re a renowned artist, DJ, and radio station producer. You’ve got all this experience under your belt but what is it you want to convey with all of your work?

☆Taku: Messages vary with different songs, but with my DJing, joy is what I want people to feel. I like a whole range of genres, like house, dubstep, drum & bass, moonbahton, hip-hop, and I just want to be able to share all these things that I like with people as much as possible. I think that nowadays, DJs focus much more on the entertainment factor than what they used to in the past. They put on performances, incorporate video installations into their sets; I too try to make my gigs as entertaining as possible.

--Is there anything that you’re paying close attention to at the moment?

☆Taku: That would have to be Asia. I hope that Asia takes well to m-flo and my solo work as a DJ. And of course not only Asia; I want to go to various other places as well.

--Do you have a favorite motto?

☆Taku: “Nedaru na, kachi-tore, sasureba ataeraren.” (Don’t just want for something; go out and earn it. Only then will it be yours.)

--Our website deals with various aspects of Japanese pop culture (such as anime, manga, music, fashion, etc.). What is it that you’re interested in?

☆Taku: Korean pop. They’re pop music is close to the stuff you hear in clubs. I’m doing my best with m-flo to try and bring Japan to that level also. My involvement with anime and games has also increased lately too. I seriously hope that I could create an anime of my own one-day.

--What are your goals or aspirations from here on?

☆Taku: I’m going to try harder to get my name and what I’m doing out there in Asia. If we’re going to turn things around in Japan, I think that first we have to step it up ourselves. And, as I said previously, connect with Asia and expand the entertainment business. If all of Asia worked together as one, I really think we could take it to the West.

--Do you have a message for the readers of this site?

☆Taku: Thank you for taking the time to read to the very end of the interview. On block.fm you can hear the sounds of some of the worlds best DJs – from Europe, Asia, and of course, Japan. Please check it out. M-flo is back in action as well, so be sure to check out our latest stuff also. Thank you.

(Interview: July 16th 2012)

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