Cosdol Asia convention @Fukuoka Photo vol.1

July 18,2011,“Cosdol Asia convention”was held @ Tenjin Central Park (Fukuoka).This is the cosplay snap the first half.

COSPLAY SNAPS | Fukuoka｜ Manga｜ Anime｜ Cosplay｜ Game & e-Sports｜ Event Reports｜

2012.09.14

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#16 Idol meets Band, Harajuku meets Shimokitazawa. Collaborations unique to Japan.

I often get told by people in the music industry, “Sakurai-san, its hard believe you used to have no interest in idols whatsoever.”

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Tokyo｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Fashion｜ Music｜ Anime｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.09.12

"Comic Party" Photo Report Vol.3 & Neko Jump Interview

The passion for Japanese pop culture in Bangkok is fierce and here is the photo report from Bangkok’s “Comic Party” held on February 20-21 (2010) to prove it! Be sure to read our exclusive interview with Neko Jump as well!

COSPLAY SNAPS | Manga｜ Anime｜ Cosplay｜

2012.09.08

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#15 My First Visit to the Republic of South Africa

Generally speaking, I can probably divide the cultural diplomacy work that I do into two categories.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Other Areas｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Anime｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.09.05

Japanese pop culture, Chiang Mai style!

Chiang Mai is the second biggest city in Thailand and is located 720 kilometers north of the capital, Bangkok. Nicknamed “Rose of the North,” Chiang Mai is famous for its history and its beauty, and it was here that Thailand’s latest Japanese pop culture event was held.

Culture Watch (Latest News & Info) | Thailand ｜ Manga｜ Anime｜ Cosplay｜

2012.09.03

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#14 Shanghai turned Akihabara – The China International Comics and Games Expo

From July 12-16, 2012, I took part in the 8th annual China International Comics and Games Expo (CCG), which was held at the site of the former 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | China｜ Shanghai｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Anime｜ Game & e-Sports｜ Event Reports｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.08.28

“comic party” photo report　vol.2

February 20-21,2010,“comic party”was held @Bangkok Thailand.This is the cosplay snap the second.

COSPLAY SNAPS | Thailand ｜ Bangkok｜ Manga｜ Anime｜ Cosplay｜

2012.08.25

#10 The Otaku Room Overflowing with 2D Girl Love

In this installment we have a karaoke fanatic who spends an average of 12 hours belting out songs at karaoke parlors in a single visit!

"Otakus @ Home" What does the inside of an otaku’s room look like? | Manga｜ Anime｜ Game & e-Sports｜ Hobbies｜

2012.08.24

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#13 Interview with Voice Actor, Uesaka Sumire - Her Love of Russia and Aspirations for the Future

Of all the places I’ve visited in my line of work Moscow is somewhat special.
One thing that my work in cultural diplomacy has taught me is that some things you just have to go and experience for yourself.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Other Areas｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Anime｜ Talent/Idol｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.08.22

“comic party” photo report　vol.1

February 20-21,2010,“comic party”was held @Bangkok Thailand.This is the cosplay snap is the first half.

COSPLAY SNAPS | Thailand ｜ Bangkok｜ Manga｜ Anime｜ Cosplay｜

2012.08.17

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#12 What is it about Otaku Girls that has Everyone’s Attention? An Exclusive with Haruna Luna.

I’ve been traveling around the world promoting Japanese pop culture for more than four and a half years now, but lately, whenever I return to Japan, I find that the people I see most are young friends of mine who are probably best described as 'otaku joshi' (otaku girls).

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Anime｜ Talent/Idol｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.08.15

Feature “After School Midnighters”

August 25 (Sat) will see the much anticipated release of the feature anime After School Midnighters. We interviewed the Director and Producer as well as other involved parties with the keyword being “From Fukuoka to Asia”.

anime | Anime｜ Movies｜

2012.08.14

Kitakyushu Manga Museum – Now Open!

“Kitakyushu Manga Museum,” located inside Aru Aru City, opened to the public on August 3rd 2012. Here’s a preview of what you can expect.

Culture Watch (Latest News & Info) | Fukuoka｜ Manga｜ Anime｜ Hot Spot｜ Art｜

2012.08.13

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#11 B-grade Gourmet, Karaoke and Maid Café’s – Japan Expo 2012

In last week’s article I focused on Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s performance at Paris’ Japan Expo in July 2012. This week I will focus on the event as a whole.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ France｜ パリ｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Anime｜ Event Reports｜ Talent/Idol｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.08.08

“Machi★Asobi vol.6” vol.1

On 2011 March 3-5“Machi★Asobi” vol.6 in Tokushima was held.This is the cosplay snap is the first half.

COSPLAY SNAPS | Japan｜ Manga｜ Anime｜ Cosplay｜ Game & e-Sports｜ Event Reports｜ Hot Spot｜

2012.08.04

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#10 Embodying all that is Japan. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Live in Paris

In July 2012, I attended the Paris Japan Expo for the first time in two years. This time I wasn’t one of the producers of the event, I was able to take in the scenery just like all the other visitors, just like I did the first time I attended the event in 2008.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Other Areas｜ France｜ パリ｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Anime｜ Event Reports｜ Talent/Idol｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.08.01

Japan Expo 2012

It gets bigger each year and this year even Fukuoka had its part to play in the event. "Japan Expo 2012" featuring Fukuoka city! The turnout this year was incredible!

Culture Watch (Latest News & Info) | Fukuoka｜ France｜ Manga｜ Anime｜ Game & e-Sports｜ Event Reports｜ J-POP｜

2012.07.30

“Machi★Asobi” vol.5 in Tokushima

On January 25-February 6“Machi★Asobi” vol.5 in Tokushima was held.The whole town was flood with many cosplayer.

COSPLAY SNAPS | Anime｜ Cosplay｜ Game & e-Sports｜ Event Reports｜ Hot Spot｜

2012.07.27

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#9 Idols and Anime. Berryz Kobo Talk Anime and Performing Overseas

Whenever I see idol group Berryz Kobo perform live or meet with the members in person, I’m always reminded of the Yamanote Line in Tokyo.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Other Areas｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Anime｜ Talent/Idol｜ J-POP｜

2012.07.25

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#8 Kawaii Radio with Sakurai Takamasa and Uesaka Sumire feat. Special Guest, Michishige Sayumi

“Tokyo No.1 Kawaii Radio,” aka “Kawaraji,” is the name of the FM radio program I host with voice actress, Uesaka Sumire.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Anime｜ Other genre｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.07.18