[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#37 Kawaii Fashion Show in Qatar!

As I wrote in my previous article, in the lead up to the close of the 2012 Doha International Book Fair, the “Japan booth” at the event hosted its own “Kawaii Fashion Show” – the first fashion show of its kind to be held in the city of Qatar!

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Other Areas｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Fashion｜ Event Reports｜ Talent/Idol｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2013.02.06

Japanese Denim Makes its Debut in Singapore!

Japan's "Okayama Denim" is considered among the highest quality denim in the world. An event was held in Singapore recently to showcase Okayama Denim to a broader Asian audience and show the people of Singapore why this Japan-made product has come to be labelled a world-class brand in its own right.

Culture Watch (Latest News & Info) | Japan｜ Other Areas｜ Fashion｜

2013.01.31

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#36 Lolita Fashion Starlet, Aoki Misako – a big hit in Qatar!

I first met Aoki Misako in February 2009. At the time I was on a panel of advisers to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, searching for candidates for the “Kawaii Ambassador” project and Aoki Misako just happened to be one such candidate who seemed perfect for the role.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Other Areas｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Fashion｜ Event Reports｜ Talent/Idol｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2013.01.30

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#35 Fahion, Beauty and the Moscow J FEST

Moscow's "J FEST" has become a signature event of the winter season in Moscow and is now in its fourth year – the most recent installment being held in December last year (2012). It’s the largest Japanese pop culture event of its kind in Moscow and the main attraction has remained constant from the very beginning: the fashion show.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Other Areas｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Fashion｜ Manga｜ Anime｜ Cosplay｜ Event Reports｜ Talent/Idol｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2013.01.23

Aru Aru City's "Naruto Play Stadium" and Kaiyodo Figurine Exhibition!

Photo report from Kitakyushu's (Fukuoka prefecture) Aru Aru City "Naruto Shippuden Play Stadium" and the Kitakyushu Manga Museum's "Kaiyodo Figurine Exhibition"!

Culture Watch (Latest News & Info) | Japan｜ Fukuoka｜ Anime｜ Art｜

2013.01.17

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#34 Makino Yui Performs Live and a Special Message from Uesaka Sumire to Her Fans – Moscow J FEST 2012

“When I stood up on stage, I found out just how much love for Japan there is.”
That’s what singer and voice actress, Makino Yui, said to me backstage after her performance at J FEST in Moscow.

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

2013.01.16

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#32 Why is Cosplay so Important to Anime Cultural Diplomacy? – Russia's “J FEST”

What is it about cosplay that is so important to anime cultural diplomacy? That’s what I want to talk about this week.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Other Areas｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Cosplay｜ Event Reports｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2013.01.02

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#31 Takahashi Ai’s Thoughts on Joining the Cast of "Detective Conan"

It was more than 15 years ago now that I met “Detective Conan” producer, Suwa Michihiko, when we just happened to end up sitting next to each other at the same bar in Shinjuku’s Golden Gai.

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

2012.12.26

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#30 Two Days with Anime Director Mizushima Seiji and a Few Good Otaku in China

From October 26~29, 2012, the 5th annual Cartoon and Animation Festival was held in China’s coastal city of Amoy.
I was invited to intend the event as a guest, along with “Mobile Suit Gundam 00,” “Fullmetal Alchemist,” and “Natsuiro Kiseki” director, Mizushima Seiji.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ China｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Anime｜ Event Reports｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.12.19

POWER OF GIRLS from TOKYO

In the second edition of our [POWER OF GIRLS from TOKYO] series, we introduce Higashi Kanae, who is the organizer of“Hakuchumu”, a corroborative event between young female creators born in the Heisei era. Hakuchumu crosses boundaries of fashion and art, and Higashi Kanae just loves the power generated by the girls working together, as they bring their brave new world of culture to all corners of the globe - culture created by the powerful potion of girls expressing themselves in a way that up to now has been taboo to speak of.

feature | Japan｜ Fashion｜ Talent/Idol｜ Trends｜ Art｜

2012.12.13

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#29 Xiamen (Amoy) International Cartoon and Anime Festival is a Cosplay Paradise.

It may just be my personal opinion, but I think China is the world’s biggest cosplay superpower. Their love of cosplay is second to none. Young people in China always look so happy when they talk about cosplay. It’s such a pleasant sight to see.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ China｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Anime｜ Cosplay｜ Event Reports｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.12.12

Japan Rediscovers ‘Yurukyara’ Mascots

It has been a couple months since the 2012 ‘yurukyara’ grand prize contest has come to a close. Let's take a look at the winners!

Culture Watch (Latest News & Info) | Japan｜ Fukuoka｜ Other genre｜ sightseeing｜ デイリートピックス週末版｜

2012.12.10

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#28 Interview with Morning Musume’s Fukumura, Iikubo and Ishida – Part 2.

Following on from my article last week, here is part 2 of my interview with the three teen members of Morning Musume that took part in their World Handshake Tour: Fukumura Mizuki, Iikubo Haruna and Ishida Ayumi.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Thailand ｜ Bangkok｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Talent/Idol｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.12.05

asianbeat 4Koma Manga Contest

Manga is not only a global phenomenon; it’s a medium that fosters shared values and mutual understanding amongst teenagers and young adults all over the world. Thus, in hopes of further cultivating a common awareness and understanding among the youth in Asia, asianbeat will attempt to harness the power of manga culture and host the ‘4koma’ (four cell) Manga Contest!

Award | Japan｜ China｜ Fukuoka｜ Other Areas｜ Manga｜ Event Reports｜

2012.12.05

Fun and Fascinating Fukuoka Part 2: Yanagawa Boat Cruises, Okawa, and the Yame Doll Hall

From the ordinary to the extraordinary, we will be selecting some of the best spots that Fukuoka has to offer, some of which are from our very own experiences. This second installment will be featuring: Yanagawa, Okawa River, and the Chikugo area, including Yame.

Culture Watch (Latest News & Info) | Japan｜ Fukuoka｜ Other genre｜ sightseeing｜ デイリートピックス週末版｜

2012.12.03

Christmas in Fukuoka!

With Fukuoka full of festive cheer and anticipating the upcoming Christmas holiday, dazzling lights and decorations are being strung up around nearly every corner of this beautiful city.

Culture Watch (Latest News & Info) | Japan｜ Fukuoka｜ Other genre｜ sightseeing｜ デイリートピックス週末版｜

2012.11.30

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#27 The World is but a Stone’s Throw Away! What did the Three Teen Members of Morning Musume Feel on their World Tour!?

As I’ve reported in previous articles, Morning Musume are currently in their 15th year, and to celebrate, they commenced their “World Handshake Tour,” performing for fans in Taipei, Bangkok, Paris and Seoul.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Thailand ｜ Bangkok｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Talent/Idol｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.11.28

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#26 How Do Voice Actors Become the Characters They Play? Let’s Ask Uesaka Sumire.

Uesaka Sumire is a Japanese voice over actress and lover of all things Russian. She is currently working on a TV anime called “Chunibyo demo Koi ga Shitai!” voicing the role of one of the female characters, Dekomori Sanae.

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

2012.11.21

POWER OF GIRLS from TOKYO Vol.3 Josen Drum Dancers (ROBOT RESTAURANT)

Our third group of girls in the [POWER OF GIRLS from Tokyo] series is the “‘Josen’ Drum Dance” unit of the latest and craziest addition to Kabukicho’s (Shinjuku, Tokyo) cabaret milieu, “Robot Restaurant.” Raunchy outfits, drum and dance routines, and a performance like no other. This is surrealism at its sexiest. Expect to be wowed!

POWER OF GIRLS from TOKYO | Japan｜ Tokyo｜

2012.11.15

Fun and Fascinating Fukuoka Part1: Sazae-san Street, Dante Monument & Hard Rock Cafe

From the ordinary to the extraordinary, we will be selecting some of the best spots that Fukuoka has to offer, some of which are from our very own experiences. First on the agenda: The Momochi Area – home to Fukuoka Tower and Yahoo Dome.

Culture Watch (Latest News & Info) | Japan｜ Fukuoka｜ Other genre｜ sightseeing｜ デイリートピックス週末版｜

2012.11.12