[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#61 From Idol to Band. The First Obstacle: The Live House Dressing Room!? Interview with LoVendoЯ

My two previous articles focused on Tanaka Reina and her departure from Morning Musume – a group she has been a part of for 10 years. This time I’ll be interviewing Reina and the members of her new band, LoVendoЯ.

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2013.07.24

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#60 Why Hello! Project is at the Forefront of Japan’s Idol Scene – Interview with Tanaka Reina – Part Two

Following on from my previous article, this is the second part to my interview with former Morning Musume member, Tanaka Reina, as she sets out on a new voyage with band, LoVendoЯ.

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2013.07.17

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#59 “As a singer, I don’t think I will ever be completely satisfied” – Interview with Tanaka Reina – Part One

I’ve been following the progress of Morning Musume since their live performance in Paris in 2010, as it was this particular event that changed my view of Japanese idols completely.

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2013.07.10

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#58 “I carry Japan in my heart” – Lolita Fashion Lovers are Japan’s National Treasures

Encounters can be mysterious things, and as such, I’m sure there wouldn’t be another man alive who has met as many lolita fashion lovers in as many far-stretching regions of the world as I have.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Hong Kong｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Fashion｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2013.07.03

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#57 Why Globalization-Focused Educational Reforms and Japanese Idols Performing Overseas Should be Discussed Collectively

Members of idol group, UP UP GIRLS kakko KARI, have twice been involved in significant events throughout the course of my cultural diplomacy activities.

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2013.06.26

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#56 Fans from Around the World Converge on the Budokan for Tanaka Reina’s Morning Musume Graduation

There comes a time when we all reach a turning point in our lives. I myself have experienced several turning points throughout my career in cultural diplomacy and what I consider to be my life’s work.

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2013.06.19

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#55 Hong Kong’s Cover Dance Teams and Their Favorite Japanese Idols of the Moment

Are you familiar with this term “cover dance”? It’s not exactly a term in common usage in Japan, but it’s extremely well known around the world, especially in South-east Asia.

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2013.06.12

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#54 Aspirations of the Charismatic Face of Lolita Fashion who carries on the Spirit of Japan’s Kawaii Ambassadors

Over the past five years that I’ve been involved in cultural diplomacy, the person I’ve shared the most ups-and-downs with would have to be model, Aoki Misako.

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2013.06.05

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#53 Interview with Director, Shinkai Makoto (Part Two). The Inspiration behind Director Shinkai’s Portrayal of Shinjuku in his Latest Work

This is the second part of my two-part interview with anime director, Shinkai Makoto, on his latest anime feature film, “Kotonoha no Niwa” (The Garden of Words).

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2013.05.29

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#52 Interview with Anime Director, Shinkai Makoto – "I want to show people the beauty in everyday scenery from a different angle"

Anime director Shinkai Makoto is renowned the world over and his latest theatrical length work is about to be released (May 31st 2013).

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Anime｜ Movies｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2013.05.22

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#51 Japanese Idols Have a Strong Support Base Overseas – Hanging Out with Idol Fans in Thailand

As the writer of this column, it’s quite gratifying to know that it’s also read by a number of people overseas.

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2013.05.15

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#50 Japanese Idols Representing Japan on the World Stage – Interview with Berryz Kobo Members, Shimizu Saki and Tokunaga Chinami – Part Two

Following their two live performances in Bangkok on March 10th 2013, three of the Berryz Kobo members (Sudou Maasa, Tokunaga Chinami, Natsuyaki Miyabi) then went on to perform in Myanmar the following day.

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2013.05.08

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#49 From Bangkok to Myanmar – Interview with Berryz Kobo Members, Shimizu Saki and Tokunaga Chinami – Part One

On March 9th 2013, Berryz Kobo performed live in Bangkok, Thailand, and then again the following day in Yangon, Myanmar.

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2013.05.01

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#48 Interview with “Alice Nine” Vocalist, Shou – Part Two

Alice Nine is like a gateway to Japan for all the young Japan fans throughout the world. Here is part two of my interview with Alice Nine lead vocalist, Shou.

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2013.04.24

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#47 Interview with “Alice Nine” Lead Vocalist, Shou - Part One

One of the most memorable moments of my work in cultural diplomacy thus far was my 11 night, 14 day tour of four Brazilian cities (San Paolo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Brasília) in November 2011 with the then Kawaii Amabassador, Misako Aoki.

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2013.04.17

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#46 Training Talented Individuals to Become International Producers – An Important Issue for the Japanese Economy

I often receive a lot of inquiries from business people from various industries regarding the popularity of Japanese culture overseas and international events that showcase Japanese pop culture.

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

2013.04.10

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#45 China-Japan Relations and Beijing’s Maid Izakaya, “Rojiura”

Maid izakaya, “Yaneura,” is a Japanese style pub in Beijing where the waitresses are all dressed as French maids. They’ve been featured on various TV programs and are quite well known now, even in Japan.

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2013.04.03

[ICON]Yun*chi － The next-generation songstress bringing Japanese original culture with a soft touch

Yun*chi is under the spotlight as a next-generation artist bringing Harajuku aomojikei culture to the world. We spoke to her about pop culture, her musical roots and herself.

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2013.03.29

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#44 Idols and Satoyama Life – Interview with Mitsui Aika, Wada Ayaka (S/mileage) and Sayashi Riho (Morning Musume)

“Ookami kodomo no Ame to Yuki” (in English: Wolf Children) was one of the big-hit anime feature films of 2012. The film depicts the story of a human woman who falls in love with a wolf-man, gives birth to two of his children and then raises them alone over a period of 13 years. The story centers on themes of childhood independence and a mother’s love for her children, and heavily features scenes of Japanese “satoyama.”

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

2013.03.27

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#43 Team Sakusaku – An Online Community for Japan Fans Around the World

For the past five years working in cultural diplomacy, my schedule has required that I spend a significant number of days in the year overseas. So far I’ve visited a total of 113 cities in 24 countries.

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

2013.03.20