#23 The Nation's 'Moe' Characters Assemble for the "Moe 1 Grand Prix" in Akihabara

Without a doubt, the Japanese word to spread throughout the world more than any other in the 21st century would have to be "kawaii," but there's also another word which is fast converging on globalization in its own right. That word is "moe."

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Anime｜ Event Reports｜ sightseeing｜ Trends｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.10.30

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#22 What’s Currently the Most Popular Japanese Anime at Cosplay Events in Hong Kong?

For one day during China’s golden week at the beginning of October 2012, some local girls in Hong Kong, who I met during a visit in April the previous year, showed me around their city.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Hong Kong｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Cosplay｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.10.23

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#21 Reunions in Doha. Talking Idols and Lolita Fashion in the Middle East!

How did I get to be the one standing in this place? I could be on my way home from dinner, standing on some random street corner somewhere in the world and this thought will occur to me. The faces of numerous people come to mind when I think about the people who helped guide my life down this particular path.

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

2012.10.16

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#20 International Students’ Views on Japan and the Japanese People

I’ve met countless young people in my line of work who dream of one day living in Japan. As a Japanese, it’s something that makes me extremely grateful to hear. There are people from all over the world living in Japan, whether it be for study or for work.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ China｜ Taiwan｜ Tokyo｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Fashion｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.10.07

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#19 An Cafe Connecting with the World. Interview with Members, Kanon and Takuya

Globally popular J-rock band, Antic Cafe (An Cafe), held their comeback concert at Yoyogi National Gymnasium (Tokyo, Japan) on the 8th and 9th of September 2012, and it was a smashing success.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Tokyo｜ Other Areas｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Music｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.10.02

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]18 Taking Back Harajuku! Fans Gather for An Cafe’s First Concert in Nearly 3 Years

On the 8th and 9th of September 2012, Japanese rock band Antic Cafe (An Cafe) held a concert at Yoyogi National Gymnasium - their first since their performance at the Budokan in January 2010.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Tokyo｜ Other Areas｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Music｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.09.26

[ICON] ☆Taku Takahashi - DJ, Producer, Visionary

The music scene in Asia vs. the current situation in Japan. Talking music and club culture with multi-talented DJ, m-flo member and block.fm producer, ☆Taku Takahashi.

Icon | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Music｜ Trends｜ J-POP｜ K-POP｜ Club music｜

2012.09.25

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#17 Why Young People Everywhere Want to Visit Japan.

In November 2009, I helped organize the Japan Pop Culture Festival (aka. J Fest) in Moscow, but until I stood up on stage at that event, never did I think that Moscow would become like a home to me.

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

2012.09.19

[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

[ICON] Sono Sion - Cinema genius charms all with his unique view of the world

We talk to Sono about the creative roots and attraction of his most recent work, which was greatly affected by the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and how this changed the script so much.

Icon | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Manga｜ Movies｜

2012.09.07

[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

[Report from Susu in Beijing] SUMMER SONIC 2011 - Beijing Selection Round

The latest report from overseas correspondent, Susu！ Selection rounds for the bands fighting to appear in the August festival SUMMER SONIC 2011 were held at MAO livehouse in Beijing.

Susu’s Beijing Report | China｜ Beijing｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Event Reports｜

2012.08.30

[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

[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

[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

[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

Ryuji's Beijing Report

Latest reports from our correspondents around Asia

FROM ASIA - The latest in pop culture from around Asia! | INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜

2012.08.02

[Report from Ryuji in Beijing] AKB48 show that Japan is Genki!

The “Genki Japan” campaign which aims to convey Japan’s vitality and appeal kicked off in Beijing. AKB48 participated in the campaign as a “cheer squad” and the venue raged with their singing and dancing.

Ryuji's Beijing Report | Beijing｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Music｜

2012.08.02

[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

[ICON] Yamamoto Kansai – Beyond the bounds of designer to become a world renowned multi talented producer

Yamamoto Kansai has firmly established himself as a fashion designer by being the first Japanese to hold a fashion show in London and also participating in the Paris and New York Collections.

Icon | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Fashion｜ Music｜ Talent/Idol｜ Trends｜ Art｜

2012.07.27