FACo2012 Asia Stage Photo -the first half-

March 25, 2012 FACo(Fukuoka Asia Collection)2012 was held.This snap is the first half of Asia Stage.

FASHION SNAPS | Japan｜ China｜ Thailand ｜ Taiwan｜ Fukuoka｜ Fashion｜ Event Reports｜ Talent/Idol｜

2012.08.07

[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

[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!]3 Ai Takahashi reveals the strength behind Hello! Project's 15 year history

I've written about Morning Musume and Hello! Project's connections to the outer world on a number of occasions in my previous publication, "J Pop Culture Observations"; my interviews with Ai Takahashi in particular receiving a positive response from people in Japan and all over the world.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Talent/Idol｜ Other genre｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.06.13

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#1 Interview with world loved singer and voice actress, Minori Chihara.

In my new column, “Sakurai Takamasa’s JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!” I’’ll be reporting stories and episodes of Japan’s growing connections with people and countries all over the world. For this commemorative first installment: my interview with the globally popular singer and voice actress, Minori Chihara.

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

2012.05.30

[ICON] Julie Watai - Gifted Creator and World Renowned Hard-Core Otaku

Julie Watai continues to express her unique view of the world as a photographer, musician and if the occasion demands, an idol. What otaku culture is this gifted creator focused on right now…Read on!

Icon | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Cosplay｜ Talent/Idol｜ Club music｜

2012.05.25

Nemu Yumemi presents How to "Wotagei" 2012

Learn how to "Wotagei" like a pro with Akihabara idol Nemu Yumemi! Plus all the key terms and info on the "wota" phenomenon!

feature | Japan｜ Fukuoka｜ Tokyo｜ Music｜ Talent/Idol｜ Other genre｜ Trends｜ videos｜

2012.05.08

[ICON] DANCEROID - The Next Wave of Pop Idols Born of a New Generation

DANCEROID was formed to dance on the Nico Nico Douga video site category “Odotte-mita” (I tried this dance). So just how did these girls rise to Nico Nico Douga fame and what does the future hold in store for them? Read on!

Icon | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Cosplay｜ Talent/Idol｜ Trends｜ Club music｜

2012.05.01

asianbeat FASHION SNAPS

asianbeat FASHION SNAPS

photos | Japan｜ Fukuoka｜ Event Reports｜ Talent/Idol｜ Club music｜

2012.04.19

Yonehara Yasumasa presents - Moshi Moshi Kawaii Harajuku!

Yone-chan, aka Yonehara Yasumasa, has recently opened a store in Harajuku, specializing in all things kawaii. If it’s Japanese kawaii culture you’re after, look no further!

Culture Watch (Latest News & Info) | Japan｜ Fashion｜ Talent/Idol｜ sightseeing｜ Hot Spot｜

2012.04.17

[ICON] Yonehara Yasumasa - Cheki Wielding Photographer and Spokesman for Youth Culture

Yasumasa Yonehara has built a career for himself taking photos of girls and his ability is recognized world wide. How did he get to be where he is today and what are his thoughts on the present day Japan? Read on!

Icon | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Fashion｜ Talent/Idol｜ Trends｜ Art｜ Media (TV / Magazines)｜

2012.04.12

[J-Pop Culture Observations]#53 Buono! Live in Paris – Report #2

Momoko Tsugunaga and Miyabi Natsuyaki of "Berryz Kobo," and Airi Suzuki of "℃-ute" – the three members who form the unit, "Buono!" – perform live in Paris.

J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Talent/Idol｜ Other genre｜ J-Pop Culture Observations｜

2012.04.04

[J-Pop Culture Observations]#49 Sayumi Michishige & Cinnamoroll #2 - Creating a Character from Scratch

“I’m a huge Cinnamoroll fan!”These were the few words from Sayumi Michishige following a live performance that set the ball rolling on a joint project between herself and the popular character series, Cinnamoroll.

J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Talent/Idol｜ Other genre｜ J-Pop Culture Observations｜

2012.03.05

HKT48 - Japan's Idol Boom Hits Fukuoka！

The HKT48 girls made their debut in Fukuoka in November 2011 and I was lucky enough to get an invite to their final show of 2011 and to what is fast becoming the most talked about show in town.

Dan's Report | Japan｜ Fukuoka｜ Music｜ Talent/Idol｜ J-POP｜

2012.02.14

[ICON] Kyary Pamyu Pamyu – The Harajuku Girl Setting the World on Fire

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has become a phenomenon as a model for the "Harajuku fashion", while at the same time writing a uniquely expressive blog.From last year she has started her musical career, the lead track “PONPONPON” was released to the world via the iTune®Store and YouTube, and her influence has spread throughout the globe.

Icon | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Fashion｜ Music｜ Talent/Idol｜ Trends｜ Club music｜

2012.02.07

[J-Pop Culture Observations]#34 Interview with Ai Takahashi Pt.1 – Becoming a Leader

Morning Musume, the Japanese idol group formerly lead by Ai Takahashi (up until Sept. 2011), first peaked my interest as a writer and journalist after I attended one of their concerts at Yokohama Arena in December 2010. I’ve seen countless performances at Yokohama Arena in the past, of both Japanese and international performers, but this concert was something else.

J-Pop Culture Observations | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Talent/Idol｜ J-POP｜ J-Pop Culture Observations｜

2011.11.22

[Report from Ally in Taipei] Neon Genesis Evangelion in Taiwan

Taiwan has diehard EVA fans, and EVA goods just keep selling

Ally's Taipei Report | Taiwan｜ Taipei｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Music｜ Talent/Idol｜

2011.02.01

[ICON] Sakura Inagaki Saki - The Kawaii Comedian with Bite

She looks cute with cosplay of Evangelion. She is new type of women commedian.We approached her honesty face likes Evangelion and being commedian.

Icon | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Fashion｜ Manga｜ Anime｜ Talent/Idol｜ Trends｜ Collaboration items｜

2010.12.21

SHOCK THE WORLD TOUR 2010 in FUKUOKA Photo Report

DJ is Tetsushi Hiroyama(RYUKYUDISKO)/Tomoyuki Tajiri(note native)/THE LOWBROWS(LINDATUNE)/YOICHIRO ITO(a.k.a AKAKAGE)and more...

PARTY SNAPS | Fashion｜ Music｜ Event Reports｜ Talent/Idol｜ Trends｜ sports｜ music festival & club event｜

2010.11.24