“After School Midnighters”Exclusive Interview

Exclusive Interview with Director Takekiyo Hitoshi & the Producer and Production Staff

Feature “After School Midnighters” |

2012.08.14

[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

[ICON] Kamiyama Kenji - Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. Director talks Japanese Anime.

Director Kamiyama Kenji has gained high acclaim for his television animations such as the GHOST IN A SHELL: STANE ALONE COMPLEX series and EDEN OF THE EAST, a topical collaboration he worked on with Umino Chika. We talked with Kamiyama, who is at the forefront of Japanese animation, about its fascination.

Icon | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Anime｜ Movies｜

2012.07.13

#[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

[ICON] Nemu Yumemi – New Generation Cultural Icon Linking Akihabara and Harajuku

Nemu Yumemi is an idol so active that there is hardly a day that goes by where you don’t see her name in some form of media. We caught up with her personal side as she brings together the cultures of Akihabara and Harajuku.

Icon | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Anime｜ Art｜ Club music｜

2012.05.11

[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

[ICON] Kalafina - The Female Unit Whose Vocals Generate a World of Fantasy

Kalafina is a musical project put together by Kajiura Yuki. All those who listen to their unique music become drawn into their world of fantasy. And their popularity has gone beyond Japan as they begin to gain recognition worldwide.

Icon | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Music｜ Anime｜ J-POP｜

2012.04.26

[ICON] FPM Tanaka Tomoyuki - A DJ Making His Mark on the World Stage

DJ FPM has performed on the international stage playing in more than 50 cities all over the world. We talked to him about his career, perspectives and future direction.

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

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]#54 Buono! Live in Paris – Report #3 Interview with Airi Suzuki

Buono! fans from in and around France flocked to Paris to see the three girl unit perform live in what was a spectacular concert.

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

2012.04.11

[J-Pop Culture Observations]#47 Interview with Ai Takahashi on her performance at the Imperial Garden Theater

There was a very positive response from people all over the world for my previous article on Ai Takahashi following her departure from Morning Musume. However, it wasn’t until July 2010 when she performed live in Paris with fellow Morning Musume members that people outside of Japan really started to become aware of the artist, Ai Takahashi.

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

2012.02.21

[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]#36 Interview with Ai Takahashi Pt.3 – Japanese Idols and the Overseas Market

This is the third and final part in the three-week, successive series on my interview with Ai Takahashi after her graduation from Morning Musume – the idol group that has been leading the idol scene in Japan for more than 10 years.

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

2011.12.06

[J-Pop Culture Observations]#35 Interview with Ai Takahashi Pt.2 – On Performing Live

When talking about Ai Takahashi it’s hard not to refer to the showmanship and sheer talent that she displays during live performances. That same showmanship is what captivated me when I saw her perform in Paris in 2010.

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

2011.11.29

[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

[J-Pop Culture Observations]#33 Interview with Ani-song Industry Revolutionary and Lantis CEO, Shunji Inoue

This episode first begins in October 2008, in Barcelona, where I met with three particular girls: Haruhi, Mikuru, and Yuki – cosplayers of the “Haruhi Suzumiya” anime series.

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

2011.11.11

[ICON] Ohno Toshiya - Producer with a Modern Day Edge in the Pursuit of Realism

He will tell his future vision and talk about the scene of prosperity as through the editor of stylish magazine "FINE""WARP MAGAZINE JAPAN". You can check a continuation from here....

Icon | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Fashion｜ Music｜ Event Reports｜ Trends｜ Media (TV / Magazines)｜

2011.05.11