[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#25 Magic Miku. Hatsune Miku’s 3D Concert in Hong Kong and Taiwan

On October 2nd 2012, Hatsune Miku perfomed to some 3000 fans over two shows (midday and night) at Hong Kong’s KITEC Star Hall.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Hong Kong｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Cosplay｜ Event Reports｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.11.14

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#24 Morning Musume’s World Handshake Tour Hits Bangkok

On the 17th of September 2012, Morning Musume put on a mini concert (2 songs) and handshake session at Bangkok’s “Gateway Ekamai” shopping center.

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2012.11.07

#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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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2012.09.26

[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.

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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.”

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2012.09.12

[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.

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2012.09.05

[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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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2012.08.08

[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.

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2012.08.01

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#8 Kawaii Radio with Sakurai Takamasa and Uesaka Sumire feat. Special Guest, Michishige Sayumi

“Tokyo No.1 Kawaii Radio,” aka “Kawaraji,” is the name of the FM radio program I host with voice actress, Uesaka Sumire.

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2012.07.18

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#7 Hironobu Kageyama – the Ani-song Artist Connecting Japan with the World!

It hasn’t been that long since I began this cultural diplomacy line of work but I’ve already managed to find my way to more than 100 cities around the world. I’ve visited a total of 23 countries and from summer I’ll add one more country to that list with my visit to the Republic of South Africa.

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2012.07.11

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#6 The Kawaii Girls of Shenyang and Their Long Awaited Catwalk Debut!

Following on from last week’s article on the auditions for the Shenyang fashion show, on the 3rd of June 2012 it was show time.

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2012.07.04

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#5 Chinese girls in their most natural form – auditions for the Japan fashion show in Shenyang

Northern China is a very special place for me. In January 2010 I visited Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning province in northeast China. It may not be as big and well known as other cities like Beijing or Shanghai, but it does have a population of 20,000,000. It even has a direct flight route to Japan.

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2012.06.27