[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.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

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.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

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.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2013.06.12

Hooked on BAND A

Recently, I discovered and have taken a liking to a band known as BAND A and therefore would like to talk a bit about them.

Culture Watch (Latest News & Info) | Japan｜ Fukuoka｜ Tokyo｜ Music｜ J-POP｜

2013.06.06

Global Popularity of Japanese Pop Culture Picks Up Speed

"Japan Expo" attracts some 200,000 people each year and we had the chance to interview the event's vice president, Thomas Sirdey, who enthusiastically spoke to us about the potential for the growth and development of Japanese pop culture in the European market.

Culture Watch (Latest News & Info) | Japan｜ France｜ Manga｜ Anime｜ Event Reports｜ J-POP｜

2013.05.01

[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.

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

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!]#40 BABYMETAL: The Idol Group Set to Take the World by Storm

The idol group that has caught my attention as the ones to watch in 2013 would have to be BABYMETAL. Their concept is Japanese idol group meets metal, and it reflects the unique kind of thinking that Japan has come to be renowned for.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Tokyo｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Music｜ Talent/Idol｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2013.02.27

MTV LIVEDAM Sing for Smile Tour 2013 in FUKUOKA

GENERATIONS from Exile Tribe, Miura Daichi and K-Pop group, U-KISS, in Fukuoka!

Culture Watch (Latest News & Info) | Japan｜ Event Reports｜ J-POP｜ K-POP｜ Club music｜

2013.02.25

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#35 Fahion, Beauty and the Moscow J FEST

Moscow's "J FEST" has become a signature event of the winter season in Moscow and is now in its fourth year – the most recent installment being held in December last year (2012). It’s the largest Japanese pop culture event of its kind in Moscow and the main attraction has remained constant from the very beginning: the fashion show.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Other Areas｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Fashion｜ Manga｜ Anime｜ Cosplay｜ Event Reports｜ Talent/Idol｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2013.01.23

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#34 Makino Yui Performs Live and a Special Message from Uesaka Sumire to Her Fans – Moscow J FEST 2012

“When I stood up on stage, I found out just how much love for Japan there is.”
That’s what singer and voice actress, Makino Yui, said to me backstage after her performance at J FEST in Moscow.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Other Areas｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Anime｜ Event Reports｜ Talent/Idol｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2013.01.16

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#28 Interview with Morning Musume’s Fukumura, Iikubo and Ishida – Part 2.

Following on from my article last week, here is part 2 of my interview with the three teen members of Morning Musume that took part in their World Handshake Tour: Fukumura Mizuki, Iikubo Haruna and Ishida Ayumi.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Thailand ｜ Bangkok｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Talent/Idol｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.12.05

[JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!]#27 The World is but a Stone’s Throw Away! What did the Three Teen Members of Morning Musume Feel on their World Tour!?

As I’ve reported in previous articles, Morning Musume are currently in their 15th year, and to celebrate, they commenced their “World Handshake Tour,” performing for fans in Taipei, Bangkok, Paris and Seoul.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Japan｜ Thailand ｜ Bangkok｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Talent/Idol｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.11.28

[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.

JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN! | Thailand ｜ Bangkok｜ INTERVIEW / SERIALS｜ Event Reports｜ Talent/Idol｜ Trends｜ J-POP｜ JAPAN! JAPAN! JAPAN!｜

2012.11.07

SUNSET LIVE 2012 REPORT

From August 31st to September 2nd 2012, Itoshima in Fukuoka Prefecture hosted its 20th Sunset Live! Here we introduce our photo report from the event.

Sunset Live | Music｜ Event Reports｜ J-POP｜ Club music｜

2012.11.01

SUNSET LIVE

August 31-September 2,2012, Sunset Live 2012 was held.We mainly introduce picture of "SUNSET LIVE2012" as conclusion of SUNSET report.

Etcetra SNAPS | Fukuoka｜ Music｜ Event Reports｜ Hot Spot｜ J-POP｜ Club music｜

2012.10.19

[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