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November 21, 2024
 

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Patrick St. Michel
Patrick St. Michel is a Tokyo-based writer with a focus on Japanese music. He runs the blog Make Believe Melodies, which has focused on Japanese independent music since 2009. Besides The Japan Times, he also contributes to MTV 81 and The Atlantic.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Nov 28, 2022
Chuhai Labs takes a democratic approach to running its game studio
A former Nintendo employee takes what he learned from the gaming behemoth and aims to improve upon it at his own game studio.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Nov 18, 2022
Celebrities give a needed boost to Japan’s podcast industry
Companies are putting in greater efforts to make the podcast medium mainstream by teaming up with high-profile names such as Hideo Kojima to drive a shift in listener interest.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Nov 16, 2022
The return of K-pop and a cartoon cameo dot this year's 'Kohaku' lineup
The 73rd edition of NHK's annual musical extravaganza will see domestic acts such as Ryokuoushoku Shakai, Aimer, Be:First and JO1, as well as South Korean groups, take the stage.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Nov 13, 2022
Johnny's departures signal growing pains
Though netizens speculated wildly after Johnny & Associates announced the departure of notable figures, the likely explanation is simply that the talent agency is in a moment of transition.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Oct 26, 2022
Japanese pop culture in China: It’s complicated.
Japan and China recently celebrated 50 years of relations and, since then, Japanese art, film and music has had a major impact on Chinese society. Recently, however, the Chinese market has become increasingly difficult to navigate.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 6, 2022
Pop pioneer 'Yuming' reflects the spirit of the times
Yumi Matsutoya's arrival in the 1970s ushered in a new era of Japanese music. The singer-songwriter is now celebrating 50 years with a collection of hits titled, 'Yuming Banzai!'
Japan Times
CULTURE / Longform
Sep 26, 2022
Big in China, but can the party last for Japan’s artists?
Overseas artists can make a splash in China — provided they abide by the rules.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Sep 23, 2022
Tenka finds a deeper connection with the wilderness on 'Hydration'
Producer Daisuke Fujita's new project with the moniker 'Tenka' offers a sensory experience steeped in the beauty of nature.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Sep 17, 2022
'Konbini Confessions' captures the late-night antics of city dwellers
Rapper Miyachi's YouTube channel taps into local nightlife with humor and humanity, revealing a side of Japan not often seen in uploads centered on the country.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Sep 10, 2022
YouTubers Daidus and Emirichu follow their dreams to Japan
The illustrators, who moved to Tokyo earlier this year and are among the biggest names in the world of “storytime animators,” credit anime as a major influence on their style.
Japan Times
LIFE
Aug 28, 2022
Foraging vegetables and fending off roosters: Daily life on Shikoku's zero-waste frontier
Kana Lauren Chan has let her desires for direct action guide her across the globe — including to her latest stop in Japan's most eco-friendly town.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Aug 27, 2022
Online discourse sends netizens into a tizzy over Summer Sonic controversies
Two Japanese groups came under criticism online for seemingly mocking foreign acts during the music festival, even though many of the commentators were nowhere near the real-life scene.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 27, 2022
Overseas acts make a joyous return to Summer Sonic
The future of live concerts seems much firmer after this year's edition of the two-day music festival, which featured acts such as The 1975, Post Malone, Megan Thee Stallion and Maneskin.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 20, 2022
Ado stays in the shadows to let her music shine at live arena performance
The J-pop artist, who keeps her real identity concealed, recently held her second live show ever, during which she offered an alternative to how pop stars of her status usually have to be.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 18, 2022
Nanako Sato brings back the groove of a bygone era
The singer-songwriter's latest release, “Radio Moon and Roses 1979Hz,” captures the creative freedom of 1970s Japan.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 13, 2022
Expect a spectacle at this year's Summer Sonic
The summer music festival held concurrently in Tokyo and Osaka will roll out a roster loaded with overseas acts and a strong showing of rock and K-pop.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Aug 8, 2022
Fuji Rock's musical acts look to make a bigger splash with livestreams
As streaming becomes the norm for festivals wanting to draw a broader audience, artists are shaping their live performances with the YouTube audience and social media reactions in mind.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 6, 2022
Fuji Rock offers escapism once again
The summer music festival's 2022 edition marks a return to an event resembling 'normal.'
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 5, 2022
Backstage at Fuji Rock with Night Tempo
Electronic artist Night Tempo boasted a busy schedule with a live performance, a Showa pop DJ set and celebrity guests as one of Japan's marquee music events returned to form.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / Japan Pulse
Jul 30, 2022
Myaku-Myaku's unnerving cuteness wins over netizens
After organizers for the 2025 World Expo in Osaka revealed the name and final globulous form of its mascot, social media users quickly embraced Myaku-Myaku's strangeness in all its glory.
Ishiba delays meeting with Trump, citing legal restrictions
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba waves upon arrival for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, in Callao, Peru, on Friday.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Rising sex tourism exposes loopholes in Japan's anti-prostitution law
While financial misfortunes during the COVID-19 pandemic may have driven some women to work the streets, others simply want more money to spend — or want to pay off their debts — at host clubs.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?
By Kathryn Wortley

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