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July 16, 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
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.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 28, 2022
Fuji Rock Festival eyes a return to form
Overseas acts are back on the lineup but local artists will make the most of those sultry nights at one of Japan's marquee summer music festivals.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Jul 28, 2022
'Sailor-Moon'-inspired group SG5 shows how anime can lift up J-pop
As the music industry opens up to digital realities, the Sailor-Scout-themed pop group and other nascent acts are utilizing anime's popularity to leapfrog into greater consciousness.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 15, 2022
Kamasami Kong gives voice to city pop's resurgence on 'FM Station 8090'
The radio DJ and personality brings his distinct narration style to the soundtrack of Japan's bubble era.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 7, 2022
Tokyo rock quartet Hazy Sour Cherry's strange adventure
The band breaks out of its comfort zone on 'Strange World,' a playful set of indie-pop songs inspired in part by the sense of exploration in Western media such as 'Stranger Things.'
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Jul 4, 2022
YouTube escapism offers a glimpse of Japan's luxurious life
From luxury apartments to swanky ski lodges, real estate agent Alex Shapiro showcases the country's most lavish real estate on his YouTube channel, Tokyo Portfolio.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 2, 2022
'Softly': Tatsuro Yamashita looks to the future with timeless optimism
Two Tatsuro Yamashitas exist in 2022. There's the patron saint of city pop and a musical symbol for all things bubble-era Japan, and then there's the 69-year-old pop tinkerer still exploring his craft on “Softly.”
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Japan Pulse
Jun 25, 2022
Baseball dance craze has the internet asking again, 'What does the fox say?'
What started out as a fun segment between innings at Nippon Ham Fighters' games now has athletes, fans and netizens busting a move to Ylvis' chart-topping 2013 hit “The Fox.'
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 24, 2022
Sakanaction, tofubeats and Tohji reimagine the album format in 2022
Six months into 2022, artists are putting listeners more in control of how they experience new releases.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / Japan Pulse
Jun 11, 2022
YouTuber PewDiePie's 'honeymoon phase' brings positive vibes to Japan content
The YouTuber's relocation heralds a shift toward content focused on newcomers enthusiastically exploring the country and living out their dreams after years of pandemic restrictions.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Jun 5, 2022
Harry and the house that Hosono built
None other than global pop star Harry Styles takes inspiration from one of Japan's most-talented musicians. The question is, will the West follow?
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 2, 2022
Japan's music festivals are prepping for a summer comeback
Music acts are coming in from overseas and a hobbled festival scene is hoping to have its best year since the pandemic began.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
May 27, 2022
Lyricist Takashi Matsumoto on Happy End, writing for pop and helping change the course of Japanese music history
Happy End's decision in 1970 to play American-inspired yet sing in Japanese proved to be a watershed moment for pop music here.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
May 20, 2022
Vicke Blanka opens up about shifting musical influences and life as a 'Supervillain'
It is often said that great art comes from tragedy and struggle. Musician Vicke Blanka knows this all too well, and his latest track 'Changes' is the result.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 22, 2022
Anna Takeuchi discovers the power of positive pop
While many musicians embraced the glum stagnation of the COVID years, Anna Takeuchi chose to take those lemons and make lemonade with her new album, 'Tickets.'
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Apr 12, 2022
Surprise Netflix hit 'Old Enough!' proves Japanese TV is good enough for overseas
Local favorite u2018Old Enough!' has found renewed success on the streaming service, charming audiences abroad and revealing the strength of Japanese comfort content.
Bloodied Trump survives assassination attempt at political rally
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded and evacuated by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump was rushed off stage at the rally after shots rang out.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
Amid same-sex marriage ban, LGBTQ couples opt for 'photo weddings'
A lesbian couple, consisting of a 35-year-old woman (left) and 40-year-old woman, cover their faces with bouquets as they pose for wedding photos in Yokohama on Nov. 1.
China and Russia conduct joint Pacific military patrol
The Russian corvette Gromkiy enters the Chinese port of Zhanjiang as part of a joint China-Russia naval exercise on Saturday.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.
How to tweak your diet when temperatures spike
Most people think of hydration as a strictly liquid-based concept, but eating foods with high water content is an essential part of making it through a Japanese summer unscathed.

Podcast

You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
By Tomoko Otake

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Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals
Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals

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