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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
Apr 25, 2017
Pop music catches up to De De Mouse
Daisuke Endo made peace with EDM thanks to Mister Donut. The electronic artist, better known by his stage name De De Mouse, eats at the snack chain frequently. Recently, he says he has been enjoying the American pop music they pipe into the store.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Apr 22, 2017
Yuzu Kosho Chicken flavor chips: A tasty boon amid the potato shortage
Japan is experiencing a potato shortage. Caused by typhoons that hit Hokkaido last summer, the result is that potato chips have become scarce across the country. Well, at least some varieties. Though a handful of styles and flavors remain relatively plentiful, other fan favorites have vanished from shelves....
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / Wide Angle
Apr 20, 2017
Japan, take pride in 'Your Name.'
Two weeks ago, the United States' box office saw a surprising animated feature take the top spot and generate large amounts of discussion — and memes — on social media.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Apr 15, 2017
Noz by T.Y. Farm brings 'seed to table' ethos to Tokyo
Futoshi Ota has lofty goals for Noz, a new restaurant that brings the grand vision of his company one step closer to reality.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Apr 15, 2017
American Cherry Pie Frappuccino: Crust crumbs distract from otherwise tasty treat
We all can use a little indulgence from time to time, especially in such exhausting times. Thankfully, there's always an eye-grabbing dessert being wheeled out by a chain restaurant in Japan to focus on.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 11, 2017
Hard-core vinyl fans are fueling a revival in obscure Japanese music from the 1980s
Fans of Japanese vinyl have good reason to be happy. HMV recently opened a store in the Kichijoji area dedicated to selling records — the third such establishment in Tokyo — and April 22 is Record Store Day. What started in 2012 as four artists putting out special releases has evolved into...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 11, 2017
The beginnings of Mariah's sound
When U.S. label Palto Flats reissued Japanese band Mariah's album "Utakata no Hibi" ("Ephemeral Days") in 2015, it wasn't the first time an obscure record from the bubble era had been given new attention. However, the critical praise that followed the release triggered new interest in Japanese artists...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Apr 8, 2017
Steamed cake that looks like an egg: Form over flavor
...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Apr 1, 2017
'Oil cut' doughnuts: Most of the taste with half the guilt
Eating desserts — whether as an occasional treat after dinner or for a bi-weekly newspaper column — can lead to complicated feelings. Of course, most of the time it's a delicious experience that leaves you happy and satisfied in the moment. But minutes after, the shame of all those extra...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Mar 24, 2017
Pakuchi and Lemonade: Harnessing the thirst-quenching power of coriander
Pakuchi, called coriander in English, has been enjoying its time in the sun as a trendy ingredient in restaurants and recipes across the country as of late.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 19, 2017
Yurufuwa Gang infuses plenty of positivity into its hip-hop sets
Yurufuwa Gang are one of the latest Japanese hip-hop acts to be getting attention from both domestic media and overseas players. As the nation's rap scene experiences something of a modest boom, the pair of Ryugo Ishida and Sophiee seem poised to be part of it.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 19, 2017
Zombie-Chang's 'Gang!' reveals an unexpected new side
Chaos breeds a lot of surprises but the biggest shock coming out of genre-blending artist Zombie-Chang's latest album, "Gang!", is the flashes where she sounds like someone capable of being a mainstream pop performer.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Mar 17, 2017
Chouxcream Chouxcri's Cassius Orange: A 'syukurimu' for true connoisseurs
Lovers of dessert, rejoice. The Chouxcream Chouxcri dessert store outfit have opened a second establishment selling syukurimu made from top-line ingredients near Shinjuku Station. The new outpost offers the chain's signature cream puff (¥290), but the highlight is clearly the Shinjuku-only Cassius...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 16, 2017
Radwimps were the perfect choice when it came to soundtracking 'Your Name.'
Yokohama Arena feels special on this chilly Tuesday night in early March. It's here that Radwimps — a rock outfit from Kanagawa Prefecture whose members could bike to this very venue when they were teens — are playing the first of two sold-out shows.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Mar 12, 2017
Militant approach to collecting fees hurts JASRAC's reputation
At the start of 2017, it was hard to imagine a way that the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers (JASRAC) could garner more hate from social media users than its already received. The music copyright management organization has long been one of the most loathed institutions...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Mar 10, 2017
Sakura Kaoru Cheese Souffle Cake: A new twist to an old theme
For the most part, Lawson's new Sakura Kaoru Cheese Souffle Cake looks more intriguing than it actually tastes, though it packs a surprise twist.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Mar 3, 2017
Patisserie Kihachi kick-starts spring with Mont Blanc Sakura sweet
It may not feel like it, but spring is right around the corner, and for the nation's dessert makers that means everything gets a bit pink as they capitalize on the coming of the ever-fleeting cherry blossoms.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Feb 24, 2017
Pocky's vanilla variety pairs well with a particular side
To properly enjoy Pocky's creamy vanilla variety, you're going to need a drink. According to the snack's intricate advertising campaign, it is ideally complimented by a new strawberry-flavored tea, where the two flavors join to resemble strawberry shortcake.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 19, 2017
Could Wednesday Campanella's 'Superman' be the album that saves mainstream J-pop?
Wednesday Campanella "Superman" (Warner Music Japan)
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Feb 17, 2017
Black S'more Pancake: More than the sum of its many parts
Sometimes, simply piling sweet tastes onto a dessert is a winning strategy. As it happens, The J.S. Pancake Cafe chain is offering up a chocolate Black S'more Pancake until the end of February.
Who needs AI when you have Hatsune Miku?
Over the first six months of 2024, a handful of songs using Vocaloid singer Hatsune Miku’s voice have enjoyed widespread attention, underlining a global interest in the character and the technology she represents.
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.
Shooter came within inches of killing Trump, but left few clues as to why
An aerial view shows the stage where Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump had been standing during an assassination attempt the day before, and the roof of a nearby building where a gunman was shot dead by law enforcement, in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Sunday.
Yen’s woes seem too big for even a BOJ hike this month to solve
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
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.
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.

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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