To find out what 2006 meant to others in Japan, we spoke to people involved in the industry. Here's their take on the best, the worst and what comes next.

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Polysics, the Japanese pop-punk band that spent much of this year taking their Devo-inspired madness on the road, is fronted by singer-guitarist Hiroyuki Hayashi. After touring in the U.K. with Kaiser Chiefs in 2006, early next year they plan to hit the U.S.