Tag - j-pop

 
 

J POP

Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Jul 6, 2017
Twice shows just how resilient K-pop can be
Last week, Korean pop group Twice made its "official" debut in Japan, featuring the release of a Japanese-language best-of compilation and a showcase at Tokyo Gymnasium on July 2. In between, the members appeared on the popular weekly TV show "Music Station" and posed in front of Tokyo Tower, which displayed...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jul 4, 2017
Eating the dreams of Keiichi Tanaami
"Kurai" ("It's dark") says someone as we open the door at the new entrance of Nanzuka gallery in Shibuya, Tokyo. Yet, the freshly painted black walls and dimly lit stairs inside set the mood for a gallery specializing in underground art, and provide the perfect contrast to the explosion of color that...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
May 12, 2017
Deep dive into the 1980s with the music of Satellite Young
Synthesizers, drum machines and Vocoder-filtered vocals in the style of pop star Chisato Moritaka — this was 1980s Japan, and it's the sound of Satellite Young.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 22, 2017
Shinobu Yaguchi can make sparks fly, even off the grid
When I met Shinobu Yaguchi at a Chicago sushi restaurant on March 1, I made my usual mistake with well-known directors: mention that I had interviewed him before. He, understandably, blanked, since the interview was 20 years ago for his 1997 indie comedy "My Secret Cache" ("Himitsu no Hanazono")
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 19, 2017
Asako Toki presents a more modern take on city pop on 'Pink'
Asako Toki "Pink" (Rhythm Zone)
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Feb 7, 2017
Lady Gaga soars over Super Bowl stage with bow to inclusion
Standing atop the roof of Houston's NRG Stadium with drones illuminating an American flag in the night sky behind her, Lady Gaga kicked off her Super Bowl halftime set on Sunday by singing "God Bless America" as a subtle message of inclusion and unity in a deeply divided United States.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 2, 2017
Justin Miller brings an American touch to one of Japan's richest musical genres: Showa pop
Justin Miller isn't a stranger to Japanese TV. He has been a guest on various morning shows to promote Showa Kayo Night, a party he co-founded in 2011. But the reaction he got after appearing on TV Tokyo's evening program "You wa Nani Shi ni Nippon E?" ("Why Did You Come To Japan?") really surprised...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 22, 2017
For Tracy Hyde polishes its indie aesthetics on 'Film Bleu'
For Tracy Hyde's "Film Bleu" presents an elegant way for an indie-pop band to exist in a different realm. The group has been around since 2012, started by guitarist Azusa Suga merging twee-ish rock with strokes of electronica.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 15, 2017
Paellas aim to redefine the sound of 'now'
Fitting into the sound of the moment while still standing apart from it can be a tricky thing to do. Paellas guitarist Satoshi Anan says he wanted the feeling of "now" to come out on his band's newest album, "Pressure."
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 27, 2016
SMAP makes final appearance on signature variety show before breakup
SMAP made its final appearance as a group Monday ahead of its planned breakup Saturday, on the final episode of the pop act's signature variety show.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 25, 2016
Love 'em or hate 'em, the end of SMAP marks the end of an era
The Olympics have always been popular in Japan, and this year's games in Rio de Janeiro were no exception. While NHK was broadcasting the games in the early hours of Aug. 14, a breaking news message flashed across the screen: "SMAP to disband Dec. 31."
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 18, 2016
'Chubby' group Pottya takes aim at obesity prejudice
Competition is cutthroat among Japan's thousands of idol wannabes, but one approach seems to be working for a group of "chubby" girls deploying their cheeky cuteness to combat prejudice against obesity.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Dec 12, 2016
SMAP fans collect 370,000 signatures to urge breakup rethink
A group of avid fans of SMAP has collected 373,515 signatures in Japan and abroad to petition the pop group's members to change their mind about breaking up at the end of this year.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Dec 5, 2016
Let's discuss SMAP's 'Kohaku' no-show
NHK announced the lineup for the next edition of its 'Kohaku' music contest, but SMAP was not on the list.
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
Nov 21, 2016
Pikotaro's 'PPAP' sets Guinness World Record
Comedian Pikotaro's music video 'Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen' has been recognized as the shortest song ever to make the U.S. Billboard Top 100 singles chart.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Nov 19, 2016
Is Japanese pop music losing its relevance?
Shukan Bunshun recently ran some articles describing how last year the talent management company LDH allegedly paid entertainment behemoth Burning Productions to ensure that one of LDH's acts would win the top prize at the 2015 Japan Record Awards (JRA). Accompanying one of the articles was a photo of...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Sep 25, 2016
Will Hikaru Utada's new album 'Fantome' change the rules of modern J-pop?
'As trends fade into the cultural rearview mirror, Hikaru Utada is a prime candidate to bring back what J-pop has lost in her absence: relatability.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Sep 24, 2016
Without concerted effort from Japan's industry players, online scalping looks unstoppable
Until all the various players in the industry work together for a solution, internet concert ticket resellers will continue doing a roaring trade.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Sep 18, 2016
'High & Low Original Best Album' lives up to its name with definite highs and lows
LDH, the company behind Exile, Sandaime J Soul Brothers and E-girls, seems to be on a mission to win the J-pop crown. Its latest salvo is themultimedia project High & Low, which consists of a drama, film, album and tour.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Sep 18, 2016
Kana Nishino's 'Just Love' may drive cynics mad, but her pop formula is working
Kana Nishino has been a marquee name since debuting in 2008, but this July she finally owned the spotlight with "Just Love."

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