Tag - music

 
 

MUSIC

Jake Murdoch has recently begun performing songs in Japanese, including new single "Every1 Loves U."
CULTURE / Music
Aug 18, 2023
Teenage music prodigy brings feel-good pop to Tokyo
With 16 instruments under his belt at the young age of 13, Jake Murdoch sets his sights on learning the ropes of Japan's music scene.
Creativeman President Naoki Shimizu says Summer Sonic has been featuring an increasing number of Asian acts in recent years, a change that reflects the growing number of Asian visitors attending the music festival. This year’s standouts include K-pop group NewJeans, whose Summer Sonic performance will be its first Japan show ever.
CULTURE / Music
Aug 18, 2023
NewJeans, Blur and Kendrick Lamar head to Summer Sonic
While Summer Sonic’s reputation as an international showcase holds strong, the event has become an important launchpad for homegrown performers.
The Gacha Pop playlist on Spotify offers a wonderfully scattered collection of J-pop chart-toppers, long-running favorites and next-generation names, reflecting the global ambitions of homegrown artists.
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Aug 11, 2023
The summer of Gacha Pop
Spotify’s curated playlist encapsulates J-pop’s diverse range, but more than that, it shows how Japanese music travels in the world today.
The music score for “Glory to Hong Kong”
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 8, 2023
Hong Kong government to appeal in failed bid to ban protest song
Reiterating that disseminating the song was a national security crime, the government said its injunction was crucial to safeguarding the city.
Taiwanese singer Chang Hui-mei — also known as "A-Mei" — poses with her mother (second from left) on the red carpet in Taipei in 2016.
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Aug 8, 2023
Chinese fans barred from wearing rainbows at gay-friendly show
Being gay, bisexual or transgender is increasingly seen by some in China as a concept imported from the West.
This year’s Fuji Rock Festival, which took place last weekend and featured The Strokes, Foo Fighters and Lizzo as headliners, brought a cumulative total of 114,000 attendees to the mountains of Niigata Prefecture.
CULTURE / Music
Aug 4, 2023
Fuji Rock’s diversity is back — and it feels great
Millennial rock, Gen Z rap and a Sinead O’Connor tribute fill a stellar weekend of music.
Foreign entertainers are now permitted to work in event venues with a capacity of more than 100 people — including standing-only establishments — that sell food and drinks.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 1, 2023
Japan loosens requirements for entertainer visas
Entertainers earning more than ¥500,000 or more per day are now able to stay for up to 30 days, an increase from 15 days.
Photo: Mount Fuji is shot from above so that you can see the trails leading to its summit.
PODCAST / deep dive
Jul 26, 2023
A tale of two Fujis: Bullet climbs, crowds and Lizzo
With the borders fully open, Mount Fuji is all booked up and Fuji Rock is back in full force. Drew Damron and Patrick St. Michel join us on the podcast to discuss Japan’s two favorite Fujis.
At this year’s Fuji Rock Festival, big-name acts The Strokes, Foo Fighters and Lizzo will serve as headliners at the main Green Stage.
CULTURE / Music
Jul 25, 2023
Rap acts stand out in Fuji Rock’s diverse lineup
Kanagawa rap crew Bad Hop’s final hurrah and Lizzo’s Sunday night swagger are set to deliver some of the most memorable moments of the three-day music extravaganza.
Demonstrators sing the "Glory To Be Thee, Hong Kong" protest song during a flash mob in 2019.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 21, 2023
Hong Kong court says protest song is matter of national security
The city’s High Court on Friday heard the government’s argument for why it should be illegal to perform or broadcast Glory to Hong Kong with criminal intent.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jul 23, 2023
The personal chefs feeding today's global tours
Many tours for A-list artists now include a vegan chef and place a priority on physical and mental well-being as well as lessening environmental impact.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 28, 2023
Liverpool gets by with a little help from the Beatles
Music tourism is big business for some of the hometowns of famous artists. Now that the pandemic is over, those cities are ready to bring the beat back.
Japan Times
People / 20 QUESTIONS
Jun 23, 2023
Alexis Sato: ‘We want to make music a reason for people to travel to Japan’
Some chance meetings led Alexis Sato to some of the best summers of his life. Now he wants to provide that summer vibe to everyone.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 9, 2023
Summer music festivals aim to bring the good times back
The return of summer festivals means live music is back, with events featuring overseas acts alongside K-pop and pool parties.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Jun 5, 2023
The farewell tour: Amid rising costs, a Canadian doctor ends his Japanese music festival
Once dubbed the 'patron saint of Japanese indie,' Canadian Steven Tanaka is ready to settle down for some 'me' time.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 19, 2023
Netflix and Amazon addiction turns into ‘digital deficit’ and hassle for the yen
The deficit from spending on such services reached ¥4.8 trillion last year, almost 90% of Japan’s services account deficit.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 18, 2023
How Japanese media companies enabled Johnny’s abuse
The power dynamics of Japan's entertainment and media industries ultimately meant that accusations of sexual abuse were not investigated.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
May 16, 2023
Foreign media spotlight brought Johnny’s sexual abuse claims to the fore
With abuse accusations circulating for decades, reports by overseas media outlets ultimately cleared the way for coverage in the mainstream domestic press.

Longform

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