From “Dragon Ball Z” to Fuji Rock — saxophonist Patrick Bartley finds jazz in J-pop, blending anime, Vocaloid and bebop into a second language. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/09/25/music/patrick-bartley-jazz-j-pop/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #music #jpop #jazz #jmusicensemble #patrickbartley
Forget the late-night headliners — Summer Sonic 2025 belonged to J-pop. Mrs. Green Apple, Hikaru Utada and Hana ruled the weekend. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/08/22/music/summer-sonic-jpop/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #music #summerfestivals #summersonic #hikaruutada #mrsgreenapple #hana#officialhigedandism #aliciakeys #jpop
J-pop artist Kenshin Kamimura has been found guilty of indecent assault by a Hong Kong court after he harassed a woman who worked as his interpreter at a restaurant earlier this year. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/14/japan/crime-legal/star-assault-hong-kong/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #crimelegal #kenshinkamimura #hongkong #jpop #idols #sexcrimes
Rise, shine and rave. Summer Sonic 2025 is putting its biggest J-pop and K-pop stars in early slots — with Babymetal, Mrs. Green Apple, aespa and more turning the weekend into an all-day sprint. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/08/13/music/summer-sonic-festival-preview/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #music #musicfestivals #summersonic #kpop #jpop #sonicmania
Takeru Satoh looks gorgeous playing a tortured genius in “Glass Heart” — a show that sounds great but rings hollow. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/08/07/tv-streaming/glass-heart/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #tvstreaming #netflix #jpop #takerusatoh #yumiyazaki#keitamachida #junshison
The crowds at this year’s Fuji Rock Festival? Massive. Lines? Seemingly endless. But unexpected guest appearances and only-in-Naeba moments made it all worth it. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/08/04/music/fuji-rock-festival-report/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #music #fujirockfestival #musicfestivals #jpop #kpop #rap #electronica #smash
With younger fans, more diverse acts and rising interest from abroad, Fuji Rock is seeing its strongest turnout in years. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/07/24/music/fuji-rock-lineup-turnout/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #music #fujirockfestival #musicfestivals #jpop #kpop #rap #electronica #smashcorporation
Need a festival game plan? From Mdou Moctar and Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso to Radwimps and mei ehara, here’s who The Japan Times crew is racing between stages to catch. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/07/22/music/fuji-rock-festival-preview/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #music #fujirockfestival #musicfestivals #jpop #kpop #rap #electronica
At Kawaii Lab, former idol-turned-producer Misa Kimura is putting power in her performers’ hands by giving them more control over their image and sound. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/07/17/kawaii-lab-j-pop-idol-misa-kimura/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #jpop #idols #asobisystem #misakimura #kawaiilab
Cheering for your favorite idol at a concert often involves items such as customized fans with messages on them and identical glow sticks in the colors of the celebrity act. Companies are rushing to offer that and more. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/07/12/music/oshikatsu-merch-expo/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #music #idols #jpop #oshikatsu #tokyolifestyleweek
The bilingual singer-songwriter delivers her artful blend of jazz and indie pop with quiet confidence. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/06/26/music/mei-semones-animaru-fuji-rock/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #music #fujirockfestival #meisemones #jpop #musicfestivals
A moment of idol mania or a fandom gone too far? A recent Fruits Zipper fan frenzy stirred online criticism, raising questions about the line between passion and obsession in J-pop idol culture. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/06/26/music/idol-fans/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #music #fruitszipper #jpop #idols