While it appears that only the most basic of artistic demands are placed upon the "gaijin tarento" that pop up periodically on Japanese TV screens, it would be a mistake to assume that Japan fetishizes foreigners in the entertainment business.
Mike McKenna, Jake Kozel and DJ Dante (Dan Thorpe) are three foreigners making it in different ways in Japan's dance music scene, but success has not fallen into their laps.
"Until three months ago my finances were up and down so I had to continue teaching for financial stability, and that was after years of effort," says McKenna.