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October 22, 2025
 

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Patrick St. Michel
Patrick St. Michel is a Tokyo-based writer with a focus on Japanese music. He runs the blog Make Believe Melodies, which has focused on Japanese independent music since 2009. Besides The Japan Times, he also contributes to MTV 81 and The Atlantic.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 15, 2019
Choose your acts wisely at this year's Summer Sonic
The 2019 edition of the Summer Sonic music festival, held concurrently in Tokyo and Osaka from Aug. 16 to 18, marks the 20th anniversary of the gathering. Though that's not the only special twist gracing an event offering the experiences of a big musical outing in the comfort of a metropolis.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 14, 2019
Trade spat sees K-pop caught in the middle
The Japanese debut performance of Korean pop group Stray Kids planned for next month should be an unquestionably good thing. The fledgling male outfit has been gaining steam since emerging in 2017, with its nine members having already played shows in Southeast Asia, Australia, the United States and Europe....
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Aug 10, 2019
Doing doughnuts right in Tokyo: An indulgence for all occasions
Tokyo's top-notch doughnut shops are pushing the boundaries of flavor, or taking classics to the next-level.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Aug 10, 2019
This summer, Pokemon get even cooler with themed ice creams and cakes
This summer, the Pokemon Co. and Baskin-Robbins are bringing fans a variety of cool Pokemon-themed sweets.
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Aug 10, 2019
Heated debate boils over on social media as mercury soars in Japan
Talking to others about the weather has always been a quick and easy conversation topic. The same goes for social media users and online news outlets in Japan, which love to discuss meteorological issues. The arrival of intense summer heat in recent weeks has invigorated netizens, who have gone online...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Aug 3, 2019
When Lawson gives you three types of lemons, drink lemonade
As part of its 'lemon fair,' Lawson has started selling a lemonade made with three types of lemons — a relief during the summer heat.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jul 31, 2019
'Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018': An online offering that nails the live experience
Japanese pop star Hikaru Utada's 2018 "Laughter in the Dark Tour" marked her first jaunt around the country in 12 years. The seven-city tour became one of the year's most anticipated tickets, culminating in a Dec. 9 performance at Chiba's Makuhari Messe coinciding with the 20th anniversary of her debut....
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Jul 27, 2019
Haagen-Dazs Japan at 35: Still innovating with new specialty flavors
Grab Haagen-Dazs' new summer Yuzu Blanc Manger and limited-edition dark green tea ice cream flavors before they're gone.
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Jul 27, 2019
Popular YouTube group's attempt to engineer a viral campaign on social media backfires spectacularly
Social media is a minefield of negativity that often leaves users in a conundrum whenever they stumble across someone doing something online that clearly seems obnoxious. Should users call people out for such behavior? Are they acting in a righteous manner or are they simply giving them the attention...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 24, 2019
Tempalay pledges to put on a show at Fuji Rock
The recording of Tempalay's third full-length album, "With Love from the 21 Century," should have been a high point for lead vocalist and guitarist Ryoto Ohara. The group he fronts had climbed up the ranks of Japan's music community since forming in 2014, and even got a shout out from BTS, arguably the...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Jul 20, 2019
Gear up for summer with three new sweets from Seven-Eleven
Seven-Eleven is on a hot streak with its new watermelon ice bar, double cheesecake and tapioca milk tea jelly.
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Jul 20, 2019
Candidates struggle to navigate difficult waters of social media ahead of election
A good summary of how the 2019 House of Councilors election has played out online comes via Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of the cartoon “Yu-Gi-Oh!” During his promotion of a new art book, he shared an illustration on his Instagram page that was meant to encourage young people to vote. However, it...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Jul 18, 2019
Japan jumps into the music stream
The biggest moment for streaming music in Japan this year came via a handwritten letter. In late June, Kenta Matsumoto of pop-punk trio Wanima shared a note on Twitter announcing that his band's entire catalog would be uploaded to streaming music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 17, 2019
Kitri: Sisters are doin' it for themselves
Monami Kida can't remember the last time she had an argument with Hinano, her younger sister and partner in the classical-meets-pop project Kitri.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Jul 13, 2019
Mister Donut's Roll-nut: A perplexing doughnut and roll cake fusion
Mister Donut and patisserie Mon Cher combine their signature doughnut and roll cake to create a new frankensweet: the Roll-nut.
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Jul 13, 2019
Convenience store operator struggles in wake of security fiasco
The operator of Seven-Eleven’s new smartphone payment service is under fire for appearing clueless at a news conference that was held after customers were allegedly defrauded through unauthorized access.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jul 10, 2019
Johnny Kitagawa: The mogul who defined and controlled Japan's entertainment industry
Few in the history of Japan's entertainment industry have wielded more power than talent manager Johnny Kitagawa.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jul 6, 2019
Upscale summer dessert: The best gelato spots in Tokyo
Japan's capital abounds with top-notch gelato spots to satisfy any sweet tooth. Just in time for summer, here's The Japan Times' guide on where to find the best scoops in the city.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Jul 6, 2019
Convenience store stars for July: Cream puffs, doughnuts and iced soda floats
Green tea, lemon and Makoto Shinkai's film 'Weathering With You'-themed fruit-flavored soda drinks all hit convenience stores shelves this month.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Jul 6, 2019
Feeling burned out by social media? You probably aren't alone
Some of the most popular users of social media platforms such as Twitter are expressing frustration with life online.
Takaichi makes history as Japan’s first female prime minister
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi reacts to applauding lawmakers after being elected prime minister at the Lower House on Tuesday.
Path clears for Takaichi to become PM as LDP and JIP agree to form coalition
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi (right) reaches out to shake hands with Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura after signing a coalition deal Monday evening in Tokyo.
Rare female yakuza walks path to redemption in Japan
Retired yakuza Mako Nishimura sorts fallen leaves during a clean-up activity at the Gifu Gokoku shrine in Gifu Prefecture on Sept. 28.
Takaichi government will likely spend less than expected
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi at the National Diet Building in Tokyo on Monday
Why I chose Japanese citizenship over permanent residency
Jon Heese (second left) takes part in a 2024 New Year's nihonshu barrel opening ceremony.
Nakatsu keeps its cool as gentrification looms
Shunsuke Takahashi, owner of the cafe Hood by Vargas, says the Osaka neighborhood of Nakatsu feels brighter and calmer with the influx of new businesses.
How Japan’s greatest psychological horror game came home
Series composer Akira Yamaoka and writer Ryukishi07 were integral figures in helping one of Japan's greatest horror gaming franchises land a Japanese setting.
Japan leads in in-depth AI awareness, new global study finds
In Japan, 55% were “equally concerned and excited” about the rise of AI in daily life, while 28% were “more concerned than excited.”
What does Jimbocho think of its unexpected ‘cool’ status?
Tokyo's Jimbocho neighborhood is a haven for book lovers, its rows of secondhand bookstores spilling over with printed materials.
What you need to see at this year's Tokyo film festival
Chloe Zhao’s "Hamnet"

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Rock group The Yellow Monkey played K-Arena Yokohama in June as part of a nationwide tour. Concerts are increasingly popular in the age of social media as users value in-person experiences.
Inside Japan’s arena boom: Sports, sound and city-building
By Patrick St. Michel

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