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April 29, 2024
 

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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.
For Patrick St. Michel's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Japan Pulse
Jun 25, 2022
Baseball dance craze has the internet asking again, 'What does the fox say?'
What started out as a fun segment between innings at Nippon Ham Fighters' games now has athletes, fans and netizens busting a move to Ylvis' chart-topping 2013 hit “The Fox.'
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 24, 2022
Sakanaction, tofubeats and Tohji reimagine the album format in 2022
Six months into 2022, artists are putting listeners more in control of how they experience new releases.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / Japan Pulse
Jun 11, 2022
YouTuber PewDiePie's 'honeymoon phase' brings positive vibes to Japan content
The YouTuber's relocation heralds a shift toward content focused on newcomers enthusiastically exploring the country and living out their dreams after years of pandemic restrictions.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Jun 5, 2022
Harry and the house that Hosono built
None other than global pop star Harry Styles takes inspiration from one of Japan's most-talented musicians. The question is, will the West follow?
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 2, 2022
Japan's music festivals are prepping for a summer comeback
Music acts are coming in from overseas and a hobbled festival scene is hoping to have its best year since the pandemic began.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
May 27, 2022
Lyricist Takashi Matsumoto on Happy End, writing for pop and helping change the course of Japanese music history
Happy End's decision in 1970 to play American-inspired yet sing in Japanese proved to be a watershed moment for pop music here.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
May 20, 2022
Vicke Blanka opens up about shifting musical influences and life as a 'Supervillain'
It is often said that great art comes from tragedy and struggle. Musician Vicke Blanka knows this all too well, and his latest track 'Changes' is the result.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 22, 2022
Anna Takeuchi discovers the power of positive pop
While many musicians embraced the glum stagnation of the COVID years, Anna Takeuchi chose to take those lemons and make lemonade with her new album, 'Tickets.'
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Apr 12, 2022
Surprise Netflix hit 'Old Enough!' proves Japanese TV is good enough for overseas
Local favorite u2018Old Enough!' has found renewed success on the streaming service, charming audiences abroad and revealing the strength of Japanese comfort content.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Apr 10, 2022
Kamiwaza trio takes aim at YouTube fame
The channel's pivot from trick shots to elaborate Nerf toy battles hits the mark with online audiences.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 1, 2022
Fuji Rock 2022 lineup sees return of overseas acts
The premier summer festival will feature non-Japanese acts, including American artists Jack White and Halsey as headliners, signaling a return to form after going completely local last year.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 24, 2022
Eve's hourlong music video sums up J-pop in 2022
Billed as a 'live in animation,' 'Adam by Eve' reflects a trend among young artists using animation filled with references and in-jokes to enhance their music.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 4, 2022
The Eurobeat boom, boom, boom, boom means the '90s are back
Dust off your best para para dance moves, the sound of hi-NRG Heisei has returned.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / Japan Pulse
Feb 26, 2022
Pioneering virtual YouTuber Kizuna AI goes on 'indefinite hiatus'
Over five years, the digital character delivered a new kind of content geared toward digital natives. Now she's saying farewell with one last, livestreamed concert.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 21, 2022
Sky-Hi: Taking up the fight for artistic freedom
The artist-turned-talent agency CEO says Japan's music industry needs a major modern makeover.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 11, 2022
Ado brings a flair for the dramatic to ‘Kyogen’
The rebellious teenage J-pop singer brings the sonic palette of the Japanese Vocaloid community to the mainstream and shows off her vocal versatility on her debut album, “Kyogen.”
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 11, 2022
The Tokyo club scene's 'temple' may be gone, but the faith remains
As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, the artists in Tokyo's club scene are turning to downsizing as a way to survive.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 29, 2022
‘Bad Mode’ delivers some of the best songs of Hikaru Utada’s career
Hikaru Utada's eighth full-length album is full of introspection, with the artist working on their personal growth and coming away with a better sense of self.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 14, 2022
What can we expect from J-pop in 2022?
Ditch the downer sounds of 2021 for brighter bops, Shibuya-kei and breakout hits via TikTok.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Jan 8, 2022
‘Aggretsuko’ digs into toxic work culture and self-worth
The newly released fourth season of 'Aggretsuko' digs into some truly bleak storylines about the realities of work, but still finds a way to humanize even its most unlikeable characters.
Number of homeless in Japan hits record low
Homeless people sleep on the street in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward in August 2021.
In Japan, regional revitalization fails to halt population decline
Sakiyama elementary school in Tamba, Hyogo Prefecture, in March .Over the past decade, the government has directed efforts toward policies designed to give young people incentives to base themselves in rural areas.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Ukraine is far from doomed
When comparing Ukraine’s military situation in 2024 to Europe’s in 1941, Russia’s defeat seems entirely possible.
When will Japan intervene to support the yen?
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki has reiterated the government's readiness to take an appropriate action as the yen continues to slide against the U.S. dollar.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.
Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.
Casa del Cibo: A thriving jewel born from Tohoku’s harsh past
When chef Ryohei Ikemi moved to Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and opened Casa del Cibo in 2011, it was the first proper Italian restaurant in the city.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Kyotographie's strong 12th edition shines light into the margins
Yassine Alaoui Ismaili, who goes by Yoriyas, turned to photography, shooting motion while in motion himself, after an injury forced him to give up his career as a professional breakdancer.

Podcast

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.
[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores
By Alex K.T. Martin

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