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May 18, 2024
 

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James Hadfield
For James Hadfield's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
May 29, 2020
Live-house culture won't cede the stage to COVID-19
Seiichi Yamamoto, founder of Osaka live music venue Namba Bears, is employing a range of methods to keep his stage open to touring musicians.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
May 29, 2020
As coronavirus restrictions are relaxed, the future of live music in Japan looks rocky
Despite Japan having lifted its state of emergency, gig-goers may have to wait for live music to get back to normal across the country.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
May 28, 2020
Tokyo joins world film festivals for 10-day YouTube event
Tokyo International Film Festival's competition programmer says that We Are One is just the start of a more digital-friendly future for festivals.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
May 21, 2020
Think you streamed everything? Dig deeper on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime
Cinemas have cautiously started to reopen in parts of Japan, but many of us are still having to sit tight and do all our movie-viewing at home. If, by now, you’re feeling like you’ve reached the bottom of the streaming barrel, fret not: There are still choice morsels of domestic and overseas offerings...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
May 14, 2020
Kazuhiro Soda shows how streaming could help save cinema with online release of 'Zero'
With COVID-19 having hit Japan's independent film industry hard, filmmakers such as Kazuhiro Soda are looking for new ways to reach their audiences.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
May 1, 2020
Musicians and DJs fight against COVID-19 closures and learn to live it up online
With gigs off and venues closed, Japanese artists are getting more creative in staging shows for fans staying at home.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 23, 2020
Recent ambient releases create sonic sanctuaries
In stressful times, it’s natural to seek comfort in the familiar. But even for people still inclined to hunt for new music, some genres can feel more welcoming than others. Thankfully, the current vogue for ambient, drone and music on the new age spectrum means there’s never any shortage of fresh...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 27, 2020
Squarepusher speaks up for a little human kindness
In 2016, shortly after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, Tom Jenkinson released a plaintive protest song under his Squarepusher alias, titled “MIDI Sans Frontieres.” Though he’s better known for maximalist explosions of breakbeats, hyperactive acid synths and fusion-jazz frippery,...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 26, 2020
'Mishima: The Last Debate': Careful revival of a battle of wits
...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Mar 20, 2020
Fuji Rock keeps calm and carries on despite coronavirus fears
You can’t fault the organizers of Fuji Rock Festival for failing to predict how thoroughly the COVID-19 outbreak would engulf the planet when they released a solemn announcement in late January, titled “Festival Crisis.”
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 20, 2020
Gezan's Mahito The People says music won't be beaten by a virus
These are trying times for gigging musicians. As COVID-19 continues its relentless spread, tours are being cancelled and artists and promoters are having to adjust to a brutal new reality, in which the activities that livelihoods depend on are suddenly rendered taboo. When I meet the members of alternative...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 19, 2020
'All About March': A love story that puts years on you
While some people end up finding the right partner, others spend their whole lives wondering why they didn’t shack up with their high-school crush instead. “All About March” follows the fortunes of a pair of schoolmates who were clearly made for each other, even if it will take them half a lifetime...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 12, 2020
'Stardust Over the Town': Golden oldies musical loses the plot
After spawning seven plays, dramatist Ryuji Mizutani's Hello Nights, a fictional cadre of crooners, make their cinematic debut.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Feb 28, 2020
Deconstructing the avant-garde art of butoh with Taketeru Kudo
As Taketeru Kudo takes a new approach to butoh, the dancer says the art is gaining a strong following overseas.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Feb 20, 2020
'Fictitious Girl's Diary: The Movie': An honest portrait of office minutiae
Comedian Bakarhythm brings his nameless female bank clerk character to the big screen and lovingly documents the trivial goings-on in the life of a Japanese office worker.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Feb 13, 2020
'Beneath the Shadow': Too obscure for its own good
Keishi Otomo's latest film looks at two colleagues whose blossoming bromance threatens to turn into something more mysterious.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Feb 6, 2020
'AI Amok': Futuristic flick rehashes old tech
In Yu Irie's sci-fi film set in 2030, Takao Osawa stars as a scientist who must save Japan from an artificial intelligence system he created.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 30, 2020
'Prison Circle': A rare look at life behind bars
Kaori Sakagami's feature-length documentary offers an intimate view of inmates going through the process of therapy in a Japanese prison.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 23, 2020
'Voices in the Wind': Loss and a haunting journey home
Serena Motola gives a raw performance as a young survivor of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 in Nobuhiro Suwa's latest film.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 16, 2020
'Last Letter': Love letter delivers sweetness and slush
Takako Matsu reunites with director Shunji Iwai to play a middle-aged woman who exchanges letters with her late sister's high school flame.
Japanese stripper bids to have her porn movies taken off internet
Plaintiff Miyuki Ariga (left) speaks at a news conference along with her lawyer, Yoshitomo Morohashi, after filing a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court on Monday.
Japan passes bill to introduce 'blue ticket' fines for cyclists
A new system under which bicycle riders pay fines for minor traffic violations to escape criminal punishment is expected to be introduced in Japan no later than 2026.
Japan changes law to allow joint custody after divorce
Legislation that allows the option of joint custody of children after divorce is passed at the Upper House plenary session on Friday.
U.S. envoy to Japan makes landmark visit to front-line island near Taiwan
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel meets with members of the Self-Defense Forces stationed on Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture, on Friday.
Japan to review romanization system for first time in 70 years
An advisory panel to the education ministry will consider how the Japanese language should be transcribed into the Latin alphabet, including unifying different romanization styles currently in use.
Can AI-generated inventions be patented? A Tokyo court says no.
The Tokyo court's ruling comes amid ongoing debates on how to regulate generative AI and is part of a transnational class action lawsuit.
A new initiative rethinks old Tohoku crafts
The colored patterns of Tsuguru "nuri," made in Aomori Prefecture, are achieved by applying multiple coatings of lacquer, which are later polished down to reveal layers of colors beneath.
Xi and Putin mark ‘new era’ amid efforts to counter U.S. ‘containment’
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend an event in Beijing on Thursday. During Putin's visit, the leaders showed off their growing alignment amid efforts to push back against the U.S.-led world order.
Unraveling the Japanese prose of Yukio Mishima
Author Yukio Mishima accepts the Arts Festival Award in the drama category at the 20th Arts Festival Award Ceremony on Jan. 22, 1966.
New Taiwan president to set tone for ties with China at inauguration
Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te arrives at the CyberSec 2024 Exhibition in Taipei on Wednesday.

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