National / Media | Japan Pulse Jan 23, 2021
The social media creators in Japan to keep an eye on in 2021
by Patrick St. Michel
With parts of the country entering a second state of emergency, here’s four digital producers that could define the year …
National / Social Issues Aug 30, 2020
'Bachelor Japan' contestant Maria Hamasaki dies in suspected suicide
Maria Hamasaki, a 23-year-old contestant on “The Bachelor Japan” reality show, died in a suspected suicide earlier this week, sources close to the matter say.
TV Mar 15, 2019
Japan's Netflix contender bets on youth-driven viral hits
by Sam Nussey
On a Friday night at a downtown Tokyo television studio, 12 teen models with cutesy nicknames like "Ayamin" and "Kyokyo" are waiting nervously to find out who has won coveted spots on the cover of Popteen magazine, a Japanese fashion bible. The girls, sporting a ...
Music | Sound Off Nov 9, 2017
Former SMAP stars find freedom online
by Patrick St. Michel
When a wrecking ball fell on and destroyed a car, I was hooked on a 72-hour live stream starring three former members of pop group SMAP. Airing last weekend on the online streaming site AbemaTV, this program found Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and Shingo Katori ...