The first half of 2017 hasn't produced much in the way of compelling music stories in Japan. By this time last year, we were coming down from the Enon Kawatani-Becky affair, and behind-the-scenes intrigue was bubbling up around SMAP (who broke up at the end of the year). These past six months have been less scandalous, and the biggest buzz has centered on the ascendance of smooth rockers Suchmos and the return of mainstream idol armies in the form of Keyakizaka46.