Pop Culture 2001-2002 | Archives | Trends in Japan

30 Years of Friendship

(December 4, 2002)
On September 29, 1972, Japan and China signed a joint declaration normalizing their diplomatic relations. This year the nations marked the thirtieth anniversary of that historic moment.

A Hero for All Ages

(November 5, 2002)
Kamen Rider (Masked Rider) is a superhero fantasy that has been popular with children since the first television series based on the comic was released in 1971.

Licensed to Entertain

(October 25, 2002)
With just a license, musicians, pantomimes, and other artists can now perform in specially designated public locations without first receiving permission from the police and local government.

Making Their Mark

(September 3, 2002)
Recently, a new generation of Japanese actors and actresses has been appearing in foreign movies, and it seems that the world of movie stars is undergoing globalization.

Local Movies Make National Impact

(August 5, 2002)
For a movie to be seen by 12,000 viewers in the week after it opened would be quite a poor performance for a major film shown in Tokyo. In a provincial town with a population of 37,000, however, it is quite a feat.

Manga Guru's Creations Go Live

(July 16, 2002)
The trend for drawing on popular comic books for movie plots can be seen both in Japan and the United States.

An Island Song Goes Borderless

(July 3, 2002)
A decade since its creation, a hit song by the popular Japanese band The Boom has become a bestseller in Argentina.

Gathering Steam

(June 14, 2002)
Public baths have been a fixture of Japanese life since the mid-sixteenth century. Now that most people have bathtubs or showers in their own homes, however, public baths are a less common sight. Recently these baths have been enjoying something of a revival, appearing in books, photographs, movies, and even plays.

Tsugaru Shamisen

(March 25, 2002)
The tsugaru shamisen, a traditional Japanese instrument, is now the height of "cool" and has made stars of some young players.

Triumphant Homecoming

(March 15, 2002)
Mariko Mori has been distinguishing herself in the New York art world since the mid-1990s and is now a superstar of the American and European pop-art scene. From January 19 through March 24 she is having her first major solo exhibition in Japan, a retrospective titled "Pure Land."

My Neighbor, My Friend

(March 14, 2002)
Recently Japanese and South Koreans have been getting better acquainted with each other's cultures. Personal interchanges are also growing, and the upcoming 2002 FIFA World Cup will provide an opportunity for many more.

Waltzing Maestro

(February 1, 2002)
For Japan's classical music fans, it was a triumphant beginning for the New Year as Seiji Ozawa conducted the Vienna Philharmonic on January 1.

Soul Men

(January 24, 2002)
In contrast to energetic young female pop stars like Hikaru Utada and Ayumi Hamasaki, who have dominated the charts in recent years, lately the Japanese pop music scene has seen the arrival of a new corps of young male vocalists boasting a smooth, melodic, soulful style.

Feeling Like an Aristocrat

(December 10, 2001)
Gagaku, or imperial court music, one of Japan's traditional arts, is quietly gaining in popularity as more and more people are discovering the soothing qualities of its elegant tones.

Folk Dances from Around the World

(December 4, 2001)
Japan's love affair with dance never seems to end. Recently, the dance scene has been getting a colorful new infusion in the form of folk dances from around the world.

Ethereal Notes

(November 6, 2001)
What is a theremin? Most readers may have never heard the word, but to answer the question, a theremin is a musical instrument that originated in Russia. It is known as the father of electronic musical instruments.

Exporting TV Programs

(October 30, 2001)
An increasing number of Japanese television programs are being packaged and exported overseas, including their concept (format), presentation, art, and production know-how.

With Just One Sheet of Paper

(October 4, 2001)
Making things from paper is a craft that Japanese people have long excelled at and a hobby that brings pleasure to many. The Internet and personal computers have made it possible for all kinds of people to enjoy this activity, raising the profile of paper crafts among both young and old.

Daft Anime?

(September 5, 2001)
The French techno duo Daft Punk has been enthralling fans--particularly those in Japan--with their collaboration with manga (comic) and anime (animation) legend Leiji Matsumoto in the production of their music video clips.

Ancient Ways to Say It

(July 25, 2001)
Hieroglyphics are enjoying a quiet boom in Japan. Young people feel that the decorative designs of hieroglyphics allow them to express feelings that are not easily conveyed with words alone, and they have been using these symbols in letters and even on business cards.