Group items tagged

This article talks about the opening of the new "New People" building that was just recently established (the end of 2009) in Japantown, San Francisco. This building holds all the recent Pop Culture in Japan, from art, to fashion, to music, and even to food.

Contrasting the other article on modern Japanese music, there are some musical traditionalists who honor the cultural styles that were prevalent decades before. However, instead of using the same instruments passed down several generations, there seems to be an emergence of Western, orchestral and symphonic instruments being thrown into the ensemble, offering a richer sound that has been prized at annual music festivals. This is an expression of tradition being honored, but also "upgraded" with the assimilation of other voices in the music.

This article has more history on Japanese Pop\n

The article talks about how women are deprived of other jobs and resort to hostessing. Hostessing is the only profession that is made up of generally females in Japan.

Anheuser-Busch's sexy "Bud Girls" commercials aren't successful in raising Japanese sales because they're unrealistic in the Japanese culture.

Echoing Japan's progress in the 197O's, the film industry is under a bust. Compared to the box office sales in 2008, 2009 seems to be foreshadowing a decline and an economy repression. It was surprising to find out that foreign movies are in a decline in sales as well. The industry's progress already prompted Distributors Wise Policy and Movie-Eye Entertainment to cancel their pieces of works midway through. Japan is also insisted on investing into making 3-D films because critics say that it would prove to be beneficial.

The Japanese journalist, Takeharu Watai, produced "Little Birds" in 2005. This documentary is based on the Iraq war, from the point of view of the people who live in Baghdad. Watai was suggested to display the film to Congress and the President. Because it is spoken through a different perspective, rather than US soldiers, strong American nationalists are open to a different view of the war. Akihiro Nonaka, a representative of Asia Press International,said, "'Growth in antiwar momentum in the United States contributed to realizing the screenings of 'Little Birds' there'" (qtd. in Asia Media Archives par. 12). Since his documentary became an international hit, Watai was urged to make a sequel.

Considered a "landmark book, playing a pivotal role in defining discussions of modernity in..." Japanese literature. Composed by Japanese writer, Karatani Kojin. "In his analysis, such familiar terms as "origin, modern, literature, " and "the state" reveal themselves to be ideological constructs." Seems a must read. Preview of text is available on Google books, along with overview and book reviews.

Japan is considered one of the cornerstones of the fashion industry. They have different styles, like street wear, formal wear, "fringe" styles, and more! Even Paris Hilton, Victoria Beckham, and Beyonce have all promoted some of their products.

Japanese pop (or J-pop) is greatly influenced by the Western world. The term is widely used in Japan to describe many different musical genres including pop, rock, dance, rap, and soul. J-pop's history is heavily influenced by the jazz music during the early Showa period. After the Imperial Army halt of the performance of jazz music during World War II, new musical styles flooded into the country when the US soldiers occupied the country. Different types of styles came through since then, including rock-and-roll, City Pop, New Music, and R&B. Currently, R&B and Hip Hop influences in Japanese music are the strongest ever.

This article is written by a woman named Kallie Szczepanski and she is a woman who has spent more than five years living there. The article is about the current Emperor of Japan, who in their culture and government, is extremely key. It talks about his job and what he does in his everyday life dealing with certain issues.

This article talks about how money is allocated now to promote and ensure the playability of soccer in Japan. Due to its popularity, Japan allocated $35.6 million for anti hooligan measures including the development to stop unruly and rowdy fans. They also hosted the World Club Championship, also called the Toyota Cup featuring clubs out of the country being held there.