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Tag - idols

 
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July 24, 2026
 

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IDOLS

Products at the Oshikatsu Expo in Tokyo
BUSINESS
Jul 3, 2026
Inside Japan¡¯s $25 billion consumer market built on fan devotion
From collecting Hello Kitty goods to manga figurines, what was once considered a niche hobby has evolved into a fan-merchandising economy estimated to be worth ?4.1 trillion.
Mei Hanada, a former member of the idol group AKB48, posted a video to X in response to her recent termination by the management.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jun 26, 2026
Buzzcut backlash: AKB48 member¡¯s termination stirs online furor
Mei Hanada¡¯s response video to her termination from idol group AKB48 echoes a scandal involving a different member of the pop outfit from 2013.
Staff and older adults of an adult daycare facility in Tokyo's Katsushika Ward enjoy a livestream of singer Ryo Nakada, known for his repertoire of 550 golden oldies of the Showa Era (1926-1989), on April 8.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Jun 10, 2026
Oshikatsu activities to support favorite idols spread to older generations
Experts say such activities help older people find purpose in life, adding that the popularity is likely to grow even more with the spread of livestreaming.
J-pop group Arashi ended its long career with a final nationwide tour and the last concert took place in Tokyo on May 31.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jun 5, 2026
J-pop group Arashi takes its final bow at Tokyo Dome
For millions of fans, the final concert was more than the end of one of Japan¡¯s most beloved boy bands ¡ª it was the closing of a chapter that began in childhood.
J-pop boy band Arashi has launched its final tour, prompting businesses across Japan to make unusual adjustments to meet surging demand near concert venues.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Mar 19, 2026
J-pop legends Arashi¡¯s final tour drives intense demand for hotels and transport
Businesses are making unusual adjustments to accommodate the band¡¯s overwhelming popularity and the impact of fans¡¯ demand near venues across the country.
In Koji Fukada¡¯s ¡°Love on Trial,¡± a pop idol (Kyoko Saito) is sued by her management agency for violating the no-dating clause in her contract.
CULTURE / Film
Jan 22, 2026
¡®Love on Trial¡¯: When romance becomes a legal risk
Koji Fukada¡¯s drama gets the details right about idol culture, but softens its moral punch.
A car carrying Naoya Yamaguchi, the suspect in a recent stabbing incident, leaves a police station in Fukuoka on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Dec 19, 2025
Suspect says he targeted idol group members in Fukuoka stabbings
Two people ¡ª the staff member and a woman ¡ª were wounded in the incident near the dome in Fukuoka¡¯s Chuo Ward.
This year's "Kohaku Uta Gassen" will be broadcast on NHK from 7:20 p.m. on Dec. 31.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Nov 14, 2025
Chanmina and aespa among 10 acts to debut on NHK¡¯s ¡®Kohaku Uta Gassen¡¯
The New Year¡¯s Eve music spectacle on NHK will feature first-time acts such as idol group Fruits Zipper and long-awaited returns from bands like Okinawa¡¯s Orange Range.
Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department headquarters
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Oct 6, 2025
Member of boy band Ae! Group arrested on public indecency charge
Keita Richard Kusama is suspected of exposing his lower body around the entrance of a building in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
In 2019, the Japan Fair Trade Commission issued a warning to what was then Johnny & Associates for allegedly pressuring broadcasters to not offer work to three former members of now-disbanded boy band SMAP after they left the agency to pursue independent careers.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Oct 1, 2025
Japan¡¯s antitrust watchdog issues new rules urging agencies to treat talent fairly
The Japan Fair Trade Commission¡¯s new guidelines come after a survey last year found that some agencies were mistreating their performers.
Sakurazaka46, the idol pop outfit formerly known as Keyakizaka46, wrapped up an an 11-night nationwide tour this month.
CULTURE / Music
Aug 29, 2025
Sakurazaka46 wants the world to dance along
The 33-member idol group takes its spectacle-heavy performances on the road ¡ª and abroad.
J-pop idol Kenshin Kamimura leaves the West Kowloon Law Courts on bail in Hong Kong on Wednesday, after he was found guilty of indecent assault of a woman who worked as his interpreter at a restaurant in Mong Kok district in March this year.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Aug 14, 2025
Japanese star convicted of indecent assault in Hong Kong
Kenshin Kamimura, a former member of the boy band ONE N¡¯ ONLY, harassed a woman who worked as his interpreter at a restaurant earlier this year.
Wakana, a Japanese fan of Thai BL, visits a temple in Thon Buri, Bangkok featured in the Thai adaptation of the Japanese series ¡°Cherry Magic.¡± Her media consumption kindled an interest in Thai culture and language, and ultimately led her to relocate to Thailand. ¡°I fell in love with the whole country,¡± she says.
COMMUNITY / Issues / The Foreign Element
Jul 28, 2025
Boys¡¯ love dramas from Thailand make waves in Japan
Thailand has become a top producer of BL (boys¡¯ love) dramas ¡ª and audiences in Japan are among the most ardent consumers.
Misa Kimura is the main producer for Kawaii Lab, a project by entertainment agency Asobisystem whose groups have found success by pairing a social media-first strategy with a fresh perspective on traditional idol-pop tropes.
CULTURE
Jul 17, 2025
Kawaii Lab redefines idol pop for the TikTok generation
The idol-pop project¡¯s main producer, Misa Kimura ¡ª a former idol herself ¡ª is giving her performers more control over their image and sound.
Businesses who cater to fandoms gathered at Tokyo Lifestyle Week for the second annual Oshikatsu ¡ª Merch Collection Expo, a trade show devoted to fandom goods.
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Jul 12, 2025
Music idol and anime fandom merch is big business
Over 100 booths showed off the latest in acrylic stands, binoculars and cheering items such as glow sticks and flags at the second Oshikatsu ¡ª Merch Expo.
A clip of fans getting rowdy to see J-pop outfit Fruits Zipper prompted criticism about the idol fandom¡¯s dark side.
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Jun 26, 2025
Why are idol fans throwing hands at the racetrack?
A recent Fruits Zipper fan frenzy stirred online criticism, raising questions about the line between passion and obsession in J-pop idol culture.
The year so far is only proving that Mrs. Green Apple is the biggest band in Japan. Their success also seems to be hinting at a change in the musical landscape more broadly.
CULTURE / Music
Jun 5, 2025
Six months into 2025, J-pop is having a full-on identity crisis (and a great time)
Halfway through 2025, J-pop is in flux ¡ª swinging between AI absurdity, idol nostalgia and viral sugar highs.
Director Koji Fukada and actor Kyoko Saito pose during a photocall for Fukada's new film, "Love on Trial," in Cannes, France.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
May 25, 2025
At Cannes, Fukada spotlights J-pop¡¯s ban on idol romance
Director Koji Fukada¡¯s new film, ¡°Love on Trial,¡± explores Japan¡¯s idol industry and the contracts that ban young women from dating.
Arashi is known for massive hit songs such as ¡°A?RA?SHI,¡± ¡°Love So Sweet¡± and ¡°Happiness.¡±
CULTURE / Entertainment news
May 7, 2025
J-pop group Arashi to disband after going on tour next spring
Current fan club members will be given priority to purchase tickets for the last concert tour.
Momoka Matsui and her co-worker Saki Matsumoto take photos of acrylic stand figure models of their favorite idols with cakes and teas, which they ordered at a Tokyo cafe where Matsui¡¯s favorite boy band stopped by.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Apr 5, 2025
Can Japan¡¯s take on fandom help drive spending?
The explosion of ¡°oshikatsu¡± (supporting favored celebrities or characters), which entered the mainstream during the pandemic, has economists and the Bank of Japan taking note.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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