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Tag - music-streaming

 
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July 24, 2026
 

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MUSIC STREAMING

Japanese rock band Sakanaction gained belated attention worldwide after its 2012 song ¡°Yoru no Odoriko¡± was paired with a viral video of an Indonesian preteen¡¯s dance.
CULTURE / Music
May 29, 2026
Sakanaction¡¯s overseas breakthrough came from a viral dance meme
A video of an Indonesian preteen dancing on a boat became the unlikely springboard for Japanese rockers Sakanaction to gain global attention.
The music industry has been battling AI companies, alleging illegal use of their songs.
BUSINESS / Tech
Nov 20, 2025
Major music labels strike deals with new AI streaming service
The world¡¯s largest music companies have licensed their works to a music startup called Klay, which is building a streaming service that will allow users to remake songs using artificial intelligence tools.
Headlining the second day of YouTube Music Weekend is Vocaloid artist Kikuo, who, with 1.46 million YouTube subscribers, is one of the most popular artists in the genre.
CULTURE / Music
Aug 29, 2025
YouTube Music Weekend is where Japan¡¯s internet-born performers go global
YouTube¡¯s three-day weekend of online performances features a medley of Vocaloid, hyperpop, rock and pop artists in a supportive, cultural festival atmosphere.
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.
Apple Music personalities (from left) Ebro Darden, Kentaro Ochiai, Zane Lowe and Mino came together for a special recording in late April to discuss music and celebrate the newly opened Apple Music studio in Tokyo.
CULTURE / Music
May 8, 2025
With a new Shibuya studio, Apple Music bets big on Japan
Streaming numbers are up, world tours are growing, and now, Tokyo has a new studio aimed at amplifying Japan¡¯s voice.
The EU hit Apple with a €1.8 billion fine ($1.9 billion) on Monday for violating the bloc's laws by preventing music streaming services from informing users about subscription options outside of its App Store.
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 5, 2024
EU fines Apple €1.8 billion over curbs on music streaming services
The European Union found Apple had violated law by preventing music streaming services from telling users about subscription options outside its App Store.
Yasuhide Uno, Usen-Next Holdings CEO, has transformed his father¡¯s company into Netflix¡¯s biggest competitor in Japan.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 28, 2023
Reluctant CEO becomes billionaire at Netflix rival in Japan
Initially wanting nothing to do with his father¡¯s cable music company, Yasuhide Uno¡¯s faith in video streaming helped him rebuild it for a new era.
Sony Group has raised its full-year outlook after its media divisions outperformed.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 9, 2023
Sony raises sales and profit outlook as media helps offset mobile
The adjustments suggest resilient consumer spending and a weaker yen are stabilizing the business.
The Gacha Pop playlist on Spotify offers a wonderfully scattered collection of J-pop chart-toppers, long-running favorites and next-generation names, reflecting the global ambitions of homegrown artists.
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Aug 11, 2023
The summer of Gacha Pop
Spotify¡¯s curated playlist encapsulates J-pop¡¯s diverse range, but more than that, it shows how Japanese music travels in the world today.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 19, 2023
Netflix and Amazon addiction turns into ¡®digital deficit¡¯ and hassle for the yen
The deficit from spending on such services reached ?4.8 trillion last year, almost 90% of Japan¡¯s services account deficit.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Jul 29, 2022
Why Spotify¡¯s Car Thing was destined for the hardware graveyard
The device was aimed at increasing the number of users who listen to music or podcasts while in the car.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 6, 2022
China bans most exclusive copyright deals for digital music platforms
The order comes amid a widening crackdown by Chinese regulators on the country¡¯s technology sector.
Japan Times
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Media / Japan Pulse
Jun 19, 2021
Spotify gets visual in a new TV Tokyo show about podcasting
Spotify dips its toe into broadcast television with a new show that will either be a boon for podcasts or chain restaurants.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Jul 18, 2019
Japan jumps into the music stream
The biggest moment for streaming music in Japan this year came via a handwritten letter. In late June, Kenta Matsumoto of pop-punk trio Wanima shared a note on Twitter announcing that his band¡¯s entire catalog would be uploaded to streaming music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Aug 30, 2018
It¡¯ll take more than Ayumi Hamasaki to help streaming services in Japan
Ayumi Hamasaki has seen better days as a J-pop superstar, but she still carries some clout. So it should have been noteworthy that her newest release, the five-song ¡°Trouble,¡± would arrive on streaming services a bit earlier than in stores. That¡¯s a win for fledgling in-Japan operations such as Spotify...
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
May 18, 2018
YouTube to launch music streaming service on May 22
YouTube will launch a music streaming service next week, it said Thursday, as it looks to use its popular internet video brand to tap the growing market for paid music streaming.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 22, 2017
Record labels face lower revenues from streaming as Apple moves to renegotiate ties
Apple Inc. is seeking to reduce record labels¡¯ share of revenue from streaming as part of negotiations to revise the iPhone maker¡¯s overall relationship with the music industry, according to people familiar with the matter.
Japan Times
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / EXPLAINER
Oct 24, 2016
Can Spotify dent streaming-averse Japan?
Spotify¡¯s long-awaited launch last month has industry watchers wondering whether it will make a major breakthrough in altering Japan¡¯s $3 billion music industry, where 80 percent of sales still come from CDs and other physical formats.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 4, 2016
Can Spotify crack CD-loving Japan?
The music-streaming company may find the world¡¯s second largest and most idiosyncratic music market a tough nut to crack.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Sep 29, 2016
Spotify finally launches in Japan, a nation where other music streaming services have struggled
Popular music streaming service Spotify is trying its luck in Japan, where consumer demand for packaged media such as CDs is traditionally strong and the market for streaming still has huge potential to grow.
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

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Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

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Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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