Kan Sano Lets Go of Control and Lets Others in on ‘Mojacat’
Japanese veteran producer Kan Sano released his first solo album in four years, "Mojacat," embracing a collaborative approach that departs from his long‑standing perfectionist style. The record features guest artists such as J‑pop icon Ua, guitarist Shingo Sekiguchi, singer‑songwriter Satoko Shibata and electronic producer Maika Loubte, blending funk, synth‑pop and jazz influences. Sano also issued an improvised piano CD, "Mental Sketch," sold only at his solo piano shows, underscoring his willingness to experiment with format and distribution. The album’s single‑focused construction reflects streaming‑era listening habits while still honoring the album as an art form.
After Years Away, BTS and Its Fans Reunite at Full Volume
BTS staged a high‑energy comeback at Tokyo Dome, marking their first Japan concert since 2018 and the inaugural stop of the Arirang World Tour after all members completed mandatory military service. The two‑night engagement drew over 50,000 fans whose synchronized light‑stick...
Immersive Exhibition Brings Japanese Folk Monsters to Life
The Yokai Immersive Experience Exhibition opened on April 18 at Warehouse Terrada’s G1 Building in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward and will run through June 28. Using projection mapping, holographic screens and three‑dimensional sets, the show brings yōkai, oni and tsukumogami to life across...
At 80, Yoshio Suzuki Keeps Chasing the Possibilities of Jazz
Yoshio Suzuki celebrated his 80th birthday with a live performance at Billboard Live Yokohama, leading his five‑member ensemble The Blend. The concert showcased a mix of seasoned veterans like tenor saxophonist Kosuke Mine and younger players, delivering both fiery improvisations...
‘Burn’ Lights up Kabukicho’s Darkness with a Bold Vision
Makoto Nagahisa’s new film *Burn* (Japanese title *Enjo*) dramatizes the plight of marginalized teens congregating in Tokyo’s Kabukicho district after the COVID‑19 pandemic. The story follows Jurie, a runaway who is drawn into sex work while trying to raise roughly...
The Curious Case of a Pint-Sized Sleuth’s Box-Office Phenomenon
The 29th Detective Conan film, Fallen Angel of the Highway, opens in Japan on April 10, continuing a three‑decade run of annual releases that have turned the pint‑sized sleuth into a box‑office juggernaut. The franchise has amassed over ¥100 billion (about $667 million)...
Art Trendspotting at Art Fair Tokyo 2026: Craft Appreciation, Uncanny Valley Visuals
Art Fair Tokyo’s 20th edition gathered 141 galleries from Asia‑Pacific, Europe and North America at the Tokyo International Forum. The fair emphasized a blend of traditional craft and contemporary pop‑culture, featuring matcha‑tasting sessions, ceramic works, and a 16‑face wooden sculpture...
‘Sisters in Yellow’ Is a Wild Ride Through Tokyo’s Underworld
Mieko Kawakami’s latest novel, Sisters in Yellow, follows teenage Hana and her older companion Kimiko as they launch a snack‑bar in a seedy Tokyo district and become entangled in small‑time grifts. Serialized in the Yomiuri Shimbun before its 2026 Knopf release,...
Anime Revival Screenings Are Having a Moment
Anime studios are capitalizing on 4K theatrical revivals, with recent screenings of Jin‑roh: The Wolf Brigade and Macross Plus drawing weeks‑long runs at Japanese multiplexes. Legacy titles such as Princess Mononoke, Angel’s Egg, and upcoming Tekkonkinkreet have generated box‑office revenues that rival...
From Clicks to Claps: Online Comics Seek the Stage
Online comedians in Japan, led by TikTok star Ricchaado, are moving from digital platforms to live stages such as Tokyo Comedy Bar. After building a 313,000‑strong Instagram following, Richard Tomic performed his first stand‑up set, blending bilingual characters with personal...