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Tokyo is trending: the rise of J-Pop
Emma McCarthy23 Jan 2012
While the emergence of K-Pop, the South Korean pop music phenomenon, was big news late last year, in 2012 it's J-Pop that is taking centre stage with London's teens - and bringing with it a Japanese street-style scene.
As Japan is the world's second largest music market behind the US, its latest export already has a massive cult youth following and London's club scene has been quick to embrace the trend.
New Bloomsbury Lanes club night Japan Underground boasts live bands and music from top J-Pop and J-Rock DJs. The launch night, themed on the cult Samurai fighting game Sengoku Basara, sold out and the venue's next night, on February 4, is set to be a Japanese tribute to the best of the West - with a full DJ set of remixed dance-floor hits and a Queen cover band.
But music is not the only aspect of Japanese culture that has engrossed London's youth. Current J-Pop icons, such as nine-strong girl group Morning Musume and oshare kei three-piece ALiBi, have found fame as much through their eccentric fashion. Self-confessed queen of kook Kyary Pamyu Pamyu started life as a style blogger before turning to music, while Ayumi Hamasaki - known as Ayu to her fans and the Empress of J-Pop to the media - embodies a constantly changing image which earned her Japanese campaigns with London-based brands Rimmel and Aquascutum last year, as well as becoming the first J-Pop artist to have a number one album for 13 consecutive years since her debut.
Iconic Japanese street fashion, most notably hailing from the Harajuku shopping district of Tokyo, is being adopted by many style tribes, from the black lace grunge of Gothic Lolita to the glam rock aesthetic of Visual Kei and the purveyors of all things cute and fluffy, Kawaii. But, J-Pop artists aside, several Western pop stars have moulded their image in the same quirky way. Style extremist Nicki Minaj and blue-haired chameleon Katy Perry are currently helping to make the look mainstream.
This season the unique Japanese street style has also trickled into high fashion circles. On the spring/summer 2012 catwalks the look was championed by eclectic London Fashion Week designers Meadham Kirchhoff, who layered frilled blouses with teddy bear pinafores and paired knee-high socks with pom-pom Geta sandals. Miu Miu also teamed A-line patchwork skirts, crop tops and off-the-shoulder capes that reflected the doll-like styling favoured by Lolitas.
But for the devoted Londoners - for whom Japanese styling is more than just a fashion trend - there is a Far East fest coming to the capital. Next month, Japanese culture convention Hyper Japan heads to Brompton Hall, celebrating everything from sushi and sake to J-Pop and Harajuku. From the Sweet Lolitas to the anime addicts, expect to see much more of these Japanese fashion tribes across London in the immediate future. We're heading for a Tokyo takeover.
Reader views (9)
Yes, the article seems to lack good journalism.
i think there is a misconception regarding the kpop in japan, it is being looked down upon by most japanese, and i think the korean governments money to maintain its "successful" image is certainly growing weaker. SM entertainment and korean government as you probably know, under the guise of nation branding have bought out many major japanese broadcast companies and play korean content day and night and japanese people are very sick of it. the content is garbage, is nothing but cheap quality and imitation of our own entertainment industry, and most certainly american music style. it is disgusting to us and really wish it will go away, the media says it is so popular but we look around and wonder who on earth is listening to this garbage? no one we know, and no one i know knows anyone who likes it. it is complete falsification.
sm entertainment also does bulk buying when album release to appear on the chart, but then it soon disappears, everyday unknown korean performer keep bugging us, no one knows the name, no one cares.
please do not think kpop is popular in japan, our taste is not so bad, and we only see it as cheap quality imitation.
but right now korean trying to infiltrate many aspect of japan like government by using japanese name, so right now is very strange time.
- himekawa jun, tokyo, japan, 14/02/2012 03:28
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I think there is misconception regarding kpop in japan. japanese people very sick of this, because korean government has a nation branding campaign they bribe the broadcast companies to play korean content all day and all night, and no one like it. and there may be some very small population who may actually like kpop, we japanese only see it as very cheap imitation of our music and culture and american music, but more so copy of american style.
the records do not sale, it has been covered many times sm entertainment does a bulk buying at release and to mark the album on the chart, and they soon fall very rapidly, this is done with countless unknown kpop groups who people have never heard of, but according to our own media is so popular. hah there is very strange thing happening here regarding korean government and infiltration of koreans into japan, they often portray korea in high light and always make japanese look foolish and even though japan win world cup and asia cup for soccer, they do not broadcast the anthem or the winning ceremony.
but please do not think japanese people like kpop, are taste is not so bad, kpop is really not successful as it may seem it is all marketing by nation branding of korean government, they pay japanese people to greet korean stars and to attend concert, theses people are paid and with lunch and transportation, it not reflection of the people.
im sorry my english is not good, but we are so sick of it here in japan,this fake kpop boom
- tsuchijunko, toukyou, japan, 14/02/2012 03:15
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There's always a reason for keeping these kind of things underground...
- Monica, London, UK, 02/02/2012 12:24
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great to see Japanese pop culture being mentioned for once, as i am a HUGE J-culture fan *especially j-punk*! Hyper Japan is gonna be awesome i realy recommend attending, its awesome!!!
- alexandra, London, England, 26/01/2012 19:56
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Hahaha this article was so funny. I can't believe this writer wrote about Morning Musume, who like the others have already mentioned, are about 10 years past their prime. Should have mentioned acts like AKB48.
Anyway, the Japan trend is much older than the Korean wave and Japanese rock bands and artists have been coming to London earlier than Korean bands have. Also, events like Hyper Japan have existed before these Korean events.
Please research better next time Emma McCarthy.
Although, I'll give you credit for informing us about Japanese influence in 2012 S/S fashion.
- Hmm, UK, 26/01/2012 19:07
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This is really lazy journalism. Morning Musume were at their peak 10 years ago and barely exist now. Ayumi Hamazaki was at her peak about 4 or 5 years ago. The gothic lolita look has existed for a good few years now. Anyone with any awareness of J-pop and its related culture would know that the current top mainstream artists are AKB48 and Exile.
- Ace, London, 24/01/2012 21:40
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um.... I love jpop, dont get me wrong... but jpop is older news. People have been listening to jpop for YEARS... Most (or at least many) people get into Kpop THROUGH Jpop (more or less, or through the leap between mangas/anime to manhwa or watching k or j dramas). Many people have been listening to kpop for years too - but 2011 was the year when it really became more common knowledge.
Jpop is less likely to become an international sensation as well because Japanese music companies dont advertise internationally (dont have huge Youtube accounts and concerts and stuff) whereas Kpop does. This is in part because Japan would prefer to be known for their more traditional stuff (kimonos, samurai, onsen etc) than their pop culture, where as Korea has fully embraced capitalism and puts a huge amount of effort into Hallyu (the Korean Wave)...
Sorry about my essay...
Conclusion: JPop is NOT 'new' and 2012 is not the year for it (tho i WOULD love it if it was). This year will continue to see the rise of Kpop - with another BEAST concert coming up, rumours of Jay Park, CNblue and FTisland, Siwon and Gary currently in the capital (after Psy and Eunhyuks more recent visits), GGs, Wonder Girls and 2NE1s english speaking promotions (i cant wait!) and a possible music festival in London, you can see all the promotion that KPOP is getting. Whereas Japan is not trying to spread their music (and is actually itself falling for the Korean Wave as well). Though i wish the best for them both 
- Philippa, T. Wells, 24/01/2012 18:51
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i read this in the newspapaer last night, and i must say i do agree with daniel! i am a cosplayer and love everything to do with japan. i have been to all the hyperjapans and i go to MCM expo in london. the thought of a japanese fashion takeover excites me because for once i can dress like my normal self and be thought of as fashionable and not another weird person on the streets of london! and i must say it will be awesome to go into a normal shop and buy clothes i would have to otherwise get from a convention or order abroad.
to me japanese fashion, music e.c.t. is more than a passing fashion it outlines who i am, what i do with my free time, my dreams in life and my passions. without the japanese influence i wouldnt be so confident and free spirited as i am today.
i urge anybody thinking of going to hyperjapan to go! and hey why not cosplay! look out for me in the cosplay masquerade and i hope to see you there!
- Toby (Golden Iceberg), Herts, England, 24/01/2012 12:20
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"Current" J-pop icons Morning Musume? Um, no. Just... no.
Also, since this is an article about Japanese MUSIC, why do you tell us more about Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's style than her sound? Did you listen to any Japanese music before writing this? Did your editor?
And then as usual the story devolves into fashion speak, "most notably" Harajuku and its influence over "many" of the street tribes of Tokyo. We do have other types of fashion here you know, and Harajuku style is hardly new. But then I guess it's easier to rehash the same solitary angle that's done the rounds for almost a decade than it is to think of a new one, eh?
- Daniel, Tokyo, Japan, 24/01/2012 03:00
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