Description

Hello, I’m Hyemin, author at “Mini,” a bookstore specializing in Japanese titles.

This volume is a comprehensive compendium offering an in-depth analysis of the development and evolution of Japanese popular music (J-POP) from the 1970s to the present day. Excluding the traditional enka genre, it divides modern Japanese pop into distinct eras and explores each period’s defining characteristics, representative artists, major labels, and hit songs in detail.

In particular, the book compares J-POP’s unique position and influence in the Asian music market with the reshaped landscape of East Asian popular music following the rise of K-POP in the 2000s. It also sheds light on the Japanese music industry’s distinctive business models and their limitations, the challenges faced during the transition to the digital age, and the latest movements of innovation and change.

From the era when Korea looked to Japanese pop culture for inspiration to the current reversal—where Japan now benchmarks K-POP’s successful model—this work offers a detailed, era-by-era examination of the mutual influences between the two nations’ music scenes. It further delves into the musical styles, careers, signature tracks, and sociocultural impact of the artists who define each period, providing readers with a holistic understanding of J-POP’s history and cultural context. While Japan may presently trail South Korea’s K-POP in global reach, this book does not portray that as a downfall—after all, Japan continues to forge its own path.

We hope this book serves as an invaluable reference for music industry professionals, popular culture scholars, and anyone with an interest in Japanese popular music, offering crucial insights for predicting the future direction of Asian pop.

Thank you.

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Table of Contents

Foreword ……………………………………………………………… 4

1. The Formation and Development of J-Pop 6

2. 1970s: The Dawn of J-Pop ……………………. 6

3. 1980s: The Formative Years of J-Pop …………. 19

4. 1990s: The Golden Age of J-Pop …………………. 51

5. The Era of Change and Challenge ……………………. 90

6. 2000s: Transformations and Challenges in J-Pop

7. 2010s: J-Pop in the Digital Age ……………………. 127

8. Early 2020s: J-Pop in the Pandemic Era …….. 163

III. Comparisons and Analysis ……………………….. 179

7. J-Pop’s Global Impact and Cultural Significance

8. J-Pop Past, Present, and Future ………………….. 190

9. Structural Issues and Challenges in the Japanese Music Industry 197

10. 10. Diversity and Inclusion: The Changing Face of J-Pop .. 213

11. J-Pop Innovation in the Digital Age 228

12. Future Prospects and Challenges for J-Pop 239

1. Appendix …………………………………………………………… 254

2. ’70s–’90s Artists Especially Popular Among Korean Fans … 254

3. Japan’s Lyrical Acoustic Guitar Generation Singers …… 273

4. Glossary of Terms ……………………………………………… 280

5. References ………………………………………………………… 284

Copyright Information ……………………………………………. 287