Do you want that jpop / Japanese music will get more recognized outside of Japan?

[Obelisk]

I thought at first it was a good idea, but people in the west, especially in US are very judgmental of a very minor things. If I'm right, even BABYMETAL made a controversy.

[rinahamu]

Didn't it used to be more popular outside? Jrock used to be a thing here in 00s but then most of fans started listening to kpop. 

[DocumentaLy]

I don't really care about it being popular overseas. But the thing is though is that I want people to have a realistic view of it. One of my problems right now, with fans and non-fans alike, is that their vision of the scene isn't at all realistic. Some are stuck in last decade, while some think it's all kawaii / weird shit.

[Jingshin]

I and all my friends who currently listen to k-pop used to listen j-pop/-rock. Japanese music was waaay popular back then k-pop came out of nowhere.

[Takamina]

Isn't jpop/jrock are still popular outside Japan? Especially ost.

[Obelisk]

I don't really care about it being popular overseas. But the thing is though is that I want people to have a realistic view of it. One of my problems right now, with fans and non-fans alike, is that their vision of the scene isn't at all realistic. Some are stuck in last decade, while some think it's all kawaii / weird shit.

It actually could be fixed easily, if Japan did proper promotion. A lot of Russian fans also have distorted ideas of what is actually relevant.

[The Jany]

It wont affect me if it is popular or not overseas so I dont really care. But if it means easier way for international fans to get stuffs then I dont mind it

[DocumentaLy]

It actually could be fixed easily, if Japan did proper promotion. A lot of Russian fans also have distorted ideas of what is actually relevant.

 

I don't know if it could be fixed with proper promotion because Cool Japan basically just wants to push weeaboo bait music when this stuff isn't what is actually popular in Japan.

[Thebluecapricorn]

No, but I want the Japanese music industry to be more foreigner-friendly and upload full videos and non-Jpop fans (especially ignorant Kpop fans) to know that Jpop isn't all about Kawaii and weird stuff.

[sane]

I don't really care about it being popular overseas. But the thing is though is that I want people to have a realistic view of it. One of my problems right now, with fans and non-fans alike, is that their vision of the scene isn't at all realistic. Some are stuck in last decade, while some think it's all kawaii / weird shit.

 

Obviously that's not all there is to Japan, but in fairness it is pretty much kawaii central, so it's not really inaccurate to think "cute" when you think of Japan. Everything in Japan seems to have a cute version of it somewhere. I swear I've even spotted cute toilet brushes and the like while browsing shops 

[puellarum generatio]

depends if they actually try to expend the market

[DocumentaLy]

Obviously that's not all there is to Japan, but in fairness it is pretty much kawaii central, so it's not really inaccurate to think "cute" when you think of Japan. Everything in Japan seems to have a cute version of it somewhere. I swear I've even spotted cute toilet brushes and the like while browsing shops 

 

We're talking about music here though. People think things like LADYBABY are popular when they can't even shift 500 copies of their viral video hit in Japan.

[25%Cotton]

i want it to because i feel it has a lot to offer musically, but people only focus on the idol groups and how they aren't strong vocalists.

[Carlos]

Yes... so many hidden gems in japan. back then japan act like larc en ciel, utada hikaru, ayumi hamazaki is more popular overseas than any k-pop groups

[sane]

We're talking about music here though. People think things like LADYBABY are popular when they can't even shift 500 copies of their viral video hit in Japan.

 

That specific group isn't popular, but Babymetal is similar and growing in popularity, so they're not too far off the mark.

[akisame]

I don't really care about JPop becoming more popular outside of Japan, I just want people to stop thinking that it's all just seiyuus, visual kei bands and idol groups. There's so much more to the Japanese music scene than the weaboo bait that most people think it is. It would also be better if Japanese music was more accessible on YouTube as well.

[echu2012]

I've been seeing similar threads lately here in OH where people want J-Pop to be recognized internationally, just as much as K-Pop is. It's getting tiring, tbh.

 

To be honest, I don't care if J-Pop doesn't want to expand globally. If they earn more money domestically, there's no reason for them to reach out to the international community. As what I observe, certain groups/agencies recognize that they have international fandom; hence, they have English versions of their websites. For example, there's Johnny's that have language option for JWeb and there's SCANDAL who recently re-opened their online store for international buyers. But then again, those efforts are to cater to their existing international fans and not to attract additional fans. 

 

Anyway, as much as I like some Babymetal songs, unfortunately, the fact that they have a "weird" concept is what made them well-known among foreigners.

[gyrobot]

I would like more positive recognition for Jpop thats for sure

[sakurahanabira]

Isn't Jpop/Japanese music already recognized outside of Japan? Maybe not on a mass scale like with Kpop, but there's already fans of Japanese music around the world. Though most of them that I've come across tend to be also anime fans...

[Cassalis]

Yes, more chances to have subs then.

[IceHism]

I don't care at this point. It can be whatever.

[DocumentaLy]

That specific group isn't popular, but Babymetal is similar and growing in popularity, so they're not too far off the mark.

 

But it's not as if they are one of the top acts or at all representative of the scene.

[Midna]

Honestly I'm whatever about it now. As long I can find out about new stuff and see shows (subbed would be lovely. It raws are still Something), I'm good.

[sane]

But it's not as if they are one of the top acts or at all representative of the scene.

 

So? A lot of the top acts in Japan don't have much international appeal. What's important isn't creating a 100% accurate image of Japan for every person in the world, what's important is creating a positive image of Japan for as many people as possible. That's how soft power works. Japan ultimately gains a lot more than it loses by having an international image of being full of weird and cute stuff, including weird and cute music.

[DocumentaLy]

So? A lot of the top acts in Japan don't have much international appeal. What's important isn't creating a 100% accurate image of Japan for every person in the world, what's important is creating a positive image of Japan for as many people as possible. That's how soft power works. Japan ultimately gains a lot more than it loses by having an international image of being full of weird and cute stuff, including weird and cute music.

 

An accurate image would be a more positive image though. Right now there is a negative image because the scene is being portrayed inaccurately. If people are going to come into the scene, they should know what it is about exactly, and it's not about weird and cute stuff. That is a mere subset that a niche audience subscribes to.