The J-Music Lovers' International Assembly

[telecasterstripes]

But also, somebody mentioned that even if Warner is not that powerful, Burning probably has a hand in pulling the strings. Which means, expect TWICE to win Best New Artist at this year's JRA yay!

 

I saw Dentsu being brought up on a Japanese forum. Some of you may know but for those who don't, it's a huge advertisement company that has power over the media. For example (Source):

ã€Dentsu's share percentage】

ＴＢＳ　　59.4%

ＮＴＶ (Like Zip the morning show that faked the news that Twice had a recognition of 80%)　　42.9%

Fuji (Like Mezamashi TV that reported about Twice for ~10 minutes)　　　50.7%

TV Asahi (like Music Station)　　38.6%

Bungei Shunju　27%

Shukan Bunshun　25%

Shukan Shincho　28%

Yomiuri Newspaper　22.5%

Mainichi Newspaper　24.1%

 

The rest are shared by 3000+ companies so...

 

In the article it says "Dentsu started getting involved with the media after becoming a strong spokesperson for sponsors" and "Dentsu has a lot of control over mass media industry. Especially TV, and stations outside of Tokyo cannot survive without Dentsu. For that reason broadcast stations have no choice but to listen to Dentsu's 'requests'". I don't know if it's as bad as Burning but it's a pretty dark company. Their name became even more well known last year when a woman committed suicide for being overworked. And also because they were said to be involved in the Tokyo Olympic scandal (which most of the media only reported as "the D Company" being involved)

 

Dentsu even used stealth marketing on 2chan but they were caught because of the IP address. And in 2012 they tried to make the Korean food "Samgyetang" a thing but like the kpop boom, they took it too far so people started getting suspicious. In an anime, they used samgyetang instead of porridge (original manga) and suddenly all morning/noon shows were talking about samgyetang being "super popular" and suddenly a lot of celebrities started posting about eating samgyetang on their SNS. Sound familiar? lol. I don't know if Dentsu is behind Twice but I wouldn't be surprised.

 

Edit: What a surprise Burning has Dentsu's support/backup.

Edited June 24, 2017 by telecasterstripes

[telecasterstripes]

Yeah, Dentsu has an entire team dedicated to 2ch and GC. That's why I find it funny when people say netizen comments are irrelevant when the biggest advertising company in Japan is like constantly on there.

 

In the end, the Japanese industry is so incestual that nothing really surprises me.

 

I understand them ignoring racist comments but a lot of the comments on gc weren't and were just pointing out that they're not actually popular and it's just gori-oshi but they were saying "These are women's comments so of course they're just jealous". I couldn't help but laugh when they were saying gori-oshi is good because it's recognition. Since when is force-feeding good? They're very optimistic... I am almost certain that the those who will bulk buy their CDs are just kpop fans and not new fans they gained through all this gori-oshi.

[telecasterstripes]

LOL https://onehallyu.com/topic/537894-844-of-japanese-hate-kpop/

 

Kpop is definitely still popular in Japan! I mean look at all these sold out concerts:

 

Bigbang's Fukuoka concert (Dec 9, 2016 <- Friday)

According to a fan that went "Today's Yahoo Fukuoka Dome, only 1/4 of the stands were filled so any seat was a 'kami-seki'! (what's the English term? God seat? lol) But such a (small) group of people got to monopolize BIGBANG so I feel satisfied And TOP-chan's still seemed excited despite the low turn out lol"

 

 

 

BTS's live on July 15, 2016 (That would also be a Friday...)

According to a fan that: "I heard that there are 1800 empty seats! Isn't that so mean? When they practiced and worked hard so everyone can enjoy it!"

 

 

 

Honestly there's more (I've seen these kinds of pictures for Ikon and EXO) but strangely this doesn't spread around the international fans so they only know about them "Selling out" the concerts.

 

You can give them all these receipt and they still will deny it. If you argue with them you're just a "bitter anti" lol.

 

Don't get me wrong, I still like kpop but I don't like it in Japan mostly because of these annoying delusional fans. Although I used to be one (a TWICE fans )until recently.

Edited June 26, 2017 by telecasterstripes

[telecasterstripes]

At this point I really give up. As long as they dont come for my kings (Toho), im not gonna bother

 

A lot of new fans really don't understand that Tohoshinki are really on another level. Can these new idols even sell without handshake event tickets and random photo cards?

 

 

Anyways, do you guys know them/her?

 

I was looking through artists that have music on googleplay and nowisee came up and I fell in love with this song but I can't find much info. I'm probably not looking hard enough though lol. 

Edited June 26, 2017 by telecasterstripes

[telecasterstripes]

We haven't picked a specific city yet, but somewhere in Tokyo.

 

We want to not look like obvious tourists. Sightseeing during the day, and then the nightlife, although that'll probably be a weekend thing. LGBT-friendly places are a plus!

 

Shinjuku is pretty LGBT and foreigner friendly. Matsuko Deluxe called it a place that "accepts everyone" lol. Shinjuku station is convenient as well so you can go to other parts of Tokyo pretty easily. If you're landing in Haneda, there is a limousine bus that takes you to Shinjuku Station so you wouldn't have to worry about going in the packed trains with your suitcase(s) and not being able to sit when you're already tired from getting off the plane. So even if you choose not to stay in Shinjuku, I recommend choosing a hotel near a place where it stops.

 

Also this website separated Tokyo into sections and then gives recommendations so I think it will be helpful. It was translated from Japanese to English so some parts might sound a bit weird but I think it's understandable.

Edited June 26, 2017 by telecasterstripes

[telecasterstripes]

Mhm, as well as December 10th and 11th didn't sell out for Bigbang.... It's sad, because Korean netizens buy into the mediaplay.... 

 

Oh wow 10th and 11th that's a Saturday and Sunday? Yikes. Since I'm not and never was a fan of bigbang (I don't dislike them or anything though) I wouldn't care if they weren't reported as the group that "brought in more people to their concerts than Arashi". Similar thing with ikon. Kpop fans always say "iKon is huge in Japan" but are they really? I listen to both Japanese music and kpop but since they weren't very active in Korea and they definitely weren't/aren't mainstream in Japan, I had no idea who they were until kpop fans were always talking about them being popular in Japan... Even when they won an award for record taisho the most common reaction I saw on yahoo, twitter and gc was "...Who?" or something along those lines.

[telecasterstripes]

 

 

lmao the expose. how embarrassing

the gori oshi is real

 

LOL this was my first post on OH! Not the quote but the picture with the explanation. Glad it's spreading (if it is...).

But I have a feeling the fans will ignore this...

 

When this picture was posted on Japanese forums there were a few people "praising" ZIP since they usually just hire actors but for this they actually took the time to find real fans. The funniest thing is, I think it was a fan of Twice that posted this picture as a spoiler saying "I saw a staff of ZIP looking for fans. Doesn't this mean Twice is going to appear on ZIP?!" she had no idea it was to "prove" that Twice had 80% recognition amongst "randomly chosen women".

Edited June 27, 2017 by telecasterstripes

[telecasterstripes]

The things they use as "proof" of a certain group being "huge in Japan" are always questionable things. Like "sold out" concerts with many vacant seats and all the mediaplay on tv shows. But the one I thought was the funniest was when fans were freaking out about Twice's ads being everywhere in Shibuya and used it to claim how they're popular. Aren't ads are something their side pays for to have up? Or does it work differently?

 

I have a question, when did kpop groups start doing the whole handshake/high-touch thing to sell CDs in Japan? I only found out about it last year but it's not that recent right? I don't remember KARA or SNSD doing it but maybe I just wasn't paying attention.

Edited June 30, 2017 by telecasterstripes

[telecasterstripes]

Doesn't it means that their company is rich enough to plaster them everywhere? It's marketing. Those ads will definitely contribute to their promo. Btw, u hv been a kpop fan before, I believe u know some fans can be super delusional and live in their bubbles.

 

Yeah I thought it was marketing but since fans were bragging about them "being everywhere/queens of Japan" I was starting to think only special people can have ads in Shibuya lol.

 

And yes, I was a pretty delusional kpop/Twice fan until very recently and sadly I'm starting to fade away from kpop for like the third or fourth time. I wouldn't know much about a certain group's success in Korea but I already know that the kpop boom is dead in Japan and that it's just a niche market. With how bad the relation between the two countries are, I'm sure more and more people are starting to hate kpop. It's easy to say that "they're just right-wingers/nationalists and not the gp" but it's not really something that simple. But I guess kpop groups can make enough money from the bulk buyers for a while and their international fans can call that "slaying Japan".

[telecasterstripes]

If it's because I used the word "del*sional" to describe a group of people that I used to be a part of, then I will avoid using that word but I don't see how the other things, such as sharing what we know about the Japanese music industry is bashing.

 

Also I think it's difficult to post without being judged as long as the upvote/downvote exist...

 

For example, when someone posted translations of comments from gc regarding a "certain group's" popularity in Japan, I saw some comments from jpop fans getting downvoted even when they weren't saying anything insulting.

[telecasterstripes]

anyone hype for indigo la end ? 

 

 

Now I am lol. I've never listened to their songs before but from this I'm looking forward to 1. Omoikiri 3. Neko ni mo ai wo 10. Tenshi ni kiss wo

[telecasterstripes]

I'm going off memory so please bear with the spotty info....*ahem*....nowisee is a multimedia project put together by a team of producers and artists. There is one designated female singer whose identity remains unrevealed. By multimedia, I mean in addition to releasing songs, the nowisee project includes an original novel, a manga, a webcomic series, and of course, the animated music videos for every song. The idea for the project was for it to last a total of two years and the channel is set to release a new music video and song every month for 24 months. At the end of each 12 month cycle, they will release a 12 track long album as a sort of summery of their musical side of the project for the year. The first album of the project "Tenohira no Senso" was released at the end of 2016 (with the project having started in late 2015) and contains full versions of all previously released songs from the Youtube channel. 

Here's the official website (in JAP): http://nowisee.jp/

 

Oh thank you for explaining. It's really cool how they have a whole project with novel and comics, no wonder their covers and videos have anime on it. I looked at their website but only at the discography and didn't read the description since I was already confused seeing so many different things. Now it makes sense. I really love her voice and the lyrics are great.

[telecasterstripes]

Hi guys, so Keyakizaka46 just released their mv for their song, Eccentric and I wanted to hear your thoughts on it.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByXh3ksCJrZjTGhaM21BdGhiM1k/view

I personally love it.

 

I like Silent Majority and Fukyowaon more (I only know those two songs) but this song is good too. I like the piano and the lyrics. The dance is kind of funny though lol.

 

I'm starting to gain interest in this group because of Watanabe Risa.

[telecasterstripes]

Does anyone know if Ogura Yui is marketed as an a sort of seiyuu-idol kinda thing? I mean it's obvious that she is image wise and fanbase wise (she is totally idol material), but I'm wondering if she is advertised as such officially from her management. I just watched her newest MV and I've never seen something so idol from someone not labeled as one. 

 

I didn't really know her so I had to look her up but on her official blog, twitter, and instagram she wrote "Seiyuu/Artist". And recently she was on the cover of a magazine/book(?) and there was a part where a few idols were gathered to talk about her and the magazine introduced her as "Ogura Yui, who is more idol-like than idols" so I guess she prefers not being called an idol.

[telecasterstripes]

New Kanjani8 album is #1 in the world last week. Time to update the world chart thread, I guess Docu?

 

Congrats to them! I listened to it and loved it.

[telecasterstripes]

I like how coherent the sound is despite having so many writers. Not necessarily my favourite (Juke Box still is), but it comes second at the moment.

 

Yeah my favorite album is still "FIGHT" and second is "Juke Box" so maybe third for now.

 

Feels like this can be made a thread at the Random section, but I'll ask J-music fans here first:

 

Let's say that you have a Line Music subscription where you only have to pay 960 yen for unlimited streaming (if you're a student you'll only pay 480 yen) for one month, are you the type to:

 

a. Stream as many songs as you can

b. Stream only the songs you like as many times as you like

c. Stream only a song (or a few songs) from only the artists you like

d. Stream the hell out of that one (or a couple) of song(s) so that they will chart

e. Other type (what?)

 

Remember that it's unlimited streaming. As for me I'd probably take advantage of it (it's only 960 yen per month!) so I'll go with A.

 

Edit: Oops sorry for double post!

 

A: Stream as many songs as you can.

Edited July 20, 2017 by telecasterstripes

[telecasterstripes]

Click here to view the Tweet

 

Translation:

"It's about time I tell the truth!

 

When I was interviewed by Music Station, I was asked, "Who is the artist you received influence from?", I answered "Shokotan (Nakagawa Shoko)!" and then they said "I'm going to retake it so say 'Kyary Pamyu Pamyu'" and I had to retake it lol.

 

And that's the one that aired lol"

 

I guess music station's interviews can't be trusted either.

[telecasterstripes]

LMFAO

 

Those street "interviews" always seemed suspicious.

 

I mean I had a feeling they look for fans of the guests on purpose but I didn't think they would go as far as making the person lie.

[telecasterstripes]

I may just be old and bitter, but I trust none of those big shows.

 

Seriously though. There's a lot lies on shows, not just interviews, and it's always funny when people point it out on twitter. Like recently there was a show that was talking about ghost pictures and someone found the original picture for one of them and there were no ghosts in the picture lol.

[telecasterstripes]

They're all bullshit, like that segment asking Japanese people in the street about TWICE and amazingly they all knew and liked TWICE. Then it turned out the producer was holding a sign saying "ATTENTION TWICE KPOP FANS!" or something.

 

A former Fuji Tv announcer (Yutaka Hasegawa) even revealed that "All information programs (Like Zip, Mezamashi, etc.) are for stealth marketing" and he said "Movie companies and many entertainment agencies have business dinners with (our) staff where they are given money and that's how the staff decides most of the things that are going to be introduced. The programs never say bad things about the theme right? Of course, because they receive money so even if the movie is boring, you have to say it's interesting, and if you eat something you have to say it tastes good. Over half of the time it doesn't even taste good. But we have to say it. This is the same thing as the celebrity who's stealth marketing became a social issue.

 

The information department that creates these information programs are different from the press department/bureau because they're not part of any journalist groups. For example even within Fuji, the information department is called by the derogatory term 'Wide-san' by the press department. So when the information department wants to use press videos, we have to ask for permission and even bow to them (basically beg) it's such an idiotic system. We're both part of the same company (Fuji). But even if we receive videos from them, there's no way we can make it last for 1-2 hours so we have no choice but to use stealth marketing to make it last (that long)"

 

And different stations (including NHK) often use the same actors/actresses for these programs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking back at all these I don't know why I was so surprised by the music station one.

[telecasterstripes]

A lot of variety shows have been caught lying before but they still do it anyways. Like one time on one of Matsuko Deluxe's show they were introducing a keyboard cleaner (or something like that) and there was a before and after picture showing how clean the keyboard is because of the produce, but if you looked at the two picture, you can tell that they are two different keyboards lol. And I think the broadcast station said they can't admit anything or something like that. So when they introduce things, a lot of times they're just being paid for it.

[telecasterstripes]

Yeah I'm sure most of the variety shows are scripted/fake but I still watch a lot lol that are interesting enough. Even if I know a lot of it is fake, it's still funny/interesting when insiders/former insiders reveal the truth behind shows lol.

[telecasterstripes]

I like Arashi, but I don't really want them to be the hosts of Kohaku.

Edited July 30, 2017 by telecasterstripes

[telecasterstripes]

Do you guys agree with the ranking of "singers who are really good at singing" chosen by 200 professionals (like vocal trainers, music engineers, etc.)

 

1. Tamaki Koji

2. Kubota Toshinobu

3. Superfly

4. Natsukawa Rimi

5. Yoshida Miwa (DREAMS COME TRUE)

6. Utada Hikaru

7. Fukuhara Miho

8. Inoue Yosui

8. ATSUSHI (EXILE)

10. Fuse Akira

 

I remember being really amazed by Kubota and Superfly the first time I heard them.

Edited August 14, 2017 by telecasterstripes

[telecasterstripes]

That's an interesting list there, but my untrained ear will disagree with some of it. I only recognise 8/10 of those names, (I only don't know Fukuhara Miho and Fuse Akira)

 

I agree with you that Kubota and Superfly amazing vocalists. I would probably add MISIA, Yagami Junko, Ohashi Junko, Matsuyama Chiharu, Yamashita Tatsuro and a whole host of Enka singers e.g. Ishikawa Sayuri there. Special mention for Nana Mizuki because she was acutally trained in Enka is quite a capable vocalist in her own right.

 

Inoue Yosui is a strange one because I've never taken him as a power vocalist since his voice is quite airy thin, but his lives are always on point to his credit. Tamaki Koji's vocals are definitely powerful, but probably not enough to warrant #1.

 

Hikki's vocals are overrated, Kuu is the better vocalist if we're going to put a token J-Diva in there.

 

Yeah I agree that Ishikawa Sayuri and MISIA should be on here. Fuse Akira (#10) used to appear on Kohaku and he was really good.

 

Utada???? :/

 

She has a unique tone, but her singing skills? Kuu is much more stable than her. Love Utada but I disagree with her being in the ranking.

 

I'm happy to see Superfly there!

 

Yeah I was surprised about Utada. She has great songs but I didn't think she was famous for being a good singer.

 

 

It was uploaded to youtube recently but it seems like this is from a few years ago (2014) lol. But it probably wouldn't be too different now.

 

(Very) rough translations of  some of the reasons listed. I wasn't sure about some of the technical words so sorry if it sounds kind of strange:

 

1. Tamaki Koji: "His skills are above average and very touching", "His rhythm is precise and his songs have blank space so it is playful", "The outlook of the world expressed in his songs are fantastic", "His live performance and the CD is the same so there is no need for edits".

 

2. Kubota Toshinobu: "His groove is like authentic R&B", "His sense of rhythm is not common in Japan", "The way he catches each sound is amazing", "There is a deepness to his voice and it is glossy. His fake* is very sensitive and amazing" (* I don't know if it's the same in English but apparently it means like arranging? Like how a singer purposely changes the way he sings during lives).

 

3. Superfly: "Her powerfulness and stability doesn't lose to the (back-up) bands", "Her voice is carefree and goes forward, it's thick and has depth", "Overwhelming skills and her voice has power and core. Her high-tone voice really stands out from the crowd", "Her range is very wide and her volume is well balanced".

 

4. Natsukawa Rimi: "Her voice is clear. I couldn't help but be lost in her transparent voice", "Transparent, beautiful voice", "With her voice quality and her skills, it doesn't matter which microphone she uses", "No matter when you hear her, she is always good".

 

5. Yoshida Miwa: "She is just good", "She lets you hear various techniques in one song" "Her volume and pitch is stable and her performance is full of energy", "Her powerful voice during performances are no different from CDs. Whether it's a ballad or easygoing song, she sings without struggling".

 

6. Utada Hikaru: "She was born with a radiant voice and her voice has the heartrending sound that Japanese people love", "Her sense of rhythm is extraordinary", "Even without a microphone, her voice still goes through", "Her emotions go along with the melody".

 

7. Fukuhara Miho: "Her pitches are precise and her her beats are uncommon in Japan", "She has volume. With her skills, she can go overseas", "I heard her performance through PA (Public address system) even before her debut, but her skills are fantastic"

 

8. Inoue Yosui: "His voice lingers and soaks into your body", "(His singing) is powerful and erotic, and he really transcends the expression/description of 'good and bad'. Number one singer in Japan", "His acapellas are a masterpiece"

 

8. Exile Atsushi: "I've seen a lot of performances but the only person I was amazed by was him", "His vocal power and overwhelming stability is amazing as a pro", "No matter how many times he rehearses or moves around stage, his skills do not waver".

 

10. Fuse Akira: "He has a wide vocal range and the vibrato during his high notes really shakes me", "The way his voice spreads out amazing", "No need to explain how great he is"