Tokyo Journal Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie talked with singer and actor Genki Hirakata, who starred as the White Rabbit in the HoriPro musical production of Alice in Wonderland in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya in November and December 2014.
Between 1995 and 2010, as a member of Shiki Theatrical Company, Megumi Hamada played
2014 proved to be a busy year for 23-year-old actress and singer Mitsuki Takahata who starred as Helen Keller in the stage play The Miracle Worker and appeared in the TV drama Cheering Beat for Tomorrow, Gunshi Kanbei, the made-for-TV movie Tokyo Sentimental, the domestic film Jossy’s and in the international film The Vancouver Asahi. The Vancouver Asahi, based on the legendary Japanese-Canadian baseball team, was featured at the Hawaii International Film Festival as well as the Vancouver International Film Festival where it scored the top audience award–the Rogers People’s Choice Award. Her past work includes the title role in a five-year run of the stage play Peter Pan and a two-year role in the TV drama Kinpachi Sensei, one of Japan’s most beloved TV dramas with a three-decade history. The singer has also released two albums and three singles. She shows no signs of slowing down by performing in the stage play Iyaounashini in January and February 2015 as well as the TV drama Restaurant with Something Wrong in January 2015. Tokyo Journal Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie spoke with Mitsuki about her recent projects.
The late Nirvana singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain was one of their biggest fans, saying, “When I finally got to see them live, I was transformed into a hysterical nine-year-old girl at a Beatles concert.” Formed in 1981, the Osaka-based all-female band Shonen Knife influenced ‘90s alternative acts like Sonic Youth and Redd Kross with driving beats, catchy melodies and simplistic lyrics about food and animals like “Banana Chips,” “I Am A Cat,” “Ramen Rock” and “Cannibal Papaya.” Tokyo Journal Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie carried out a backstage interview with singer/guitarist/founder Naoko Yamano, bassist Ritsuko Taneda and drummer Emi Morimoto prior to their October 2014 gig at the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles.
As heavy metal giant Megadeth guitarist, he had sales of over 10 million records and three top-10-radio singles. He’s received 27 gold and platinum records from around the world, five Grammy nominations, and headlined Rock in Rio in front of 140,000 in Brazil. In 2003, Marty moved to Japan and became not only a fixture of the Japanese music scene working with the top acts of J-POP, heavy metal, enka and classical, but is a television celebrity appearing as a regular on five major networks on mainstream hit TV programs nearly every day in Japan. Why did he leave one of metal’s most successful acts to live in Japan, work with J-POP idols and become a TV celebrity? Tokyo Journal Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie talked to Marty Friedman about his love for Japan.
BABYMETAL are breaking new ground in more ways than one.
The concept: Two mannequins, RiRi (a combat mannequin) and LuLa (a nurse mannequin), are controlled by human agents Honey-B and W-Trouble in a quest for world domination. They are heading a movement to support mannequins who’ve been mistreated by humans for years. The concept combines Japanese high fashion and otaku [nerd] culture. Fans earn points (called mentions) by spreading the word about FEMM through social networking on Twitter and Facebook and can use them toward getting items for mannequins that they control. Is this the concept behind Japan’s newest anime, manga or video game? No, this is the Avex pop duo FAR EAST MENTION MANNEQUINS (FEMM). Combine the producers behind global phenoms such as Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry and Beyoncé for a slick sound; HIDALI, the choreographer behind will.i.am and the robotic team WORLD ORDER’s dance moves for a polished performance; designer GM Atelier for outlandish latex costumes, and English songs with memorable titles like “Fxxk Boyz Get Money” and “Kill the DJ” and you have FEMM. Tokyo Journal Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie spoke with Honey-B and W-Trouble.
According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Boyz II Men are the most commercially successful R&B group of all time and were involved in three of the longest-running number one pop singles in history. The four-time Grammy-winning American R&B vocal group is celebrating their 22-year career with their newest album Collide and an extended residency in Las Vegas. Their 1992 single End of the Road broke Elvis Presley’s record for the total number of weeks at number one by staying at Billboard Hot 100’s top spot for 13 weeks. Then they went on to break their own record with “I’ll Make Love to You” and “One Sweet Day” with Mariah Carey, each setting new records for the total number of weeks at number one with 14 and 16 weeks respectively. They also became the third artists in history to replace themselves at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 when “On Bended Knee” succeeded “I’ll Make Love to You” at the number one spot–only The Beatles and Elvis had previously accomplished this feat.
Best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies, the group that started as a quartet featuring Michael McCarey are now a trio consisting of baritone Nathan Morris and tenors Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman. The group, who has enjoyed a special relationship with Japan including Japan-only album releases and an album of English versions of Japanese pop covers, recently returned to Tokyo in September 2014. Tokyo Journal caught up with Boyz II Men’s superstar Shawn Stockman, who outside of the group has released successful solo singles, served as a judge on NBC television’s a cappella singing competition The Sing-Off and has worked to help raise awareness about autism, which affects one of his twin sons. Shawn talked about the secrets to their success and their appreciation for Japan.
Keiji Inafune has been named one of the top 10 game creators in the world. The video game concept developer and designer had a stellar 23-year career at CAPCOM as head of the production, research & development and online development divisions. He oversaw over 900 employees and produced over 60 game titles including CAPCOM’s bestselling hits Mega Man, Street Fighter, Resident Evil, Dead Rising, Lost Planet and Onimusha. In 2010, he went on to found comcept Inc. and in 2013 the company successfully raised over $4 million in funding from 70,000 backers through Kickstarter for his newest project, the Mighty No. 9. Tokyo Journal Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie met with Keiji Inafune at Anime Expo 2014 in Los Angeles to find out more about this innovator.
Haitian-American model and actress Garcelle Beauvais has appeared on the big and small screen in productions like The Jamie Foxx Show, NYPD Blue, Wild Wild West with Will Smith and Flight with Denzel Washington. She began her career as a model for such clients as Avon, Mary Kay, Clairol, and Calvin Klein, and has modeled for Playboy. In 2014, at the age of 47, she was selected for People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful Women issue. Tokyo Journal Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie spoke with Garcelle about her career, charity work and new book.
