[tokyoxjapanxfan]

A lot of the popular acts now are extensions of other media as well, such as the huge rise in voice actors becoming hugely successful singing acts, as well as the continued success of “anime song” singers.

There’s also a kind of push for anonymity from the singers themselves. Animated videos instead of featuring the artist, hiding their face behind masks/hair, etc.

Japanese youth aren’t very vocal about current topics, so I wonder if it’s through their music choices that they’re expressing their uncertainty for their future?

15-20 years ago, while nowhere near the bubble, Japan was still doing quite well. In 2008 is when it all came to a full stop (Lehman Brothers), then 2011 earthquake, then 2020 pandemic. Essentially three huge economic crushing events in succession for the past three decades... it’s kinda crazy. Now they’ll have to also deal with the huge economic loss from the Olympics.

Female sexuality and empowerment is also quite repressed at the moment. There’s even an illustrated book popular in elementary schools and middle schools called Kawaii Rules (kawaii no rule) and it literally has portions in it that look like they could’ve been lifted from a 1950s housewife guide. Like how to “bend over properly” if you drop something as to not look “tired or defeated”, or how to “softly” recommend something if you disagree with an idea. I was shocked when I saw it being discussed on TV.