Strange Fruits - The J-Pop Industry

[Mulboyne]

A rare picture of Johnny Kitagawa and a link to a long piece from the August Observer Music Monthly on the success of Hello Project and Johnny's Jimusho
J-Pop's dream factory

Welcome to Japan's bizarre music industry, where the iron rules governing the production line of boy and girl bands would impress even Britain's biggest Svengali. Chris Campion meets the groups, managers and fans - and tracks down the kingpin who for 40 years has held a nation's lucrative pop world in his grasp...the rest...

The article also had a sidebar on Utada Hikaru (not on the website) entitled "Meet The Biggest Pop Star You've Never Heard of..."

"I don't think an artist would be forgiven in America for being normal...but in Japan it's the opposite. There's no room for being a 'rock star'. You have to be a nice person. And if people see you on TV and think you're normal, they tend to like you more". Utada has none of the airs and graces of someone who has sold more than 20 million records...in conversation, she comes across as a bit of a brainbox...She likes to set herself apart from the idol factory..."It's all about service, service, service. It's almost too much hospitality. I don't really do that"...Utada has even talked of retiring by the time she reaches 28. "I'd like to be a producer eventually. When I'm 40, I'd like to have a bunch of boys around me. I'll call myself Jenny's. Jenny's Entertainment!"

[dimwit]

Utada has even talked of retiring by the time she reaches 28. "I'd like to be a producer eventually. When I'm 40, I'd like to have a bunch of boys around me. I'll call myself Jenny's. Jenny's Entertainment!"

If she really wants to be like Johny shouldn't she surround herself with young girls?

[dingosatemybaby]

One of many great quotes from a surprisingly extensive article:

"'(Kitagawa)'s one of the pioneers of the entertainment business in Japan,' says Teruzane Utada, father and manager of pop star Hikaru Utada. 'But he only handles boys, and that's very special.'"

[Mulboyne]

Observer: The 10 (nuttiest) producers

You don't have to be a bloody-minded, arrogant, oddball loner to become a hit-maker. But it helps...
....10. Tsunku
A Lolita fetish coupled with a Pygmalion complex has compelled odd-looking J-pop producer Tsunku to create an exhaustive musical cult around the inner lives of teenage girls for the delectation of randy Japanese salarymen. Beginning with the formation of Morning Musume in 1997, the girl group impresario has written and produced hundreds of songs for numerous solo singers and sub-groups.

Interesting piece from Marky at Neomarxisme on a recent comment Tsunku made about starting Morning Musuko.

November 16, 2005: Mourning Musuko
Recently, the world's least musical superproducer Tsunku (of Sharan Q and Morning Musume fame) appeared on a talk show in the town hall of his native Osaka and stated that he is interested in putting together a "Morning Musuko" group comprised of 16-22 year old "goodlooking" boys. He did not make it sound like the audition and production process was already underway, and it's unclear whether this is anything more than idle banter. Because seriously pursuing a "Mo-Musuko" project is risking complete and utter civil war in the music industry...more...

[Greener]

One of many great quotes from a surprisingly extensive article:

"'(Kitagawa)'s one of the pioneers of the entertainment business in Japan,' says Teruzane Utada, father and manager of pop star Hikaru Utada. 'But he only handles boys, and that's very special.'"

I guess he really is Easy Breezy cuz she's Japanesy...

[Greener]

November 16, 2005: Mourning Musuko
Recently, the world's least musical superproducer Tsunku (of Sharan Q and Morning Musume fame) appeared on a talk show in the town hall of his native Osaka and stated that he is interested in putting together a "Morning Musuko" group comprised of 16-22 year old "goodlooking" boys. He did not make it sound like the audition and production process was already underway, and it's unclear whether this is anything more than idle banter. Because seriously pursuing a "Mo-Musuko" project is risking complete and utter civil war in the music industry...more...

A boyband version of MoMu couldn't work because women don't have the same fetish for young boys that men seem to have for young girls here. Also, Morning Musume's day seems to have clearly passed with all of their stuff from CD's to videos to photobooks and other assorted MoMu crap now in more bargain bins and 100yen shops than anywhere else these days here. [Maki Goto leaving killed the group's spark and Ai Kago leaving took what was left of their charm. Now they are just a bunch of cute girls with no personality or soul.]

Another Onyanko/Musume will come along eventually, it always does, but it won't be a boyband of 10+ members. Stick to the girls Tsunku.

[gkanai]

That is one ugly motherfcuker (Johnny.)

[Mulboyne]

[Mulboyne]

First official photo of Johnny Kitagawa:



Source

[dimwit]

First official photo of Johnny Kitagawa:



Source

Has that Picture of Dorian Gray look about him. Doesn't he?

[IparryU]

One of many great quotes from a surprisingly extensive article:

"'(Kitagawa)'s one of the pioneers of the entertainment business in Japan,' says Teruzane Utada, father and manager of pop star Hikaru Utada. 'But he only handles boys, and that's very special.'"

so this came to light as to why he only "handled" boys... yar...

[Greji]

so this came to light as to why he only "handled" boys... yar...

Well, nobody's perfect.....

[matsuki]

Well, nobody's perfect.....

We know you handle more than boys but can we call you "very special" Greji?

[canman]

So this is the pedofile that is responsible for singlehandedly running, controlling and ruining Japanese music. Maybe he has a bit of Keyser Soze in him or something. He does look the part though doesn't he.

[matsuki]

So this is the pedofile that is responsible for singlehandedly running, controlling and ruining Japanese music. Maybe he has a bit of Keyser Soze in him or something. He does look the part though doesn't he.

LOL, if not him, it would have been someone else. That shits ripe in so many areas here.

[Mike Oxlong]

CIA turned our celebrities into ‘sissy pants’, says Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

...According to The Times, the report, called “Do you know how hard the CIA is working?” condemns the rise of “feminine male artists” and pinpoints their origins to Johnny & Associates, a talent agency started by American-born Japanese businessman Johnny Kitagawa. It claims that Kitagawa colluded with the CIA to “weaken the male temperament of Japanese society,” which led to the effeminization of celebrities across Asia, spreading to China...

https://radiichina.com/cia-feminine-celebrities-china/

[matsuki]

Recently I had a J-girl go on and on about how natto, soy milk, tofu, etc. is loaded with female hormones and how that is why Japanese men are so feminine. She took me seriously when I asked if that's why they seem to love kancho'ing each other from such a young age?

[Buraku]

Some more Weinstein Epstein type news

Niece of J-Pop mogul Johnny Kitagawa should resign over abuse allegations, panel says

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/ ... panel-says

[matsuki]

Some more Weinstein Epstein type news

Niece of J-Pop mogul Johnny Kitagawa should resign over abuse allegations, panel says

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/ ... panel-says

Lots of regrettable, teeth sucking, bowing, head of the monster is replaced, etc. etc. Sounds mostly meaningless...doubt the niece had any involvement in the abuse and unless she was actively covering it up, hard to blame her for trying to focus on business rather than digging up the past unless there are active complaints that need addressing. (which sounds like what she did?) At the end of the day, I care more about the victims being made whole. Apologies, covering much needed therapy, compensation, etc.