NHK's Close-Up Gendai Examines Global Spread of J-Pop With Takanaka and FRUITS ZIPPER
The NHK feature signals a mainstream Japanese media acknowledgment of how streaming and global niche markets are reshaping the country's music industry, from 70s fusion to Reiwa-era idol groups.
Reporting from 1 sources: KAI-YOU.
NHK's news program 'Close-Up Gendai' will air a special feature on J-Pop's global reach on June 9, interviewing guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka, who is on a 2026 world tour, and covering FRUITS ZIPPER and CUTIE STREET. Music critic Shigenori Shiba will appear in the studio.
The NHK news program 'Close-Up Gendai' will air a special feature on J-Pop's international expansion on June 9 at 19:30. The episode, titled 'From 70s Songs to Reiwa Idols: New J-POP Trends,' will include a studio appearance by music critic Shigenori Shiba, author of 'The Collapse of Hits' and 'The Revival of Hits.'
The program will cover guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka, whose fusion work with the Sadistic Mika Band has found a new audience overseas. Takanaka is currently on a 2026 world tour covering eight cities including London, New York, and Sydney. The feature will also follow FRUITS ZIPPER's performance at National Yoyogi Stadium First Gymnasium and CUTIE STREET's music video shoot for their viral hit 'Kawaii dake ja Dame desu ka?,' which has gained traction in South Korea.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.