Insights 2015/Chpter 9 - インテグラル96の部屋

『Warner Music Japan CEO discusses J-pop interest overseas』
　Keiichi Ishizaka, chairman and chief executive officer of Warner Music Japan Inc., remembers watching such groups as The Beatles successfully promote their music abroad and wondering why Japanese music could not do the same.
　One of the main hurdles Japanese artists have to overcome abroad is the language barrier, but there is one current pop artist who has sailed over it.
　Her name is Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, and she is known for her Lady Gaga-esque attire and her hit songs, including "Tsukematsukeru." She has a contract with Warner Music Japan.
　She is only 20 years old and started her world tour this year in Belgium in February, and has since visited eight countries and territories in Europe, Asia and the United States. On her world tour, she performed on 18 stages in 13 cities, attracting an audience of about 28,000 in total.
　Ishizaka's Warner Music Japan sent its staff to these cities to promote her to the local media, which led to the success of the live concerts.
　Kyary Pamyu Pamyu always sings in Japanese, but the crowds at the overseas concerts are always excited to see her perform. She is never shy on stage either.
　"Because many people listen to her songs through YouTube, choruses of people singing along break out at the concert venues abroad," Ishizaka said.
　In Paris, some fans of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu mimicked her choreography at the concert venues. There was no language barrier there.
　"Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is a person who came directly out of Tokyo's Harajuku culture, and there is a growing　international interest in Japan's 'kawaii' culture," he said.
　At increasing number of people overseas have　become interested in aspects of Japanese pop culture, such as its fashion and animation, and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is serving as its global ambassador.
　"With the advent of the Internet, there is no difference in time and distance among countries anymore," Ishizaka said. "Now is a time when we can freely send information around the world, and it is the time to take advantage of the current interest in Japanese pop culture using that technology." Ishizaka hopes that future artists will follow in the footsteps of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and give outstanding performances overseas.