Akiko Wada, interviewed at Kinokuniya by Store Manager John Fuller
By Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02)
If you’ve ever watched TV in Japan on New Year’s Eve, chances are you’ve seen Akiko Wada. One of Japan’s most celebrated stars, the singer and entertainment personality has made over 20 appearances on the annual Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red-White Song Contest). To celebrate her 40th year in show business, the “Female Emperor” performed a landmark one-night-only concert, Power & Soul, at Harlem’s renowned Apollo Theater on September 29.
Born in Osaka, the headstrong Wada made her recording debut in 1968, shortly after dropping out of high school at age 17. The following year, she broke big with “Doushaburi no Ame no Naka de” (In the Pouring Rain), with pop stardom and numerous variety show hosting gigs to follow. With her tall, stocky build and direct nature, Wada is something of an anomaly in the Japanese entertainment world, where women are less encouraged to speak their mind or even think about criticizing their peers.
Three days before the Apollo date, Wada held court at a press event in Midtown’s Kinokuniya Books. Hosted by store manager John Fuller, the conference (conducted entirely in Japanese) kicked off with an a cappella performance of “Amazing Grace” from American vocal trio The Wild Women, who also opened Wada’s concert.
The superstar then emerged from the back to thunderous applause, fielding questions from Fuller and the Japanese media. She gushed about New York, which she’s visited eight times, and explained that she hand-picked the Apollo over venues like Carnegie Hall because of the “sacred place”‘s ties to the R&B acts that inspired her growing up.
Other questions focused on her rehearsal of English-language songs Read More
Job Listing: Write Blog Entries About Japanese/Korean/Chinese Idols
Celebrity, Jobs, Music, Translating/Interpreting, Writers 
Comments Off on Job Listing: Write Blog Entries About Japanese/Korean/Chinese Idols
From Craigslist Tokyo:
Japanese / Korean / Chinese Stars / Idols writer / blogger WANTED (Tokyo, Japan)
Reply to: job-926543896@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-11-20, 2:57PM JT
Looking for bloggers / writers who likes to write about Japanese/Asian TV Stars, Actors, Musicians and Idols. Easy and fun job. Very flexible time (you can write the blog post ANYTIME you want. 10pm, 2am no problem. No stress.
日本の芸能人、アイドル、歌手などの事をブログ投稿 Read More
New JET Alumni Music Group
Audio, Japan Trends, JETAA Chapters, Music, Networking, Uncategorized Comments Off on New JET Alumni Music Group
Adren Hart has started a new Google Group for JET alumni (and Friends of JET) who are interested in or have any connection to music, musical events, etc. The group is called JETAA Ongaku Connection and it’s goal is to help connect JET alums who are interested in going to music events, following Japanese bands, playing music and anything esle having to do with music. A great way to stay connected with the JET alumni network.
http://groups.google.com/group/jetaa-ongaku-connection
Go to the link above to sign up. (FYI, you’ll need to have (or create) a google or gmail account to sign up for a google group.)
La-la-la-la-la O-ba-ma & Japanese Songwriting
Audio, Celebrity, Humor, Japan Trends, Music, Uncategorized, Video Comments Off on La-la-la-la-la O-ba-ma & Japanese Songwriting
Obama-shi, Japan is so happy about the US election, they’ve come up with a song and video about it. Meanwhile, have you ever written a song in Japanese (or partly in Japanese)? Let me know and I’ll post it, or perhaps we can collaborate with other JET alums to come up with a tune and/or record it. Just email me at stevenwaseda at-mark jetwit dotto com.
Job: 1/2 Time Program Coordinator at Institute for Medieval Japanese Studies, Columbia U.
Career, Graduate School, Jobs, Music Comments Off on Job: 1/2 Time Program Coordinator at Institute for Medieval Japanese Studies, Columbia U.
They are seeking a half-time Program Coordinator to work aproximately 20 hours per week. Salary is commensurate with experience. The position is open immediately. Training will be provided.
See below for more details about the position. Read More
Do like to write songs? Do you know some Japanese? Here’s your chance to come up with a Japanese country song, i.e., a U.S.-style country song in Japanese (or at least half in Japanese). Send in your lyrics to me at stevenwaseda [at] jetwit.com. We’ll worry about the tune later (unless you also come up with a tune and a recording and want to share that too.) If it’s even half decent, I’ll publish it here, at which time other readers can offer an appropriate tune, new lyrics or try to record a version of the song. This will be an ongoing contest with no deadline. Multiple submissions welcome!
This idea, btw, was inspired by a Chinese country music video sent to me by my wife (a high school Chinese teacher). It is not only hilarious, but also has amazing choreography, costumes and… I can’t even begin to explain it. Just watch.
