Episode 0.
Members of this vocal group originally came together with the same goal: use their refined vocals to leave a mark on the hearts of listeners. Their powerful vocals and exquisite melodies quickly found their way to the forefront of the Japanese music scene, and the group has since been featured in NHK’s prestigious Kohaku Uta-Gassen for two years straight (2017, 2018). Their fourth album "FLAVA", released in January 2019, came in at #1 on the Japanese domestic chart for the first time since their debut. Now, they are preparing for their most extensive nationwide tour yet, set to start this summer, showing the world that they are one of Japan’s most exciting female vocal groups.
AI performs "HAPPINESS" with a 100-member choir, plus the English version of her smash hit "Story" for viewers around the world! For our third regular broadcast, we welcome the charismatic singer, AI! In addition to her incredible vocals, her songs also feature powerful lyrics full of positive messages that can pick you up whenever you're feeling down. At the young age of 15, AI left her home prefecture of Kagoshima and flew to America to pursue a career in music, an incredibly difficult challenge that tested the singer's resilience. Our program's host, Shingo Murakami, dives into AI's "story" to learn about the life experiences that helped shape her ability to create such impactful music.
Showcasing Japanese music to the world! Featuring live performances by Hideaki Tokunaga. K-POP star JAEJOONG talks about his talent.
Tokyo's most exciting female artists take the stage! ASCA / Juice=Juice / Reol / Sayaka Yamamoto / Check This Out!
This episode features idol group Sakurazaka46. The group made a big splash in NHK's Kohaku Uta Gassen last year, appearing on the stage just 3 weeks after releasing their first single since being renamed. The group made their debut in 2016 as Keyakizaka46 and set themselves apart from the conventional "cutesy" idol groups with their assertive dance style, strong personalities and rebellious lyrics. 8 consecutive chart-topping hits made them into a cultural phenomenon. Then in 2020, the group decided to close that chapter of their lives and restart with a new name - Sakurazaka46. Since then, they have continued to evolve and broaden their forms of expression. The group is garnering international attention, and fans from around the world join the show to share their stories about how seeing Sakurazaka46 overcome obstacles and mature has empowered them. Hosts Murakami Shingo and Horan Chiaki delve into the personalities of the "Sakura 8" (Koike Minami, Kobayashi Yui, Sugai Yuka, Watanabe Risa, Tamura Hono, Fujiyoshi Karin, Morita Hikaru, Yamasaki Ten). The group also performs 3 of their latest singles, each with a different member taking the center position - this is unconventional for an idol group. Viewers will be able to enjoy uniquely different performances from each of the centers, Morita Hikaru, Fujiyoshi Karin and Yamasaki Ten. Tune in to see for yourself how Sakurazaka46 has evolved 5 years since their formation.
This episode features 2 artists to watch out for in 2021: MORISAKI WIN and WagakkiBand. They'll be performing their new hit songs for an international audience for the first time. MORISAKI WIN was born in Myanmar and jumped into the spotlight when he was cast for a major role in a Steven Spielberg movie. He won the Newcomer of the Year award in the 2020 Japan Academy Film Prize for his role in "Honeybees and Distant Thunder." He also played a leading role in "The Real Thing," which was screened in the Cannes Film Festival. After rising to stardom as an actor, he made his major debut as a singer last year and soared to the top of streaming charts. His first album is slated to come out soon. WagakkiBand made a splash this April with the theme song for a prime-time Japanese TV drama, which they released under the pseudonym "WGB." Their theme song for an upcoming animation turned out to be the fastest single to reach a million views. The band's distinct sound comes from their use of traditional Japanese instruments. Now, 8 years after their debut, their style has become more refined and is continuing to evolve. The program welcomes fans from around the world who passionately talk about the appeal of the 2 musicians from their own unique perspectives. Hosts Murakami Shingo and Horan Chiaki delve into their personalities in the talk session. MORISAKI WIN also shares his thoughts about the current turmoil in Myanmar and sings a piece dedicated to his country and WagakkiBand will be performing their drama and anime theme songs, all for the first time on TV. Don't miss it!
This episode features Aoi Shouta and Uesaka Sumire, 2 artists from the uniquely Japanese genre of voice actor-artists. The pair have been in the international spotlight in 2021 and it will be their first time performing on a music program together! Voice actor Aoi Shouta made his debut as a voice actor in 2011 and has since appeared in over 200 animations. Earning acclaim for versatile performances, he has even voiced female characters
This episode focuses on 2 of the best songs that emerged in the first half of 2021: "Wasurena" by Awesome City Club and "Mayonaka no Door - stay with me" by Matsubara Miki. The program explores the reasons why these 2 songs are making waves in Japan and around the world. Awesome City Club got their big break with "Wasurena." The song was released in February and it was streamed over 100 million times in just 3 months, making Awesome City Club the band to watch out for this year. The song was originally inspired by the movie "I Fell in Love Like a Flower Bouquet" starring Suda Masaki and Arimura Kasumi, and rose to fame for its heartrending lyrics. "Mayonaka no Door - stay with me" was originally released in 1979 by the late Matsubara Miki when she was 19. The song has been a city pop classic for over 40 years and now it is making a comeback. City pop is a genre that developed in Japan from the late 1970s to the 1980s. It features urban sounds with Western beats and melodies with a Japanese touch. Hip-hop and R&B took over the mainstream over the years and fans only rediscovered city pop on the internet in recent times. "Mayonaka no Door - stay with me" got newfound fame on the international stage and is now being reintroduced to Japan. Ms.OOJA's cover of the song is featured on the program. Hosts Murakami Shingo and Horan Chiaki talk with the members of Awesome City Club and an international YouTuber who released a cover of "Mayonaka no Door - stay with me" to find out what these 2 tracks have in common. Fans from overseas share how the songs evoke nostalgia, even though they don't understand the lyrics and how they can feel Tokyo's bubble era energy. Don't miss the chance to get a taste of Tokyo through these 2 hits!
This episode features 2 artists known for creating tracks that are going viral around the world. Their difference in age, aesthetic and musical style highlight how diverse J-POP is today.
This episode features L'Arc-en-Ciel, a legendary rock band celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. They perform their latest songs and look back at the last 3 decades.
This episode features music from the popular animation Violet Evergarden, welcoming singers TRUE and Chihara Minori. Expect heartwarming and inspiring performances.
The first episode of 2022 takes a deep dive into the world of Japanese music. Thanks to the Internet, J-POP now has an ever-growing fanbase. So, which artists have they been eyeing recently? This episode of SONGS OF TOKYO surveys fans from all over the world to find out who they are looking forward to listening to in 2022. Expect plenty of surprising answers and new info! Take a comprehensive look at J-POP straight from the frontlines on SONGS OF TOKYO! Who are the fan favorites for this year? What kind of music are international J-POP fans looking forward to in 2022? To find out, we interviewed fans from all over the world via the Internet, and also invited some who are currently living in Japan to our studio. Seven of them are people who moved to Japan because they love J-POP so much! Hosts Murakami Shingo and Horan Chiaki are moved by their passion as they share their favorite artists and some unexpected knowledge. Learn more about these ardent fans on the episode!
This episode features singer-songwriter milet. - Making a splash at the Olympic closing ceremony - Singer-songwriter milet made a splash in the international scene when she sang "Hymne a l'amour" in both Japanese and French in the closing ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Now, with the 2022 Beijing Olympics underway, her song "Fly High" has been selected as NHK's winter sports theme song. This winter, milet's voice has been taking Japan by storm. - Unique and enchanting vocals - milet's unique and enchanting voice has captured the hearts of international fans. She first came into the global spotlight when her song "inside you," sung with only an acoustic guitar in the background, was posted on the popular music site THE FIRST TAKE, the comments section was packed with praise. - A special performance for international fans - The songstress treats her fans to a special performance on the show. She sang acoustic versions of 2 songs from the popular anime "Fate/Grand Order - Absolute
In this episode, Anisongs take center stage. Anime is an internationally-beloved facet of Japanese pop culture, and Anisong musicians have been making a splash abroad. We talk to listeners to find out what tracks and artists are currently capturing their hearts, and what they're looking forward to listening to in 2022. Expect some new and surprising answers! Join us in the frontlines of anime music! - Anisong fan favorites for 2022 - What kind of music will make a splash in 2022? To find out, we ask international fans online and in the studio about their favorite Anisongs. Their keen ears and unrivaled enthusiasm take hosts Murakami Shingo and Horan Chiaki by surprise. Tune into find out who the fans are rooting for! - Anisong legend FLOW takes the stage - Appearing as guest artist is the legendary group FLOW. They are beloved around the world for "GO!!!," the theme song for the anime "NARUTO". The members talk about how passionate international Anisong fans are and thrill the visito
As we jump into our fourth year of regular broadcast, we invite CHAI, the four-piece band that has been making a splash on American media this spring. - Looking back at CHAI's North American tour - Dressed in fun pink costumes, CHAI is a four-piece band that has risen to stardom with innovative sounds and the theme of NEO kawaii. They were accompanied by Mitski as the opening act in their North American tour this year, with a whopping 29 shows in 42 days. The tour ended with a bang, leaving fans in the US with a lasting impression. So, what were their impressions of the US this spring? How did they feel about playing in front of the American audience? The members of CHAI open up about their tour and a variety of other topics, like the current role of girl bands and the music industry in the pandemic. Tune in to SONGS OF TOKYO to find out what makes CHAI so appealing. - No costumes?! The stolen trailer incident - It turns out that CHAI's trailer was stolen during their tour!
- A Thai superstar's views on J-POP and first collab with Awesome City Club - The Japanese city pop boom has been sweeping the world in the past few years. Making waves in mainland Asia, city pop has stirred even more interest in J-POP.
Japan is a powerhouse for girl groups. This episode casts a spotlight on 2 very different groups that are creating a buzz around the world: ATARASHII GAKKO! and NEMOPHILA. Find out what makes them appeal to international fans and delve into their novel styles of expression.
This episode features Travis Japan, a group that recently made their worldwide debut with a major record label. The members of Travis Japan have been training in Los Angeles since March. They participated in the World of Dance Championships, coming out in 4th place in the team category. They also made a splash on the TV show "America's Got Talent." On the program, the members of Travis Japan open up about their time in the United States and showcase their brilliant dance moves with three songs, including their debut single "JUST DANCE!" They also receive valuable advice from their fellow idol, MC Murakami Shingo. Don't miss it!