News On Japan

The Musician Who Changed Japan's Music Scene

TOKYO, Apr 11 (News On Japan) - The first-ever documentary film tracing the career of Kazuhiko Kato, a musician who led Japan's rock and pop music from its dawn and continues to influence generations, "Tonovan: Musician Kazuhiko Kato and His Era", is set to premiere nationwide.

The film, initiated by the sentiments Yukihiro Takahashi harbored towards Kato, explores the formation secrets of The Folk Crusaders, the first group to achieve a million hits in Japan, behind-the-scenes footage of Sadistic Mika Band's overseas performances and recording sessions, and anecdotes hidden within the "European Trilogy," considered a milestone in Japanese pop music, through interviews with related parties and rare archive footage, unraveling his achievements as a musician.

The trailer, opening with the Sadistic Mika Band's hit song "Time Machine ni Onegai," features snippets from interviews with diverse individuals across genres. Contributions from Chris Thomas (music producer) that significantly acknowledged the Sadistic Mika Band in the UK before Japan, members Yukihiro Takahashi (musician), Rei Ohara (bassist/composer/music producer), and others like Junko Koshino (designer), Shigeru Izumiya (singer-songwriter/actor), and Osamu Kitayama (lyricist/psychiatrist) share their assessments of Kato and discuss his allure.

Moreover, the trailer introduces a fraction of his innovative music that was ahead of its time, including The Folk Crusaders' first million-hit song "Kaette Kita Yopparai," and concludes with a strong message narrated as, "The masterpieces left by Tonovan will continue to be told and sung."

The narration for this trailer is by Hiroshi Takano, the arranger of the newly recorded "That Wonderful Love Once Again ~2024Ver." for this film, showcasing a work that reaches beyond music genres and illustrates Kato's appeal not only as a pioneering musician but also in his interactions across different fields.

Source: Oricon

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

A deepening labor shortage in Japan’s construction industry is beginning to impact homebuyers, with some experiencing delays of more than six months before construction can even begin due to a lack of available carpenters.

From April 1st, a new regulation took effect across Osaka Prefecture requiring all restaurants with a customer seating area larger than 30 square meters to become entirely smoke-free indoors—unless they install a designated smoking room. Establishments violating the rule face fines of up to 50,000 yen, while customers may be fined up to 30,000 yen.

The Imperial Household Agency launched an official YouTube channel on April 1st to introduce the activities of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

Japan's new fiscal year began on April 1st, with companies across the country holding entrance ceremonies to welcome new employees.

The Japanese government has released an updated damage forecast for a potential Nankai Trough megaquake, estimating that up to 298,000 people could die in the worst-case scenario. This projection reflects a slight reduction from the previous estimate of 332,000 deaths made 13 years ago.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Entertainment NEWS

Perfume delivered a dazzling dance performance at the NTT Pavilion, showcased in a groundbreaking 3D live experience at the Expo site.

The highly anticipated film Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid: The Lonely Dragon will open in theaters on June 27th.

Kyoto’s signature spring event, the "Miyako Odori," held its final rehearsal on March 31st ahead of its official opening. Performed by around 50 geiko and maiko at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater, the annual dance performance undergoes its final run-through, known as the "ozarae," before opening to the public on April 1st.

In this video, we take a look at the different types and subgenres of kabuki plays. (Kabuki In-Depth)

She Taught Me Serendipity is a poignant coming-of-age romance that explores how a chance meeting can change the trajectory of two young lives.

After finding her way into Vegapunk's laboratory, Bonney learns more about her father's past. (Netflix Anime)

Let's have a look at Kawatake Mokuami's masterpiece Gosho no Gorozō ("Gorozō the Gallant"), written for the actor Ichikawa Kodanji IV in 1864. (Kabuki In-Depth)

Introducing Netflix's must-see slate of anime, including films and series now streaming and coming in 2025. (Netflix Anime)