In 1999, five teenagers were mocked at their debut on a cruise ship off Hawaii. From a 970,000-copy debut single to a career-low 140,000, free ticket giveaways, and 1% TV ratings — this is how ARASHI survived their darkest years. Part 1 of a 5-part series.

Japan's iconic idol group Arashi has announced "Five," their first new song in five years, dropping digitally on March 4, 2026. Named after the unbroken bond of all five members, the farewell single arrives just before their final dome tour "We are ARASHI." Here's how Japanese and international fans are reacting to this emotional milestone.

Number_i's new single "3XL," produced by member Sho Hirano, debuted at No.1 on Billboard Japan Hot 100 with 75,000+ downloads in its first week. The same week, XG's debut album topped the album chart—a landmark moment for Japan-based artists dominating the charts simultaneously.

XG's first full album 'THE CORE - 核' has topped the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart. With Apple Music chart entries in 68 countries, a Coachella appearance, and a 400,000-attendance world tour, this seven-member all-Japanese group is redefining global pop music. Here's the story behind their rise and what makes this album a landmark moment for "X-POP."

Kitani Tatsuya, known for Jujutsu Kaisen's "Ao no Sumika," teams up with BABYMETAL—the first Japanese act signed to Capitol Records—for a groundbreaking collaboration. "Kasuka na Hana," the opening theme for Hell's Paradise Season 2, gets a CD release on March 11, 2026. Discover how this unexpected fusion of J-Pop, metal, and anime is resonating with fans worldwide.

Japan's vinyl record production has surged from just 100,000 units in 2009 to 3.15 million in 2024 — a 30x V-shaped recovery. In an age of streaming dominance, why are analog records thriving? Discover the "tactile experience" boom explained by Toyo Kasei, Japan's veteran record manufacturer, and how Gen Z is driving a global analog revival.

Konan Women's University launches a new Faculty of Sociology in April 2026 that takes "oshi-katsu" (supporting your favorite idol/character) seriously as academic research. With Japan's fan economy now worth $23 billion, discover how this university is bridging the gap between pop culture passion and rigorous social science.