Want to visit a cool and pop country?

 Would you like to study in Japan? I took part in a PR event put on by Japanese universities geared toward UK students and talked about pop culture.

 In 2020, Tokyo will host the Olympics. Who should be at the opening ceremony? Toyota? Honda? Sony? That might work out, but they aren’t people. There aren’t any famous politicians. However, we could have Gundam, Son Goku, Pikachu, DeathNote, or Bleach. Japan is a country of pop culture.

My first trip overseas was to London in 1981. It was scary, and full of punks and motorcycle gangs. I was put in a horrible situation, but I was very stimulated, and when I returned to Japan I helped to form the band “Shonen Knife.” In the 90s Microsoft chose Shonen Knife after The Rolling Stones for use in their commercials, the band became world famous. Unfortunately, in the 20 years since then no other Japanese band has hit the world stage like that.

However, recently something strange has happened. Miku Hatsune was voted as the musician most people wanted to hear perform at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics. In the end, it didn’t happen and it was Paul McCartney who sang, but why did people vote for Miku Hatsune? She was born on the net of technology and culture. In the past 20 years Japan has transformed into a pop country.

Japanese pop culture isn’t just a matter of display. Take robots, for example. Inspired by manga and anime, living computers have been developed. Vending machines are another example. Japan is a vending machine paradise. One can purchase noodles, sushi, banana, eggs, and even underwear from a vending machine. These ubiquitous machines are also set to change digital media.

 “How about using media in the toilet, since this is a country with Washlets?” That was proposed, and SEGA made it a reality. Signage now competes for one’s attention while in the toilet. Industry is crazy enough to produce such a machine. That’s one reason that I recommend that you come to Japan to take part in a university-industry project.

 Adobe held a world-wide survey to determine the most creative countries. Japan was at #1 with 36%. The U.S. was #2 with 26%, and England was at 9%. In terms of creative cities, Tokyo received 30% of the vote, with New York at 21% and London at 8%.

 Please come to visit Tokyo!