Japanese Popular Music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Japanese Popular Music - Essay Example ers, who though being naturally conversant with and affiliated to the ancient Japanese musical traditions, were really open minded towards the influences extended by the American, British and European artists. Hence, J-Pop is not steel jacketed or a rigidly monolithic entity, but a pliable and variegated concept that comprises of all the current genres of Western music that one can think of. Therefore, it is not a surprise that J-Pop is oft blamed of pirating beats and lyrics from the Western musical scene (Japanese Lifestyle, 2009).There is no denying the fact that the primary source of inspiration for J-Pop is Western pop music. However, it will be grossly simplistic to say that J-Pop is merely a pirated Japanese version of the original Western pop compositions. The motivation for the assimilation of American and British pop influences is enshrined within the history of modern Japan. As Japan became respective to the foreign ideas and influences in a post II World War scenario, it was natural and inevitable for its fledgling pop culture to be colored by the more virile Western music scene. Hence, this is a reality that most of the J-Pop artists look towards the West for new ideas and inspiration. Still, the real forte of J-Pop is its unique ability of subjecting the Western compositions to a distinctly local influence that alters them conspicuously, thereby giving them a very discernable Japanese pop flavor (Japanese Lifestyle, 2009). Thus, the Western audiences are though often able to identify the sources of motivation of some J-Pop compositions, still they simply could not resist appreciating the implicit uniqueness and ingenuity of J-Pop. In fact, it was J-Wave, a local FM radio station that christened this distinctly Western version of the... Just a decade ago, a majority of the J-Pop artists looked towards Western markets to realize their ambition of becoming an overseas success. Despite enjoying a close cultural affinity with the neighboring Asian countries, the J-Pop artists were reluctant to foray into the Asian climes owing to fears of large-scale piracy . Yet, it is a fact that a majority of the Asian masses being unable to identify with Western songs and compositions are more receptive and open to J-Pop. Things are fast changing and Japanese music companies are responding to this propitious opportunity by resorting to aggressive marketing in Asian countries. At present, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea happen to be some of the largest markets of J-Pop outside Japan. The advent of the internet has further added to the international appeal of J-Pop. With the works of celebrated J-Pop artists available on online retail stores, the musical side of the Japanese popular culture is expected to be further globalized. As J -Pop is getting international, even Western audience are succumbing to its appeal, as it is really ease to respond to the essence of J-Pop compositions even if one does not understand the lyrics. J-Pop happens to be an essentially Asian music genre that reluctantly began as an outcome of the political and cultural constraints, limitations and opportunities that faced the post War Japan. An aesthetic trend, which started with an urge to appeal to the taste of the victorious Western audience, very soon ended up having a distinct identity of its own. All that was needed was a cosmopolitan platform and astute marketing possibilities that were facilitated by the TV and the internet. Today J-Pop is an art form whose sway is destined to proceed beyond Asian markets to win the loyalty and fan following of the Western masses.