J-pop is a shortened form of the word Japanese pop.  The term J-pop came into existence in the 1990s, in response to the spread of Japanese pop culture, music and entertainment throughout eastern and southeastern Asia.  J-pop is a familar and prominent feature of Japanese entertainment.  TV commericials, movies and video games often contain the most up-to-date and popular pop songs.  J-pop also has a huge influence upon the fashion and cosmetic industries.  It’s all over the place and virtually difficult to ignore.

One of the common features of J-pop include flamboyant outfits and over the top hair and makeup.  I would describe it as the type of fashion that I would never be caught dead wearing, or the type of fashion that will make you a social outcast very quickly in suburban America.  Usually female artists fall in one of the three categories.  Either you’re very cute, very sexy, or very serious.  Basically there’s a genre for everyone and for every age.

Some of the most successful and visible J-pop artists happen to be female solo artists like  Ayumi Hamazaki (あゆみ 浜崎).  I would compare Ayumi (あゆみ) to the Britney Spears of the J-pop industry, minus the mental mess.  Though only twenty-five years old, Hikaru Utada (ヒカル 宇多田) has been in the J-pop scene for ten years.  She started her career with dance tracks then moved to more mature, slow tempo ballad type songs.  I would say she’s the Mariah Carey of Japan, minus the vocal range.

Remember boy bands like the Backstreet Boys and N’sync?  Well in Japan the boy band phrase is still going strong and very much in demand -almost to a fanical/stalker-need-to-check-in-hospital type degree.  Johnny’s Jimusho (ジャニーズ事務所) is a talent agency that holds the undisputed title in churning out boy bands like butter is churned out into the market.  Boy bands like SMAP are still popular, despite the fact that some of the members are in their thirties.

Of course, there are many more singers/boy bands that I haven’t discussed, but are nonetheless plenty popular in the J-pop scene.  Honestly, there’s too many to list.  One thing is clear, J-pop’s popularity isn’t going to fade away any time soon.  Maybe you’re not a J-pop fan.  Even so, you’ve probably heard about one or two songs or singers from the J-pop scene.  That just goes to show, J-pop is everywhere, get used it!