2020: The Year of Japanese Electronic Music

As we move into 2020, it’s clear that Japanese electronic music is having a moment. From the rise of artists like Yaeji and Rina Sawayama to the popularity of labels like J-Pop Go, there’s a lot to be excited about. So, what can we expect from the year ahead?

The Birth of Japanese Electronic Music

The first electronic music in Japan

In the early 20th century, Japanese composers began experimenting with new ways to create music. Some of these composers, such as Toshi Ichiyanagi and Takeshi Fujii, were influenced by Western music and used traditional instruments to create works that blended Japanese and Western styles. Others, such as Akira Ifukube and Toshio Hosokawa, were more interested in creating entirely new sounds. These composers began to use new technologies, such as electronic amplification, to create works that were unlike anything that had been heard before.

The first electronic music in Japan was created in the late 1920s by Teizo Matsumura. Matsumura was a cellist who had studied Western classical music in Tokyo. He was also interested in physics and electronics, and he used his knowledge of these subjects to build electronic musical instruments. Matsumura’s instruments included a theremin, which he called a “ghost fiddle,” and a device that he called a “light harp.” He also built an electronic version of the Japanese string instrument, the koto.

Matsumura’s instruments were unique, but they were not widely known outside of Japan. In the 1950s, however, several Japanese composers began to experiment with Western-style electronic music. These composers included Isao Tomita, Mamoru Fujieda, Toshio Hosokawa, and Yasunori Mitsuda. They used analog synthesizers to create works that sounded very different from anything that had been heard before.

Today, Japanese electronic music is enjoyed by people all over the world. Some of the most popular Japanese electronic musicians include Ken Ishii, Susumu Hirasawa, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. These artists have helped to shape the sound of modern electronic music and have influenced generations of musicians who came after them.

The first electronic music festivals in Japan

The first electronic music festivals in Japan were held in the late 1970s and early 1980s. These festivals were inspired by international events such as the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Berlin Love Parade.

The first Japanese electronic music festival was held in Osaka in 1978. This festival featured a wide range of local and international artists, including Kraftwerk, Yellow Magic Orchestra, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. The event was a huge success, attracting over 200,000 people.

Following the success of the Osaka festival, a similar event was held in Tokyo in 1979. This event featured many of the same artists, as well as some new ones, such as Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash. Again, the event was a huge success, attracting over 300,000 people.

The early 1980s saw the birth of two more major electronic music festivals in Japan: the Fuji Rock Festival and the Sapporo Snow Festival. The Fuji Rock Festival is still going strong today, while the Sapporo Snow Festival has become one of the biggest winter music events in Japan.

The Rise of Japanese Electronic Music

In recent years, Japanese electronic music has been on the rise, with more and more artists gainings international recognition. 2020 is shaping up to be the year of Japanese electronic music, with a number of highly anticipated albums and projects set to be released. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the most exciting Japanese electronic music releases of 2020.

The popularity of Japanese electronic music

Since the 1990s, Japanese electronic music has been gaining in popularity both inside and outside of Japan. In recent years, the rise of digital streaming services has made it easier than ever for fans to discover and enjoy this unique genre of music.

Now, in 2020, Japanese electronic music is more popular than ever before. Thanks to the hard work of dedicated artists and labels, the genre is finally starting to get the mainstream attention it deserves.

This year is shaping up to be a big one for Japanese electronic music. Here are just a few of the most highly-anticipated releases that fans can look forward to:

1. Aoki Takamasa – “RV8”
2. Takkyu Ishino – “TECHNODELIC”
3. Ki/oon Music – “BURNING UP!”
4. Capsule – “WORLD IS MINE”
5. Cornelius – “Mellow Waves”

The influence of Japanese electronic music

The history of electronic music is often told as the story of artists from the West — particularly from North America and Europe — experimenting with new technology to create innovative sounds. But in recent years, Japanese electronic musicians have been increasingly making their mark on the global music scene, with a distinctly Japanese take on electronic music that is winning fans all over the world.

Japanese electronic music has its roots in the country’s rich history of traditional music, as well as in the experimental spirit of its avant-garde art scene. In the 1960s and 1970s, Japanese musicians began experimenting with Western electronic instruments like synthesizers and drum machines, often incorporating them into traditional Japanese music. This new style of music, known as “Japanoise,” quickly gained a following both at home and abroad.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Japanese dance music began to gain popularity around the world, thanks in part to the rise of anime and video game culture. Artists like Yellow Magic Orchestra and Ken Ishii helped to pioneer this new sound, which combined elements of pop, disco, techno, and house. By the 2000s, Japanese electronic music had become truly global, with artists like Hikaru Utada and Skrillex finding success both in Japan and overseas.

Today, Japanese electronic music is more popular than ever before. In recent years, a new generation of artists has continued to push the boundaries of what is possible with electronic sound, creating innovative new styles that are winning fans all over the world.

The Future of Japanese Electronic Music

2020 has been a big year for Japanese electronic music. With the release of several highly-anticipated albums and the rise of a new generation of producers, the future of Japanese electronic music is looking bright. In this article, we’ll take a look at the state of Japanese electronic music and some of the artists to watch out for in the coming years.

The direction of Japanese electronic music

In recent years, the popularity of electronic dance music (EDM) has increased dramatically worldwide. And in 2020, it’s safe to say that Japan is no exception. In fact, the country has seen a resurgence in the genre, with a new crop of young producers and DJs leading the charge.

So what does the future hold for Japanese electronic music?

For starters, we can expect to see more collaboration between Japanese and international artists. This is already happening to some extent, with a number of Japanese producers remixing tracks by Western artists such as Rihanna and David Guetta. But we’re likely to see even more of this in the coming years, as Japanese artists look to build on their growing reputation abroad.

We can also expect to see more experimentalism in Japanese electronic music. As the genre becomes more popular in the country, artists are likely to push boundaries and explore new sounds and styles. This could lead to some interesting and innovative new music being created.

Finally, we can expect electronic music to continue to grow in popularity in Japan. With more and more people getting into the genre, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t continue to go from strength to strength in the country.

The potential of Japanese electronic music

In recent years, Japanese electronic music has started to gain international attention. In particular, the genre known as “future bass” has been increasingly popular among young people in the West. While western electronic music tends to be focused on the club scene, Japanese electronic music often tells a story or creates a unique atmosphere. This approach has the potential to appeal to a wider range of listeners, and many commentators believe that Japanese electronic music will continue to grow in popularity in the years to come.