All cultures have their own brand of music and sound, no matter where you go. In Japan, as in other countries, music has evolved to incorporate the trends in daily living. J-pop, the term used to refer to the popular music among the youth, has exploded beyond the geographical borders of the country. This genre has in fact become quite popular in other Asian countries.

The interesting thing about J-pop is that it has its roots firmly established in traditional Japanese music. This includes folk music. Incorporate elements of Western music (UK and the US) into the traditional sound and you get J-pop – an interesting and provoking juxtaposition.

Critics of this type of music claim that J-pop sounds too much like particular songs. Proponents of J-pop on the other hand defend the genre by saying that musical influences are naturally part of the new creation. On the surface, you might think that you have heard a J-pop song before. Try listening a little more closely, however, and you will find that though there are similar elements, the song is a totally unique piece of work on its own.