Kawaii Lab main producer Misa Kimura, a former idol herself, is giving her performers more control over their image and sound.

Japanese idols embody an "ideal of perfection and innocence" that captivates a huge audience, but behind the smiles lies a much more complex reality.

Today’s pop idols, Ayumi Hamasaki and Namie Amuro, are in their 30s, while the members of Japan’s most famous “boy band” SMAP are approaching 40. On the small screen, Tokyo Broadcasting ...

The drugs arrest of Japanese pop idol has sparked a media fury, but Japan is still no nearer understanding why millions of its citizens get high.

Amina Du Jean aka Aminyan, Japan's first black idol, and one of the the boldest idols ever, retires with a 'killer' swan song, Seppuku. Will we ever get an encore?

Inside Japanese idol scene in Hong Kong: short skirts, anime costumes, devoted male fans – but it’s not about sex, they say ...

Culture Japanese junior idols and their adult male fans Aspiring pre-teen popstars in Japan, have a reported growing fanbase of lonely middle age men.

Japan’s idol industry is a unique beast of a moneymaker. The girls who succeed on this cut-throat career path are supported entirely by their fan base. While they may sing and dance, their live shows ...

Exploitative contracts that force young female Japanese pop stars to forego relationships and sex are at the heart of director Koji Fukada's latest film, which has premiered in Cannes.