For the past three decades, Japan has been a major influence in the world of popular culture. This is especially true in music, where constant artistic evolution has kept their scene fresh. Some might even argue that there are many traces of it in other major music genres, from mainstream pop music, to classical stylings of the world.nnThis global influence is not restricted to music. Fashion, films and even food, have seen some Japanese flair and invention. One of the most stunning cultures has been that of Japanese Visual Kei. An intoxicating blend of music and fashion, the gothic sphere of Visual Kei has a hardcore following both in Japan and many western countries.nnFans of Visual Kei dress up in a mixture of loud or sinister looking outfits. They also deck themselves up in colorful makeup in various depictions of fantasy characters. It is not unlike the better known Japanese cosplay fashion, where followers often crowd Harajuku Bridge on Sunday afternoons.nnMajor wester music styles have not been spared. Rhythm and blues have seen a growing number of Japanese popular artistes who have adopted it as their own. Many of them have scored award winning singles and albums, while branching out into other fields like acting. There are also increasing collaboration between both Asian and Western artistes within the genre.nnOne of the most famous Japanese pop artistes has been Ayumi Hamasaki. Known more for her chameleon-like abilities in reinventing herself, Ayumi continues to hog the music charts with every new release. Her stage presence and elaborate concerts have been compared to Madonna\'s, but some critics point to the opposite.nnJapanese pop music owes a lot of its success to the fans. Without their fanatical support, the scene might not have survived and prospered. As it grew and financial resources became stronger, the artistes were able to branch out to overseas markets. This helped to spread the ever increasing influence that they now have in many other countries.nnDespite the almost blind devotion from fans at times, Japanese pop artistes rarely rest on their laurels. They have no qualms about fusing global music styles with their own. This results in fresh musical ideas that astound followers and fellow musicians worldwide.nnJapanese popular music culture will continue to grow from strength to strength. Change is always a byword of their scene, with much stress on being unique and contributing to artistic tendencies. With equal attention paid to mass consumerism, it will continue to generate favor at the same time, ensuring longevity.
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