J-pop

music

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

J-pop, or Japanese pop music, is a broad category that encompasses modern popular music from Japan. It has been heavily influenced by Western genres like jazz, rock, and blues, with many songs blending Japanese and Western styles. While Western music is ubiquitous, traditional Japanese music also continues to exist and evolve.123

Karaoke, invented in Japan in the early 1970s, is a popular form of nightlife entertainment. Contemporary Japanese popular culture, including music, is largely urban and transmitted through mass media concentrated in Tokyo.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Puffy AmiYumi
…and later helped to establish J-pop in the Western world. The group’s two lead singers—Ami Onuki (b. September 18, 1973, Tokyo, Japan) and Yumi Yoshimura (b. January 30, 1975, Osaka, Japan)—captured their audiences through their well-blended voices, their intelligent lyrics and novel musical arrangements, and their vibrant, youthful stage presence.
Read More
…and later helped to establish J-pop in the Western world. The group’s two lead singers—Ami Onuki (b. September 18, 1973, Tokyo, Japan) and Yumi Yoshimura (b. January 30, 1975, Osaka, Japan)—captured their audiences through their well-blended voices, their intelligent lyrics and novel musical arrangements, and their vibrant, youthful stage presence.
Read More