Scandals are nothing new for AKB48 but Oshima Yuko is one of the more popular members so if photos of her with Eiji Wentz do appear, it may affect group more than expected. What’s happened in this group recently? The answer is way too much.

One of AKB48′s subgroups, Under Girls, recently released their PV for “Namida no Seesaw Game” on an episode of AKBingo. They went for a Soul Train concept from the 60s with retro costumes and fun choreography.

The two most popular girl groups in Japan are set to perform together on 24 Hour Television. Morning Musume and AKB48, both part of Hello!Project, will be singing a Studio Ghibli song medley including the theme song from My Neighbor, Totoro.

On the December 29th end of the year special, Waratte Iitomo! had a segment where famous Japanese celebrities did monomanes (impersonations) of top Japanese artists. Becky, comedians Audrey and Oriental Radio as well as Akimoto …

I can't even remember the last time I saw an ad for the USA-based convenience store 7-Eleven. I thought it was one of those places you're forced to go to on road trips when you're desperate for terrible coffee or a Slurpee cavity. And when I think about stepping into a 7-Eleven on Christmas,...

It appears -- knock on wood -- that all of our favorite musicians from Japan are safe, despite the recent record earthquake. Just to be sure, we hit up some of their Twitter pages. Like the rest of the world, the musicians are concerned about their loved ones, they're sending love and prayers, and

A listen to the French-sung “gypsy jazz” of Isabelle Geffroy, better known as “Zaz”, reveals smoky-voiced chanteuse whose fanciful blend of jazz-pop includes plenty...

Have you ever thought of the popular American Christmas song "Frosty the Snowman" as a haunting, goosebumpy tale? We hadn't either until we heard Malaysian folky Zee Avi's shivery version. The skeletal arrangement and the old-timey wail in Avi's voice give the ordinarily cheery story the feeling of

On the December 29th end of the year special, Waratte Iitomo! had a segment where famous Japanese celebrities did monomanes (impersonations) of top Japanese artists.

As a gift of appreciation to the Wonder Girls’ ever loyal fan-base, member Yenny recently dedicated a heartfelt studio recording of “Last Christmas” to Wonderfuls. What made her gift even more special was her choice of …

There are girl groups, boy groups, super groups…and then there is the 66-person monster group that is AKB48. Yes, you read that correctly -- 66!! AKB48 is an idol group hailing from Akihabara, the otaku central of Japan. Together, they are the biggest idol group in the world, created to enhance the

Can’t get enough of AKB48? Neither can we. Since the weekend can’t come early enough, we decided to give you guys a little treat to last you through. Right after the group's Webster Hall Show in New York last month, we stopped by and talked to AKB about what they thought about the...

The Yellow Dogs may seem right at home at a middle American burger joint, but it took them four long, arduous just years to get a greasy taste. The post-punk foursome risked arrest to rehearse in their home city, Tehran, where rock music is strictly banned. Still, they pressed on, eking out a

You’ve waited and waited, and finally it’s time to see your favorite J-pop star in MTV Iggy Presents: Jin Akanishi Live in NYC! But not yet! First, you get to go behind-the-scenes and watch him prepare for the show. Before singing his hottest pop singles, Jin had to greet a giant crowd that...

Meet Charley Paige, a New York-based pop star and Vikings fan. This casual cutie says she can’t really define her music in one word. After listening to her exclusive set and interview, you’ll be able to: incredible....

The bad boy of J-pop chart-toppers Kat-tun made his solo North American tour debut this year. Called the Yellow Gold Tour 3010, the show stopped in Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York. Watch highlights from every city in this tour highlight reel, and see if you can spot him

Few bands have a connection to their genre like our Artist of the Week, Morning Musuko. The world's first and only big band J-pop cover group may sound like a gimmick, but the New York/Japan 16-member monstrosity got their start in the most literary, poignant place in the universe: a near-deathbed.

Japanese pop superstar Jin Akanishi visited the US in November 2010 for his solo Yellow Gold Tour 3010, performing only 5 shows across the country. But there was a 6th show. A secret show only for MTV Iggy. In this 2nd segment of our exclusive live NYC taping with Jin, we see the full...

How cool are bands fronted by girls? ESG, Elastica, the Pretenders, Sleigh Bells, Shilpa Ray, Blondie... um, the Shaggs. Obviously bands fronted by women are infinitely superior to bands fronted by dudes, because of math: Women > Men What if that band, in addition to being fronted by a female,

Japanese pop-punk legends Shonen Knife have been rocking out with their insanely catchy, insanely happy songs about food and cute animals for thirty years. Back in the US for a tour in support of their latest release Free Time, the trio blasted Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory with power chords and

That's the plan, at least, for the studio Shohiku, which will be releasing the modestly-budgeted Ultraman Saga this March to commemorate 45 years of guys in silver suits putting their boots in rubber monsters' faces.

Lady Gaga will perform at the 10th MTV Video Music Awards Japan on June 25. The event is being dubbed the Video Music Aid Japan this year, and will raise awareness about, and money for, relief efforts to aid victims of the country's recent...