A thought-provoking new documentary by Kyoto Miyake examines gender, social and cultural issues in Japan’s idol phenomenon The objectification and exploitation of young women is not confined to one ...

Discover What’s Streaming On: The film begins with glow sticks waving in the air as we’re told, “This isn’t a fad. It’s a religion.” A parade of young female pop singers prance about on stage, like ...

How much would you pay for one minute of conversation with a 14-year-old girl? Kyoko Miyake’s unflinching new documentary about the shady transactions that surround Japanese pop stardom is available ...

While it’s easy to think that the United States has cornered the market on the commoditization of young girls for the male gaze, in many ways we don’t hold a candle to — wait for it — Japan. Kyoko ...

Earthquakes, tsunami tidal waves, typhoons, floods and landslides kept Japanese news gatherers busy over the Obon week when Japanese traditionally return home to pay respects to departed relatives who ...

Kyoko Miyake explores issues of gender and power dynamics in Japanese pop culture with her new documentary Tokyo Idols. Her film focuses on Ri Ri, an aspiring pop singer, and the adult male super-fans ...

A lot of the youth-oriented public awareness posters and fliers made by the police in Japan deal with the same topics that concern parents in other countries. Always check for traffic before crossing ...

With this fascinating and troubling documentary, Kyoko Miyake investigates the Japanese phenomenon of very young female pop singers, known as idols, who cater to a passionate fan base of grown men.

On the surface, there's no North American equivalent to Japan's "idol" culture. Pairing the fist-pumping energy of a DIY punk show with the off-putting cuteness of a beauty pageant, idol shows are ...