J-Pop and Japanese Society: Music as a Reflection of Culture

Course Description

Summary

This high-intermediate Japanese course explores the vibrant world of J-pop as a powerful reflection of Japanese society, identity, and cultural transformation. Far beyond catchy melodies, J-pop serves as a living archive of Japan’s evolving values, youth culture, gender roles, technological advancements, and international influence.

Through a combination of lyric analysis, visual media analysis, and cultural discourse, students will investigate how J-pop both influences and responds to societal transformations—spanning from the exuberance of the bubble era to the anxieties of the post-bubble period and into contemporary digital lifestyles. Topics such as idol culture, consumerism, nationalism, the tension between individuality and conformity, and the effects of globalization on Japan’s music industry will be explored.

Students will engage with iconic artists, emerging trends, and fan communities to understand how music serves as a shared language of emotion and identity, while developing their Japanese language skills. Conducted in Japanese.