The keywords, "Cool Japan," are flying all around the world.
From fashion, anime, games, and food, various cultures that the Japanese take for granted are being accepted as cool and trendy by foreigners.
"COOL JAPAN Discovering what makes Japan cool," uses the sense of foreigners to the fullest, to dig up and examine the appeal and secrets of these cool cultural aspects.
MCs
KOKAMI Shoji
Writer/Director born in Ehime, 1958.
Formed the theatre company, “DAISAN BUTAI (Third Stage)” in 1981. Has won the Best Play for Kinokuniya Theatre Award, The Kunio Kishida Drama Award, and the Yomiuri Prize for Literature. Current activity centers on writing and directing his produce-unit “KOKAMI@network”, and the theatre company, “Kyokou no Gekidan”a group of young actors gathered in 2008.Performed in plays in the UK in 2007 and 2011, speaking all lines in English. In addition to playwriting, is also the author of a textbook, Lessons for Voice and Body, hosts radio and TV programs and contributes to professional publications and also known as a film director.
Risa Stegmayer
Talent. Born in the United States.
Has an American father and Japanese mother.
Graduated from the Faculty of Comparative Culture, Sophia University.
Active in a wide range of TV variety shows, news and information programs, radio and writing.
Commentator
Hiroshi Aramata
Novelist and Naturalist.
Born in Tokyo, 1947.
Curious about the universe and whole of creation with an endless passion.
Introduces a variety of Japanese culture in his books on Natural History, History, Art, Feng Shui, and Monsters.
Major works include, “Atlas Anima”, "Teito Monogatari”, and “The Encyclopedia Aramata”.
Yasuo Kobayashi
Professor, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo. Specializes in theories of cultural representation & contemporary philosophy.
A critic in the fields of philosophy, art, literature, architecture, and fashion.
Serving as Director of UTCP (University of Tokyo Center for Philosophy), where he conducts joint research with researchers from various countries.
Kobayashi has authored, edited, and translated many books, including "Catastrophe of Existence” (2011, Mirai-sha), and "Aporia of the Heart" (2012, Hatori Shoten).
Hiroyasu Sato
Professor at Matsumoto University Faculty of Business Administration.
Born in 1949. Worked in Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles for the Society for the Promotion of International Tourism (JNTO), and as International Director of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture in Chicago before reaching his current post.
Works to support the acceptance of foreign travelers and create visions for local economic revitalization projects.
Areas of expertise: International Understanding, Japan Tourism Culture, Environmental Tourism.
Ambassador for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s, Yokoso Japan
Ichiya Nakamura
Professor, Graduate School of Media Design, Keio University
Born in 1961. BA in Economics from Kyoto University. Ph.D. in Media and Governance from Keio University.
In 1984, he joined the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications after a stint as director for the rock band, "Shonen Knife". Was a Visiting Professor at the MIT Media Lab in 1998, and Director at the Stanford Japan Center in 2002, then became a professor at Keio University in 2006. He also serves as chairman of the government’s Expert Committee for Intellectual Property Strategy.
Author of " Ichiya Nakamura’s Evolution of New Century IT Business," (Discovery Twenty-One), and many others.
Akihiko Reizei
Born in Tokyo in 1959. Graduated from the University of Tokyo Faculty of Literature, and received a Master degree from Columbia University. Living in the United States since 1993. Contributes to the e-mag "Akihiko Reizei's Princeton News", "JMM", and "Newsweek Japan Blog".
Is also an accomplished author.
Has been a commentator on, “cool japan” since May 2007’s New York location shoot.
Narrator
Noriko Hidaka
Debuted as an idol singer in 1980. Reporter and TV show host
Attracted many fans with her bright and light voice as TV presenter, reporter, and radio personality.
Played various characters such as “Satsuki” in movie "My Neighbor Totoro", “Minami Asakura” in anime "Touch", and “Emma” on the Japanese dubbed version of the foreign drama, "Glee" and many others.
Kazuya Nakai
Born November 25, Hyogo Prefecture.
Agent: Aoni Production
Popular anime voice actor and program narrator.
Works of note: Anime “ONE PIECE” (Roronoa Zoro), “Gintama” (Hijikata Toushiro ) Narrationt for SUKKIRI!! , SUPORUTO, and many others.