What the Japanese music celebrities tweeted right after the earthquake

Note: This page will be continually updated as we add more to the list.

The devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan has affected millions of people. No one knows how much damage was caused, nor is Japan even close to tallying how many people are missing, injured or dead as rescue efforts are continuing.

When the earthquake hit, during the first few hours, J!-ENT was monitoring our J_ENTJAPAN Twitter site and reading posts from various followers and also following the posts of various music celebrity twitter accounts and noticing how stars such as Ayumi Hamasaki, TM Revolution, MICRO of Home Made Kazoku, Hikaru Utada, Issei Ishida, model Natsuki Katou, GACKT and MIYAVI were using their celebrity status on their Twitter accounts to direct people to emergency services and also some providing information in English for the international followers who may be living in Japan.

Here are the initial tweets that took place right after the earthquake occurred.  Some tweets were done several hours later and while most were in Japanese, some stars addressed their international fans in English. Here are a few of those celebrity tweets:

• Ayumi Hamasaki - Among the most active tweets came from Ayumi Hamasaki who began trying to help people by posting emergency re-tweet information on her Twitter account.  Hamasaki posted, “Before nature, we are powerless human beings.  I hope and will retreat desperately spreading information.  Do not despair, have to courage to stand up and have hope in our hearts.  It depends on us!”  For her English fans, Ayumi tweeted, “Thank you guys to keep praying for Japan!!!! We all gonna be strong.  We can feel your heart.  It will really be helpful to us.  Thanks again for all prayers.”
• Takanori Nishikawa (TM Revolution) was also among the more active tweeters of the day as he did all he can to help people via Twitter, especially those who were non-Japanese fans living in Japan.  TMR told his fans that he was OK but used a lot of his efforts to retweet information and important emergency information for those following him on Twitter.
• Home Made Kazoku’s MICRO also followed TMR’s lead by using his Twitter account to help those who are following him on Twitter.
• Rock star MIYAVI also used Twitter to pass around important messages to his fans and urging them to learn how to Retweet.  Miyavi tweeted to his fans, “dear my ppl, thank u 4 ur prayers. me n my fam r all fine. but the ppl in the places the earthquake hit r not… so please keep prayin 4 us.
• Producer and musician Shinichi Osawa also took to Twitter to help people out.  Osawa tweeted, “Thank you I’m OK but still terrible pls pray for all victims.”
• Pop artist BENI posted, “Thank you all, I’m safe, thanks.  Anyway, we can now act on our own by conserving electricity.”  Beni followed up with a message to her fans in English, “thank you all for your concern, I’m fine as well as my family. This is all very surreal..ready to support in any way possible.#prayforjapan“
• Rocker/musician/producer YOSHIKI of X JAPAN tweeted, “Hope everybody is ok?  Yes I’m in Tokyo… I AM OK Love!!!  Trying to make sure all my fans, family and friends are ok….Trying to be calm….but I still can’t contact my mother…”.  YOSHIKI posted the following day, “My Mother is FINE!! Thank you Thank you everybody!! I’m praying for the people in Japan still trying to find their family…I talked to ToshI, Pata, Sugizo, Heath… They are all OK! Still trying to reach some of my friends….”
• m-flo’s Taku Takahashi tweeted, “hey guys. thanx 4 ur kindness. Tokyo is still shaking a little once in a while. hope it stops.”
• Actor/musician Issei Ishida tweeted, “thanks now still bit of quakes but we will survive!! To English speakers,If you at safe place,please stay there,it’s night and cold already,not good idea to walk around.reply me any question.”
• Producer/Musician Tetsuya Komuro now lives in Osaka and not in Tokyo.  He tweeted to his fans “I now work in television in Osaka, not Tokyo.  Please do not panic and remain calm.  I am worried though.”
• Music artist Hikaru Utada tweeted after the earthquake, “Wow I just experienced the biggest earthquake of my life. Gas/electricity has stopped in many areas of Japan and some people have died.  For foreigners in Japan- there are tsunami warnings in many areas, stay away from the sea and rivers, and watch out for aftershocks!”
• Hip hop artist Zeebra tweeted,  “Thank you.  Whole family is safe.” and continued with another reply to a friend, “I’m good, man. I hope it don’t get worst. Pray for us!”
• DJ and producer Towa Tei tweeted, “Thank you everybody mailing me.. I am fine. NOW, I rather save Electricity and think what i can do and pray. PEACE!”
• FANTASTIC PLASTIC MACHINE’s Tomoyuki Tanaka tweeted, “Studio is a mess.  Cracked and broken things which fell off the shelves…I hope everyone is safe!”
• Singer Crystal Kay tweeted, “Holy shit that was big.  omg is everyone ok!!?!?!?!?!?!?!? tsunami is destroying miyagi…im watching it on tv ;(;(.  sending out my prayers!!!!!!!!!  yokohama had a ６mag. my shoe shelf has fallen over ;s.  im at homeeeeeeee im ok. so scared. the sky looks so weird right now.  omgggg sendai is getting destroyed now…houses and everything. fire is moving with the wave…omg….this is unreal. 仙台のみなさん、祈ってます！！omg i have never seen a tsunami before. they are showing it on tv. everyone PLS go somewhere high up!! stay safe!!! im sending out my prayers to everyone in the miyagi and sendai area…and all the affected areas!!!  its coming again and again and again. its never ending…i hate it.
• Singer Emi Hinouchi tweeted, “Glad to be alive.  Crying”
• Singer Nanase Aikawa tweeted in English, “Dear oversea fans Thanks for your messages worried about me. We, my family, are fine. No need to worry.  It was definitely the biggest earthquake ever that hit east Japan.  It reminds me of Hanshin earthquake, another huge earthquake happened in the past, and hurts my heart.  I don’t know what I can do, but I just hope there won’t be any more damage than there already is.”
• Music artist KEN THE 390 tweeted, “I’m worried and hope everyone in the Northeast is safe!  By the way, the book shelf inside is all messed up…”
• DJ Sugiurumn tweeted, “Please Stay Tough please!”
• Singer/musician/producer Tomoyasu Hotei tweeted, “I’m safe.  I ran to the school.  The location group of drama is worried.  Everyone alright?”.  Hotei continued, answering questions of how his wife, actress/singer Miki Imai is doing.  Hotei said, “Miki is safe, sorry to have you worrying about us.   Miyagi and Ibaraki, however, have damage.  Prepare for aftershocks.
• Aya Matsuura tweeted on Saturday, “Late post, sorry.  I hope everyone is safe.”
• Morning Musume member Erina Mano tweeted, “Is everyone all right?  I am unable to contact my family on the phone (/ _ ; )”
• The management? of pop quartet SCANDAL posted the following on Twitter, “All four members are all right.  Please be careful and listen to the breaking news of the earthquake.”
• Former Morning Musume member Ai Kago tweeted, “I was in the first floor and the shaking was enormous that you couldn’t walk.  One of the people was so scared!  Is everyone alright? OK everyone, Be careful! I hope everyone is safe!”
• Former KAT-TUN member Jin Akanishi tweeted, “Is everyone all right?  I’m good.  Thank you for your comments, I just worried a lot.  It looks like the aftershocks are continuing and can not sleep at all.  I hate that.  Be careful everyone.”
• AKB48 member Tomomi Itano tweeted, “Since I am not in Japan, I am safe.  Everyone Ok?  I’m quite worried.”
• AKB48 member Sayaka Akimoto tweeted, “Everyone, I am safe”.  Akimoto later tweeted, “I’m watching the news.  We should all cooperate and support.  I hope the damage does not increase.”
• AKB48 member Mariko Shinoda tweeted, “I’m on Twitter now!  Are you all right!!  。・゜・(ノД`)・゜・”  Shinoda tweeted concern for her fellow AKB48 members, “I am concerned about all members!  In Japan…everyone is okay.”
• AKB48 member Hana Tojima tweeted, “I’m alive.  Take care everyone.”
• AKB48 member Ayaka Umeda tweeted to her fans, “I came back from a trip and was unable to update. I’m sorry.  Is everyone ok from the earthquake?
• Singer ARIA contacted us and said, “I’m alright, my family’s too, Thank you for your kindness.”  After the earthquake, Aria posted, “Alone in a scary mess.  My room is messy but I’m in a safe place.  I’m alright.  Everyone okay?
• Hisashi of GLAY tweeted, “I have never seen such a tsumani…”, Hisashi later tweeted, “Felt some trembling but I’m fine.”
• AAA leader Naoya Urata tweeted, “I can not use the phone at all but because I am connected to Twitter, I can try to exchange information using Twitter.  My parents home inside is messy and I’m sure my family will blame me.  The power of nature is really scary.”
• AAA member Chiaki posted “No injuries?  I’m safe and sound!”
• AAA member Misaki Uno tweeted, “I wish everyone is safe. I think many people are lonely and alone.  I fear they are not alone.  Please be safe!”
• AAA member Shinjiro Atae tweeted, “OK!  I was at the theater and left.  I arrived at my apartment and saw a crack on the wall.  It messed up my room.  But all right now.  Aftershocks still continues.”  Atae continued to tweet but this time in English.   “I’m so scared!!! but I’m ok!! thx!!”  “r u guys ok??we need to help each other!!!anyway calm down,calm down!!u r not alone definitely!!!!!!!”
• Former AAA member Yukari Gotoh tweeted, “I’m sorry but my hands are trembling in fear”
• Base Ball Bear tweeted, “Everyone is home safely but preparing emergency bags and helmets”.
• Hiroki of D tweeted, “Got in touch with everyone earlier and everyone is safe!  Please be careful because the aftershocks still continue.”
• Teruki Nagata of AN CAFE tweeted, “Is everyone safe?”  Teruki tweeted not long after, “An e-mail came from my father.  I am relieved.”
• Takuya of AN CAFE tweeted, “Is everyone in the northeast OK?”
• Kiyoshi of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION tweeted, “We are all safe in Ajikanmenba.  Everyone OK?!”
• Singer Mini tweeted, “That was an earthquake, is everyone fine?”  Min later tweeted, “Everyone in Miyagi OK?  Saw an article in Shibuya, saw a sewer pipe that bursted.  There are many fires, everyone please be careful.”
• moumoon vocalist YUKA tweeted, “Hiroshima was shaking slightly, I’m safe!  Watch out for aftershocks”  She and Masaki then tweeted that due to the severity of the earthquake/tsunami, the two would postpone their schedule concerts.
• YUCALI of HALCALI tweeted, “was a great earthquake (‘・ _ ・ `)  I caught a train!  Everyone okay?”
• Singer, alan tweeted, “I’m fine.  Please be careful.  Shake is terrible.We thank the staff of the venue during rehearsal…earthquake, fled immediately.”
• Producer Daisuke Asakura tweeted, “Home!  I was waiting for a while because I felt a tremor.  I am safe but aftershocks are still following.”
• Pop star ICONIQ tweeted, “I’m fine.  Everyone OK?  It seems that the aftershocks still continue today but please be careful!”
• Singer Kohmi Hirose was at photoshoot with her staff when the earthquake happened.  Kohmi posted “Everyone, are you all right? I’m fine.  So, please be careful.”
• Singer Jamosa tweeted, “Enoshima had an earthquake but there is no tsunami warning.  Back in Tokyo.  Fujisawa firefighters, thank you very much!  I can not use the phone at all!  Everyone, are you okay?
• ASIA ENGINEER’s ZERO commented, “Not an odd quick earthquake.  Phone won’t connect at all.  Please tell us about the situation in Tokyo?”
• mihimaru GT producer Hideyuki Daichi Suzuki tweeted, ” Thank you! I’m OK . The aftershocks are still continuing, everyone has to stay calm.  Yes, in Tokyo. This is less damage. But the aftershocks are still continuing. I stayed at home. Many people go home last night and stayed the trains to stop.”
• GooF of SOFFet was leaving a radio interview at FM Osaka and then felt the earthquake and tweeted, “Huh everyone okay?  Osaka was shaking!”
• Singer Tomoe Shinohara tweeted, “I pray for your safety, please pray for those who are wounded from the earthquake.  My heart is shaking.”  Shinohara continued, “I hope everyone is not hurt.”
• Shanadoo’s Rose tweeted, “I am hearing – Earthquake”.
• Shanadoo’s CK tweeted, “Everyone safe?”
• Masa of the rock band BASARA tweeted, “This is dangerous!  Great earthquake shaking the train! “
• Music artist WYOLICA tweeted, “Shibuya.  Alive. Shattered windows from the building near me.”  Wyolica would go on to tweet later that day,  “Aftershocks are enormous.  It may shake all night.  Everyone have shoes beside you.  I will be wearing a jacket.  Out of respect for the neighbors.”
• Music artist Miray tweeted, “I’m all right.”
• Ryuichi Kawamura of LUNA SEA tweeted, “the earthquake was awful! are everybody okay? please be careful since there are still some aftershock! I am fine!”
• SUGIZO of LUNA SEA tweeted, “I’m fine. Please don’t worry about me guys!”.  As for the LUNA SEA members, Sugizo followed up with, “All LUNA SEA’s member is fine!! Thank you so much guys!! Please don’t worry about us!! From Tokyo with Love…”
• Tatsuro of MUCC tweeted the following, “Aftershocks are continuing, is everyone all right?  Together we will persevere!”
• Hiroto of Alice9 tweeted, “I wish everyone to be safe!  I am fine.  E-mail and telephone is not connected but I can be reached on Twitter.”
• Naoko of Shonen Knife tweeted, “We had an earthquake. I’m in Osaka and there are not so strong one but in Northern part of Japan, it was strong. We decided to stay in Osaka because of the earthquake.I deeply appreciated kind messages from overseas. I just can pray for the people who suffer from the disaster.”
• Japanese reggae artist RYO THE SKYWALKER was in Jamaica at the time of the earthquake but tweeted the following, “Im in Jamaica right now so 大丈夫です〜 but nuff ppl in north they get damaged …. thx anyway !!! i jus fine and work in anchor studio !! worry bout big earthquake in JPN …”
• Entertainer Emyli was among the few entertainers like Crystal Kay who had a lot things on their mind during the earthquake especially family members.  Emyli tweeted within the first 24 hours, “i cant reach my father, he might be trapped inside a train.  freshness burger in gaienmae wont let me use their phone.  was able to reach my father. thank you for your prayers. bought food & the last iphone charger, food was all out except instant food. will stay overnight at the studio & walk a few cities home tmrw.  tokyo tower is bent. ground is shaking right now.   sleepy, but scared, started shaking again.  cant tell if it’s my heart shaking or the ground shaking. earthquakes are ongoing.  these are times when u really appreciate the small things–drinking clean water, being able to shower, eat clean food–and most importantly, being alive. live ur day to the fullest everyone, turn ur dreams into reality. the end can come at anytime for anyone & anywhere.  i truly thank every one of you who are praying for us. that is the only thing that’s holding this country together right now. all i can think about is surviving today.  my daddy’s home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.  thank u everyone for all ur prayers & thoughts & love during this difficult time. just elated & so thankful that my family is alive & unhurt.  may we be able to survive this day. my heart goes out to all persons affected by this catastrophe.”
• Aoi from the rock band the GazettE tweeted, “I remember the drill. Food and water has been stocked. Information is flowing through Twitter. There is also an emergency message board. I’m fine. Please respond calmly.”
• Ruki of the GazettE tweeted, “Big earthquake. Watch out for aftershocks everyone”
• Singer and voice actress Haruko Momoi tweeted, “I am  safe.  It was a bad earthquake and came back home to check out the apartment and to find shelter.  I pray the damage will not get worse.  Because my father was sick, I was concerned about his unstable blood pressure because of the earthquake.  I was also concerned about the deterioration of his physical condition from the psychological stress.  I think the anxiety is felt in the Kanto region.  I have a pain in my chest.”  Momoi issued the following tweet to her intl. fans, “Dear overseas Momoists.THX to your worrying about us.I’m OK.I appreciate your tender words.  I hope sing a anisong with Japanese and every country’s fans,again…Thank you for your encouragement tweet.Arigatou gozaimasu!”
• Anison singer HIMEKA tweeted, “I updated my blog. People who worried about me, thank you. I’m doing fine.  Keeping the victims of the tsunami in my thoughts and prayers…”
• staff for Ami and Yumi of PUFFY tweeted, “amiyumi is safe.  We thank everyone who has worried and hope that everyone is safe.”
• Shinji of SID tweeted, “I hope everyone in the northeast is all right.  Earthquake in Tokyo was enormous.  The bookshelf in the house fell.  Paying attention to the aftershocks”.
• Producer and musician Tetsuro Oda tweeted, “I’m getting more worried and home many are completely safe. Take care everyone.”
• Olivia Lufkin tweeted, “My family, friends and I are safe everyone!!! Sending out my love to all the earthquake victims. <3 <3 <3.  Thank you all for the concerned messages. My family is together at my parents place, where we will be staying till…”
• Eriko Imai from SPEED had a tweet from her staff to please check her blog.  On her blog, she posted, “  Everyone, are you safe??  Me and my song are safe.  For the first time, I felt fear.  I’m sure everyone feels the same.  Please act calmly and everyone, please be safe.  Thank you.  Please be safe.”  As for the other members of SPEED, Eriko posted, “Thanks for everyone’s concerns.  SPEED members are all safe.  We again experienced the horrors of nature.  I will still continue. Many people have died in the earthquake and the impact from tsunami.  We pray for you.  Finally, do not forget hope.”
• Nana from MAX tweeted, “Earthquake.  Everyone safe?  I’m fine.  It’s really scary…”
• Rina from MAX tweeted, “water supply at my parent’s home has been cut off.  But water supplies are at the public citizen’s hall.  Also, continuous power failure.  I’m am scared.”
• The staff for the female pop group BRIGHT tweeted, “Earthquake is everyone okay? Please be careful for the aftershocks! ! Members are safe! For now!
• Singer/actress Meisa Kuroki tweeted, “Is everyone safe?  I’ll be fine for now!  Be careful of tsunami.  Take care!”
• Singer Nami Tamaki tweeted, “Is everyone OK because I am doing OK?!  I felt the earthquake in the house and the aftershocks are still continuing.  Trying to open the window without it falling down.  I hope your safe from the bottom of my heart.”
• Singer GACKT was a bit more personal, creating a Twitter account the day after and posting a long message about getting together and doing something.  Asking celebrities to join him and posting a message on the following website.  In an excerpt of that message, GACKT tweeted “We need the courage to reach out and help those who are affected, to show a little courage and SHOW YOUR HEART!”
• Singer JASMINE tweeted, “(“° b °)”<<< just tell me whether or not it is safe ーーー”
• Model Natsuki Katou has been active since the earthquake in providing emergency information on Twitter.  Her first tweet after the earthquake was “Everyone!! Please do not go near the sea or river.  When moving, protect your head, please.”
• Singer MISIA tweeted, “I hope everyone is safe?  Please support those who meet survived from the damage and those who are displaced, are in physical and mental fatigue. Aftershocks still continue.    The situation is serious, we all need to try and act cool!”
• Singer JUJU tweeted, “I’m safe at home.  I’m scared too!”
• Rina of SCANDAL tweeted, “Are you okay?  If you are worried about me or the staff members, we are in a safe place and everyone is OK!  Thank you!  Let’s help each other!  OK!”
• Nohana of Stereopony tweeted, “Ok guys its (>_<)? earthquake Stereopony is safe! You guys take care (>_<)”
• Shiho of Stereopony tweeted, “Everyone OK?  It seems that the aftershocks that followed are still continuing.  Be careful!”
• Singer Tommy february6, who was not feeling well that day tweeted the following day, “Shun-chan is safe.  Our cats are safe.  I went to a meeting today and came back home awhile ago.  I was scared because it was in a building which was being used as a shelter.  Anyway, I’m OK, scared but calm.  I like being calm.  How is everyone’s place?”
• Singer Hiromi tweeted,  “Are you all right in the Northeast? ? (>_<) screaming sore throat”.  Hiromi later tweeted, “I’m alright… we still have earthquakes tho. i don’t wanna fall asleep”
• Singer Rie Fu tweeted, “As for me I am safe and sound, but there are much more out there needing your support. Please send donations!!”
• Singer Kylee tweeted, “I heard that a very large earthquake hit Japan, are you guys all right?  I am very worried.”
• Kaneko Nobuaki of RIZE tweeted, “Nobuaki Kaneko, RIZE and staff are safe.”
• Singer Saori@destiny tweeted, “Is everyone OK? I’m worried.  I remember a horrible childhood experience with the Great Hanshin earthquake.  Please be careful, please!”
• Singer Keita Tachibana of w-inds. tweeted, “I hope everyone is in a safe place.”
• DJ/Producer Satoshi Fumi tweeted, “to my friends,i’m ok.but stop the traffic!”
• Singer Yu Shirota tweeted, “Are you okay?  I am fine!  It’s really dangerous, so please stay away from the sea.”
• Singer Kat McDowell tweeted throughout the day, “Wow!! The train was shaking so bad!!! The was the scariest earthquake ever!  I hope the people outside were ok!! I hope the people in Miyagi are ok!!  trains stopped.. So walking home. It’s nice to walk and see other people!  We are ok. Thank you for all the messages!! We are home now trying to find out what happened.. 4 million homes with no power, and it’s night now and cold so please pray for those who have lost homes! #prayforjapan.  For those who are stuck in Tokyo tonight, you can stay at the near by schools, or the budokan or saitama super arena.  wow.. it’s like the tremors never stop… この余震が止まらないね。　I’m praying that God will be with all of us in Japan tonight, and give us peace.  Thank you for all the messages!! Most of Tokyo is safe, just shaken up!! We’re praying for the people up North!  I am awake!! It’s hard to sleep, but I am sooo grateful I can go to church today to pray with people together! see what we can do to help!”
• Singer Blaise Plant of Monkey Majik lives in Sendai and tweeted throughout the day with probably the most detail of his experience since he lives near the epicenter.  Plant tweeted, “My house is trashed! I’m ok! It was spooky…the biggest one yet!!  Hey Everyone! It seems to have calmed down a bit.from where I am.the buildings are all busted up..massive billboards on the verge of falling.  I urge everyone to keep alert…things are falling all over the place… I heard tsunami looks pretty big on TV.  I currently can’t go home the ground is still shaking and shaking.  So far a lot of people from the neighborhood gathered together to keep warm.  Just checked out Mayn’s Studio, everything is ok, not much damage…my place is…trashed.  This is my only way to talk to you all, sorry, just trying to write as fast as I can. I think these tremors are going to last all week.  I know it’s a little dangerous to be in a car throughout all this, but just needed a little charge for my iPhone.  We are getting non-stop tremors…a big one every 15 mins or so. It sucks cause every shake makes u wonder if it’s the big one.  Still pitch black, power is not back yet…walked outside…smell of propane.  Currently 2am, power still out, cold. Keeping positive, but so many people have been injured, or killed. It’s hard to sleep. Unimaginable.  Just heard from Maynard…there headed over here…looks like things are slowly coming together on this side. Pray for others.”
• Maynard Plant, brother of Blaise and a member of Monkey Majik has also been tweeting about his experience in Sendai.  Here is a chronicle of a few twitter posts from Maynard, “Omg.. That was scary.  Is everyone ok?  I finally found Blaise… He’s ok… But his mansion was in terrible condition. I am now going to check my studio. Haven’t had Internet, phone, power, water, heat since my last twit on Friday. I’m back downtown to see how Blaise is doing.  Using ocean water to cool down the nuclear reactor. Many people exposed at this point.”

GOOGLE PERSON FINDER

X Japan Rocks Los Angeles! by J!-ENT’s Edwin and Mel Macaraeg (Interviews and articles)

Saturday, September 25, 2010, the dreams of thousands of fans came true on this special evening with one of the most influential rock bands in history, X Japan.  Performing live in Hollywood, California, this legendary band delivered one of the most memorable, dynamic performances ever to be held in Los Angeles’s very own Wiltern Theatre.  A diverse setlist included many favorites from the past as well as more recent works, thus fans were not disappointed despite the many hours many endured, waiting for this “once in a lifetime” performance.

X Japan is a unique band that creates songs, which cater to music lovers of many genres and categories.  The leader of the band, Yoshiki, is a ravisher of the double bass foot pedal on the drums while maintaining grace and elegance on the grand piano.  Through Yoshiki and talents of the other musicians in X Japan, this band has been creating a memorable sound, which will forever enthrall the audience through the dynamism in their musicality and romantic chord progressions.  Other members would include Toshi on vocals, Pata and Sugizo on guitar, and Heath on bass.

Thousands of voices were applauding and chanting in darkness as they eagerly awaited the arrival of X Japan on stage.  The lights slowly began to appear as Yoshiki appeared on the throne of the drumset, as they begin their opening act with the song “Jade”.  The crowd grew ecstatic as they found all members appeared playing on stage.  X Japan then moved to the next song, “Rusty Nail”, which drew the audience closer to ecstasy with one of their most popular hits.

The show moved forward with another popular upbeat song, “Silent Jealousy”, which continued to captivate the audience.  A more progressive side of X Japan was displayed during their performance with “Drain”.  Members of the audience were then treated to an interlude with a surprise violin performance with guitarist Sugizo.  Pianist, Yoshiki, later joined this mesmerizing piece as they gracefully played one of their most beautiful compositions.

The whole band came together again for a performance with one of their most beloved songs, “Kurenai”.  This memorable classic was followed by two later works, “Born To Be Free” and “I.V.”  The show ended with a very explosive performance with “X”.

After what seemed to be the end of the X Japan concert, the members gave the audience a very special encore performance.  Yoshiki allured members of the crowd, as he spoke briefly about the first American X Japan tour.  The band came to the stage once again to perform two very sentimental songs, “Endless Rain”, and “Art of Life”.

X Japan gave Los Angeles one of their most memorable concerts in history.  Performances of both nostalgic and more recent selections developed a very intimate connection between the artists and the audience, as they cheered, applauded, and cried into the night.  With a multinational fan base stretching from Japan to the Americas, this “once in a lifetime” moment will be remembered forever in their hearts.

Concert Setlist:

JADE
RUSTY NAIL
SILENT JEALOUSY
DRAIN
VIOLIN AND PIANO INTERLUDE
KURENAI
BORN TO BE FREE
I.V.
X
ENDLESS RAIN (Encore)
ART OF LIFE (ENCORE)

Photo credits:

© 2010 YSK Entertainment.  All Rights Reserved.
Edwin Macaraeg, Melvin Macaraeg

X JAPAN to Take Over Downtown Los Angeles and Invite Fans to “X”-Perience a One Day Music Video Shoot Event Spectacular

Mega Super J-Rock Band to Hold Music Video Recording Event the Evening of
July 1, 2010 at Club Nokia Immediately Following the Yoshiki Foundation
Launch Party

Los Angeles, CA and Tokyo, Japan (June 24, 2010) — Fans of X JAPAN, are in
for a once in a lifetime treat, will have the opportunity to “X-perience”
the power and magic of the legendary J-Rock super-band in the filming of the
epic band’s upcoming music video at Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles at
L.A. Live on the evening of July 1, 2010 immediately following the Yoshiki
Foundation launch party.

Fans are encouraged to “dress to impress” as the entire band will take over
the famous Club Nokia venue and “rock the house”!

Calling X Japan the most successful rock band in Japan is not a statement
made lightly. X Japan has sold more than 30-million albums, singles and
videos, headlined and sold out Japan’s 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome 18 times – so
far – and has started playing to tens of thousands of fans outside of Japan.
The band’s look and sound sparked a global interest in Japanese
entertainment, especially with the Japanese cultural rock phenomenon,
“Visual-Kei,” a movement X Japan pioneered that went on to become a catalyst
for today’s worldwide Anime craze.

Yoshiki, the band’s leader/songwriter/drummer and classically-trained
pianist, has been referred to by his first name only throughout his
professional career, and is arguably Asia’s most influential musical artist
and biggest rock icon.  According to one industry insider, “Yoshiki is to
Japan what Bono is to the UK.” The members of X Japan include Yoshiki, Toshi
(vocals), Pata (guitarist), Heath (bass), and Sugizo (guitar).

Internationally Acclaimed J-Rock Band X Japan Members Yoshiki & Sugizo to appear and perform at Otakon 2010

Baltimore, MD (June 17, 2010) – YOSHIKI and SUGIZO, of the legendary visual kei rock band X
JAPAN, will make a special appearance and give a brief performance at Otakon 2010’s Masquerade –
just one (1) week prior to the band’s appearance at Lollapalooza in Chicago. YOSHIKI previously
appeared at Otakon in 2006, but this will be SUGIZO’s first visit to the convention.

Full details on the appearance will be posted to the convention website in coming weeks at
www.otakon.com.

YOSHIKI
The heart of X Japan is Yoshiki – songwriter, drummer, and classically-trained pianist who also plays
guitar, bass and trumpet. His double-record classical album, Eternal Melody (1993) was co-produced and
arranged by the legendary George Martin, recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and
remains one of Japan’s most successful classical releases. For Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved, the
1994 KISS tribute album, Yoshiki arranged and produced “Black Diamond” as a piano concerto,
prompting Rolling Stone magazine to comment in its CD review, “the ingenuity award must go to
Yoshiki…” Yoshiki has produced some of Japan’s most influential bands, including Dir \en grey and Glay.
At the request of the Japanese government in 1999, Yoshiki composed a piano concerto and performed it
with a 77-piece orchestra to commemorate the Emperor of Japan’s 10th anniversary on the throne. In
2005, he was named the Music Director for the 2005 World Expo, composed the event’s theme song, and
conducted the orchestra at the opening ceremonies. Yoshiki also wrote the X Japan song “I.V.” for the
2007 international blockbuster film, “Saw IV,” which played over the film’s closing credits.

SUGIZO
Originally the guitarist of another pioneering visual kei band, Luna Sea, began performing with XJAPAN
in 2008 for the X-JAPAN’s Tokyo Dome reunion concerts and was made a formal member of XJAPAN
last year during the Hong Kong stop of the band’s world tour.

Otakon’s Masquerade
Is the convention’s largest single event: a costume and skit contest featuring dozens of competitors, and
drawing as many as 8,000 attendees. It will be held on Saturday, July 30 in the 1st Mariner Arena. Two
prior Otakon guests have performed in the Arena — L’Arc~en~Ciel in 2004 and JAM Project in 2008 –
but the Arena has a long history of drawing top acts such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix,
Elton John, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and U2.

Otakon 2010 will be held July 30 – August 1 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

X JAPAN

Calling X Japan the most successful rock band in Japan is not a statement made lightly. X Japan has sold
more than 30-million albums, singles and videos, headlined and sold out Japan’s 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome
18 times – so far – and has started playing to tens of thousands of fans outside of Japan. Going back to the
1980s, the band’s look and sound sparked a global interest in Japanese entertainment, especially with the
Japanese cultural rock phenomenon, “Visual-Kei,” a movement X Japan pioneered that went on to
become a catalyst for today’s worldwide Anime craze.

X Japan was formed in 1982 (calling themselves X) by Yoshiki and Toshi while still high school
students. Over the next 13 years, the band released five studio albums – Vanishing Vision (1988), Blue
Blood (1989) Jealousy (1991), Art of Life (1993) and Dahlia (1996), as well as six live albums, 10
compilation albums, and 15 video albums. X Japan was one of the first Japanese bands to achieve
mainstream success while on an independent label – Yoshiki’s own Extasy Records. The band was so
popular, SEGA produced an X Japan video game. In the fall of 1997, the band’s lead singer, Toshi,
decided to leave X Japan, which lead to the dissolution of the band. Four months later, Hide, X Japan’s
original lead guitarist, was found dead in his Tokyo apartment. At his funeral, more than 50,000 fans
came to mourn his passing, and in May, 2010, even more fans stood in line at a memorial service to pay
their respects and mark the 12th anniversary of his tragic death. In early 2007, Yoshiki and Toshi started
working together again, and later that year, X Japan officially reformed. During 2008-9, the band
launched its reunion tour, being bigger than ever, and sold out everywhere it played. In January, 2010, X
Japan filmed a music video on the rooftop of Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre, with a throng of some 8,000
U.S. fans taking part in the shoot on Hollywood Blvd.

The members of X Japan – Yoshiki, Toshi (vocals), Pata (guitarist), Heath (bass), and Sugizo (guitar) -
have been spending time in Yoshiki’s Los Angeles recording studio working on what will be the band’s
U.S. debut, and its first album sung in English. “We decided to record English lyrics for four or five of
our most popular, previously released songs,” Yoshiki explained, “and then write an additional four or
five brand new songs, also sung in English. We have worked very hard on this album, and are very
excited to present our music to the American rock fans.”

Immediately following their August Lollapalooza set, X Japan will fly back to Tokyo where they will
play their biggest concert ever – headlining two nights at the Nissan Stadium, performing to nearly
150,000 fans.

J!-ENT’s Special Photo Feature: SUGIZO on tour with Juno Reactor

Greetings everyone!  Our special article and photo feature of SUGIZO on tour with JUNO REACTOR is now available.  The article is by Wynne Ip who interviewed SUGIZO (available now on J!-ENT) but this piece is just awesome!

This one was very cool because it was the first major photo feature featuring our photographers Angelo Delos Reyes (in San Francisco), Nergene Arquelada (in Los Angeles) and Mimi Ko (in New York City) and also, you can see the unique styles of our various photographers who covered the event.

Download the Special Photo Feature now!

J!-ENT’s Wynne Ip interviews SUGIZO

Greetings everyone! Please check out our latest music interview with SUGIZO by J!-ENT’s Wynne Ip. Also, featuring coverage at the fan meet and autograph session via photography by J!-ENT’s Angelo Delos Reyes (San Francisco), Nergene Arquelada (Los Angeles) and Mimi Ko (New York City).

Also, stay tuned for a special concert writeup by Wynne and also the concert photography of SUGIZO on tour with JUNO REACTOR by our three photographers in SF, LA and NYC coming soon!

Fans gather at Kinokuniya Bookstore in NYC for SUGIZO and JUNO REACTOR’s Ben Watkins

Many fans in New York City turned out for the interview and autograph signing at Kinokuniya Book Stores for JUNO REACTOR’s Ben Watkins and musician SUGIZO on Sept. 28th.  J!-ENT’s Wynne Ip’s interview and feature article with SUGIZO and our special photo feature of the JUNO REACTOR concerts in San Francisco by Angelo Delos Reyes, Los Angeles by Nergene Arquelada and New York City by Mimi Ko.  Stay tuned for details!

The following photo was taken by J!-ENT’s Mimi Ko

SUGIZO performs live with JUNO REACTOR

A photo of guitarist SUGIZO performing with trance band JUNO REACTOR last Tuesday in San Francisco.  J!-ENT is currently covering the artist’s performance in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City.  Article to be written by Wynne Ip with photography by J!-ENT’s Angelo Delos Reyes (SF), Nergene Arquelada (LA) and Mimi Ko (NYC).  The following photo above was taken by J!-ENT’s Angelo Delos Reyes.

SUGIZO and JUNO REACTOR sign autographs for fans in San Francisco

Fans gather outside San Francisco’s Kinokuniya Book Store on Sept. 23rd for an autograph signing with Japanese rock star SUGIZO and the popular trance group JUNO REACTOR.  The group will have a meet & greet on Sept. 24th in Los Angeles at Anime Jungle and a performance at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 25th.  For more information on the concert and autograph sessions, please click here.  Photo by J!-ENT’s Angelo Delos Reyes

SUGIZO to tour with JUNO REACTOR

SUGIZO and JUNO REACTOR will be performing nationwide this month and there are planned autograph signings and fan meetings in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York.  J!-ENT article coverage on SUGIZO and JUNO REACTOR’s performance coming soon!

Download the article