Japan: From Glamrock To New Wave 

Rob Dean said that he realised he was on the way out when he found the other four had gone into the studio without him. Then David told him he was no longer needed. After that, David never spoke to him again, although the other four did. He always felt the outsider, as the other four had been in school together. He’s an ornithologist in Costa Rica now; where he’s lived for many years. He’ll be 70 next year.

I learned about the band through Nick Rhodes and Simon Le Bon doing a special evening show where they played Visions of China in the early '80s, and mentioned some or all of the band members. I was so taken by the one song i bought the album. 40 years later I'm still a fan, but find myself digging deeper. Mick Karn's bass playing has become a particular interest and my heart breaks at his passing.

I first saw Japan at the Manchester Apollo in '82. I was near the back, but those five distant figures filled the room with music that was haunting, disturbing and utterly compelling. It genuinely was, one of the greatest nights of my life 🧡

I can't remember why I bought Adolescent Sex, I think it might have been because I liked the cover plus the guy at the record shop said they were progressive and that the album had only be in the shops a few weeks. I was 18 years old at the time, and on that day, my life took a turn for the better. I was hooked and went on to buy anything Japan, or Japan related that I could get my hands on. I'm 65 next birthday and when my times comes and I disappear behind that curtain, with my relatives looking on, my family know I want it to be the the sound of Suburban Love. A Very comprehensive and to the point video.. Excellent!

New Romantic was just Glam Rock updated by 10 years. Oh and what a version of Canton in the background. Like it.

Went to see Blue Oyster Cult at the Liverpool Empire in 1979, Japan were the support.

i was young and heard japan quiet life and i was hooked. we had all the others spandau ballet .. great.. Duran duran.. fabulous. but Japan was surreal. Amazing music, words, and synths.

They had a huge following in Toronto Canada second only to the country of Japan - 1978 onwards - Saw them Live twice in one night in Toronto in 1979 at The Ryerson College Theater

初めて見たJAPANに衝撃を受けた。音楽は東洋的でさらにビックリ！よく聴いた。 スティーブは歳とった今でもカッコいい❤

Saw them 1979 in Sherwood hall Nottingham university helped set up their kit (on loan from pink Floyd ) and served them drinks etc

Three classic albums, Quiet Life, Gentlemen take Polaroids and Tin Drum. One of my favourite bands. They kick started the New Romantic movement here in Britain.

Thanks for telling this important history. Oil on Canvas is still one of my favourite albums.

The break up of the band was totally unnecessary and totally due to Yuka Fujii dumping Mick for Dave 😡

Well said sir.

Ghosts is David Sylvian solo to me. I Second That Emotion is garbage. My favourite Japan tracks are Quiet Life, Gentlemen Take Polaroids, Swing, Methods of Dance, Halloween, European Son, Adolescent Sex and Life in Tokyo. They abandoned that perfect sound on Tin Drum and I blame Sylvian for that. I also blame Sylvian for taking all the songwriting credit causing Richard Barbieri to have to move back in with his parents after Japan split. Japan's members would've been better served had songwriting been split equally like Duran Duran did it. I was stunned and saddened to learn from a 2022 interview David Sylvian gave where he revealed he hadn't listened to ONE NOTE of Japan's music since he broke the band up in 1982. Just terrible. If it weren't for his and the band's work building up Japan, NO ONE would know or care about David Sylvian solo. I wish he had more respect and reverence for Japan's 5 albums. Then again, I wish Japan had never broken up although I must admit, the name Japan was always shite to me. Just stupid. LOL

Arthouse or art rock.