The Kimi Kato Show

In this special episode of The Kimi Kato Show, Kimi Kato revisits THE ALFEE — Masaru Sakurai, Kohnosuke Sakazaki, and Toshihiko Takamizawa — one of Japan’s most iconic and beloved rock bands, and the first Japanese rock band ever to reach 3,000 concerts.

Featuring an exclusive interview with Toshihiko Takamizawa, recorded in June 2025, this episode traces the band’s journey from the college folk boom of the early 1970s and nine years of near-misses, through the 1983 breakthrough “Merry Ann” and the legendary 100,000-strong TOKYO BAY-AREA show of 1986, to the milestone 3,000th concert at Tokyo Garden Theater this year.

Takamizawa opens up about how THE ALFEE came to be, the artists who shaped them, the moments that stand out across five decades, how their sound evolved from folk to rock, pop, and symphonic metal, and what he believes is the true key to longevity: the fans, the team, and the will to keep going.

Along the way, Kimi reflects on what sustained success really looks like — and why THE ALFEE’s greatest achievement may simply be that they never stopped.

The music featured in this episode — “Orion kara no Shoutaijou,” “Funky Cat!,” “KO. DA. MA.,” “Romance ga Maiorite Kita Yoru,” “HEART OF RAINBOW,” “Fantasia ~Soukyuu no Kanata” (Takamiy), and “Hoshizora no Distance” — is available from the playlist link below  and at projectasteri.com.

Music Playlist: thekimikatoshow.lnk.to/alfee

Host & Producer: Kimi Kato

Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins

Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media

Inquiries: [email protected] 

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In this special guest episode of The Kimi Kato Show, Kimi Kato spotlights MONSTERS OF TOKYO — Tokyo Comedy Bar’s flagship stand-up comedy showcase, currently touring North America.

Joined by comedians Daniel Wilson, Kansei Yasuda, and Shota Saimu, this bilingual episode explores the rise of Japanese stand-up comedy, the growing influence of Tokyo Comedy Bar, and what it means to bring Japanese humor to international audiences in English.

From the traditions of manzai and rakugo to Tokyo’s emerging solo stand-up scene, Kimi and the guests discuss cultural differences in comedy, life on tour, performing across languages, and the unique identity each comedian brings to the stage.

This episode captures a new wave of Japanese entertainment crossing borders — not through anime or music this time, but through laughter.

The music featured in this episode — Number_i, Snow Man, ONE N’ ONLY, Mrs. GREEN APPLE, Sakanaction, Yorushika, and Official HIGE DANdism — is available here.

Music Playlist: thekimikatoshow.lnk.to/monsters

Host & Producer: Kimi Kato

Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins

Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media

Inquiries: [email protected]

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Kimi continues through Yamanashi, tracing a new generation of Japanese rock from Fujifabric and Remioromen to Macaroni Empitsu. Discover how Mount Fuji, hometown pride, changing seasons, and life in the Kofu Basin shaped their music.

Music Playlist: thekimikatoshow.lnk.to/yamanashi

Host: Kimi Kato

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Kimi continues through Yamanashi, tracing a new generation of Japanese rock from Fujifabric and Remioromen to Macaroni Empitsu. Discover how Mount Fuji, hometown pride, changing seasons, and life in the Kofu Basin shaped their music.

Music Playlist: thekimikatoshow.lnk.to/wkEnlaLZ

Host: Kimi Kato

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Kimi travels to Yamanashi, exploring how a mountain-locked prefecture shaped generations of Japanese music—from Toshihiko Tahara and Bakufū Slump to THE BOOM—alongside Mt. Fuji, Takeda Shingen, local food, wine, and breathtaking scenery.

Music Playlist: thekimikatoshow.lnk.to/yamanashi

Host: Kimi Kato

Producer: Kimi Kato

Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins

Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media

Inquiries: [email protected]

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In this special episode of The Kimi Kato Show, Kimi sits down with Hisashi Imai, guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of legendary Japanese rock band BUCK∞TICK.

Nearly four decades after their 1987 major-label debut, BUCK∞TICK continues to evolve following the passing of longtime vocalist Atsushi Sakurai in 2023. Imai reflects on the band’s transition from five members to four, how their songwriting and roles have changed, and why limitations have actually opened new creative possibilities.

The conversation also explores BUCK∞TICK’s evolving sound, the influence of hip-hop and dance music, the future of the band’s iconic aesthetic, their impact on generations of Japanese artists, and what excites Imai most about what comes next.

Music Playlist: thekimikatoshow.lnk.to/eiNXHpTw

Host & Producer: Kimi Kato

Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins

Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media

Inquiries: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of The Kimi Kato Show, Kimi sits down with Hisashi Imai, guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of legendary Japanese rock band BUCK∞TICK.

Nearly four decades after their 1987 major-label debut, BUCK∞TICK continues to evolve following the passing of longtime vocalist Atsushi Sakurai in 2023. Imai reflects on the band’s transition from five members to four, how their songwriting and roles have changed, and why limitations have actually opened new creative possibilities.

The conversation also explores BUCK∞TICK’s evolving sound, the influence of hip-hop and dance music, the future of the band’s iconic aesthetic, their impact on generations of Japanese artists, and what excites Imai most about what comes next.

Featuring music from SUBROSA, this episode is both a look back at one of Japanese rock’s most influential careers and a conversation about BUCK∞TICK’s next chapter.

Host: Kimi Kato Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media Inquiries: ⁠[email protected]

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In Part Two of The Kimi Kato Show’s Japan Music Journey through Shonan, Kimi heads to Enoshima and follows the legendary coastline aboard the Enoden railway.

From the ancient story of Benzaiten and the five-headed dragon to Enoshima Shrine, Kimi explores the mythology that has surrounded the island for centuries. The journey then continues along the Shonan coast to Inamuragasaki, where samurai commander Nitta Yoshisada is said to have thrown his sword into the sea before the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate in 1333.

Along the way, we trace the Enoden through some of Kanagawa’s most iconic seaside scenery and explore how history, surfing, music, film, and generations of Japanese popular culture have transformed Shonan into much more than a beach destination.

Host: Kimi Kato

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In this episode of The Kimi Kato Show – Japan Music Journey, Kimi heads south of Tokyo to Shonan, Kanagawa’s iconic Pacific coastline and the birthplace of one of Japan’s most distinctive beach cultures. 

From the postwar Taiyōzoku “Sun Tribe” and the rise of Japanese surfing culture to the music of Southern All Stars, TUBE, and Shonan no Kaze, this episode explores how the sea, summer, youth, and music became inseparable from Shonan’s identity.

Along the way, Kimi visits Inamuragasaki, Yuigahama, Shichirigahama, Kugenuma, and Chigasaki, while exploring umi no ie beach houses, summer fireworks, surf culture, and the experiences that make a Shonan summer uniquely Japanese.

Host: Kimi Kato
Producer: Kimi Kato
Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins
Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media

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From snow-covered mountains to the vast Echigo Plain and the roaring waves of the Sea of Japan, this episode takes you deep into Niigata Prefecture—Japan’s fifth-largest prefecture and one of its most quietly powerful regions.

Just 90 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen, Niigata is a land of dramatic contrasts: 3-meter snowfalls that nourish Japan’s finest Koshihikari rice, nearly 90 sake breweries crafting world-class tanrei karakuchi, the legendary spirit of Uesugi Kenshin, and the newly recognized UNESCO World Heritage Sado Gold Mines.

We explore the craftsmanship of Tsubame-Sanjo, the global rise of Snow Peak, the emotional scale of Nagaoka’s fireworks, and the unmistakable taste of Niigata—from Nanban shrimp to Le Lectier pears.

Nature. History. Industry. Gastronomy.Niigata is not just a snow country—it’s a living philosophy of resilience, refinement, and pride.

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