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Billboard Japan’s Women in Music initiative launched in 2022 to celebrate artists, producers and executives who have made significant contributions to music and inspired other women through their work, in the same spirit as Billboard’s annual Women in Music celebration that has continued since 2007. This interview series featuring female players in the Japanese entertainment industry is one of the highlights of Japan’s WIM project, with the first 30 sessions published as a “Billboard Japan Presents” collection by writer Rio Hirai.
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J-pop singer-songwriter miwa spoke with Hirai for the latest installment of the WIM interview series. The 34-year-old musician has taken the stage at Billboard Live every November for the past few years for her “miwa CLASSIC” concert series. The singer and actress celebrating the 15th anniversary of her career this year recently moved to Canada. She shares her views on the driving force behind her 15 years of changes and challenges.
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This interview, in Japanese, is also available in podcast form on the Billboard JAPAN Spotify and YouTube channels.
You made your debut while you were a university student, and performed at the historic Nippon Budokan for the first time in March of the year you graduated. You’ve established yourself as an artist in your twenties and thirties, which is a period when the stages of women’s lives change greatly in general.
When my friends were looking for jobs (before graduating), I was thinking, “I’m going to make a career out of music,” but still felt like a student in some ways. I became more and more professional as I focused on music as my sole career. As the years went by, I felt a stronger sense of responsibility towards my fans. What hasn’t changed is my desire to keep taking on challenges. I started going to graduate school a decade after getting my undergraduate degree, and moved to Canada last fall. I also try my hand at new genres of music. I don’t want to be fixated on just one thing, and want to keep moving forward.
Why are you able to keep taking on new challenges?
It occurred to me that ramen restaurants that always have queues are constantly updating their flavor and continually improving. When you think, “This taste’s great, as always,” it actually means the flavor has improved from last time. I realized this when I was talking to a hair and makeup artist, and began to think I wanted to be an artist like that. Someone who can always improve and shine more and more. I want to be an artist who can grow little by little in that way.
I’d like to talk a little about the Billboard Japan charts. On the 2023 year-end Japan Hot 100 song chart, there were 64 entries by male artists, 19 by female artists, 16 by mixed groups, and one by an artist whose gender wasn’t disclosed. This ratio hasn’t changed significantly for many years. This Women in Music interview series was inspired by the question of why this is the case, when there are so many wonderful female artists like yourself in the Japanese music industry. Were you aware of this gender imbalance on the charts?
I’ve never been aware of it. Regarding gender inequality, I’ve felt that opportunities are limited for female artists at rock festivals. There’s a big hurdle there. I’ve used adversity as an impetus, believing that if I have the ability, I’ll be able to overcome it.
How do you think being a woman has affected your life?
I think there are so many changes. My values are so different from when I was 19 and just getting started, and the things I want to I cherish now and the way I use my time are completely different. I’ve changed so much more than I could have imagined when I was 19 — even the country I live in isn’t the same now. That’s why it’s probably important not to be stubborn or be fixated on things. There will times when things don’t go the way you want them to, but if you can accept that, I think it will give you strength.
If you were to give advice to yourself when you were first starting out, what would you say?
Well, in my first year, I was so busy with so many things that I didn’t know what to do and just threw myself into the work in front of me. There were lots of things I couldn’t do well, and there were times when I was so frustrated that I’d cry as soon as I got off the stage. I just had to gain experience. I’m the kind of person who practices a lot, so I tried to be fully prepared at all times and kept practicing hard.
So 15 years of doing that has led to who you are today. What do you think is necessary for women to thrive in this country’s music and entertainment industry?
In the course of a woman’s career, there will inevitably be periods when she has to take some time off, and I think it’s going to be very important to think about how to support them during those periods of absence. Looking at women’s careers in the long term, support from the people around them is key to ensuring they can continue to work without interruption.
You studied at the graduate level at Keio University’s Neurosciences and Music Laboratory and graduated in March 2023. How did your experience at graduate school affect your current activities?
I had the opportunity to talk with younger classmates, and it was such a good experience to relearn things. I was very happy to learn that efforts are being made to seriously consider music from various perspectives and try to prove it scientifically. It’s been scientifically proven that music can be effective in helping people lead happy lives, and I was able to feel the potential of music all over again. I chose to research live performances, and studied why people are moved by them. I was able to realize once again that the things I’m trying to convey are reaching the audience, and that their feelings of support and being moved by the performance also reach the artists onstage.
What would you like to try next?
The challenge is whether I can make going back and forth between Canada and Japan work. Living abroad has always been a dream of mine. This year is the 15th anniversary of my career, so I want to meet my fans in person and share some time with them.
Lastly, please give a message to women everywhere.
There are so many changes and choices in the way women live their lives, and I think it’s up to each individual to choose the path they want to take, but there may be times when people say things to you based on your age or what’s considered the norm. But I believe that the moment you can truly feel happy about having come into this world is when you believe in your own choices and live your life as you are. So let’s live together, confident about what we choose, not comparing ourselves to others and not bound by age or what’s considered the norm, believing in our own choices.
That was a really lovely message. Have you always had faith in your own choices in life?
Well, I think that when you’re in doubt, you have to trust yourself. Even if you make a mistake, if you can go, “This is the path I chose, so I’ll just correct my course,” then you can try again from there. There are many different paths in life, so if the door you open happens to not be the one, you can just look for a completely different door and go down that path.
—This interview by Rio Hirai (SOW SWEET PUBLISHING) first appeared on Billboard Japan
The Chemical Brothers’ music has been loved by the cinema and video games since the beginning, when in 1995 “Chemical Beats” ended up in the soundtrack of the PlayStation game Wipeout. The latest such appearance is in the film Sonic the Hedgehog 3, where “Galvanize” sounds perfect in a scene with Jim Carrey dancing among laser beams. Tom Rowlands has already worked on commission for some directors such as Darren Aronofsky for Black Swan and Joe Wright for a theatrical production and for the film Hanna, in the latter case paired with Ed Simons (the other half of the Chemical Brothers).
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But this new adventure was really a challenge. With the usual English irony Tom defined “an act of intimidation” the request of director Joe Wright to score the new Sky Original series Mussolini: Son of the Century, based on the novel M. Son of the Century by Antonio Scurati, which was recently released in Italy. The series tells the story of the birth of fascism in Italy and the rise to power of Benito Mussolini. The challenge was won, because the Chemical Brothers-style tracks perfectly amplify the emotional and sometimes tragic scenes.
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Working with Joe Wright seems to have become a regular occurrence.
True! Ed and I worked together on his film Hanna and then I composed the background music for Joe’s adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s famous play Life of Galileo, an experience I really enjoyed. I like working with Joe: I still remember him when he followed us on our first important tours, all three of us were kids… Suddenly one day he sent me M., Antonio Scurati’s book. I was hooked from the first pages, it’s a fantastic book! I studied history at university and I immediately realized that Joe’s gesture of offering me this reading was a real challenge, because M. is not only a long book but above all dense and profound. Plus, I’ve always been attracted by the history of that period.
So was it easier for you to feel involved in the project?
Yes, but I could also say that making me read M. was also a sort of intimidating act. First of all because I have never worked on a text that deals with a specific historical event, then because the rise of fascism and the figure of Mussolini are certainly not easy historical topics to deal with. Composing this soundtrack was a serious task. I was very excited at the idea of taking on a challenge so different from my previous ones, and for a project that started from such a powerful book.
The compositions you created for the series are very precise in commenting on the scenes in which they are inserted. Did you start working on the sound even before shooting?
That’s right: Joe Wright and I started talking about ideas and musical themes with just the script in hand. It was a long process of ideas, plus I was interacting with a person who is also a true friend in addition to being a great talent. I tried to give shape to his ideas, because this series is the fruit of his vision.
The soundtrack has very rhythmic sound comments – Chemical Brothers style – and not many melodies.
There are melodies! But they are a bit convoluted, they are never obvious. The main theme is all based on a precise and constant rhythm.
The theme is close to the sound of fascist marches but also takes up the ideas of futurism.
Of course, Joe and I discussed the difference and the relationship between noise and music, which was a theme dear to the futurists. I certainly would never have associated a “floral” sound movement with the advent of fascism!
You stated that part of the soundtrack was made by making old acoustic instruments interact with modern electronics.
Right. I developed a system in my studio where I can have total control of all the information I receive by making my technology interact with traditional instruments such as strings and piano. What we were describing musically was a certain past that really happened. When I met Antonio Scurati he was absolutely in agreement with this creative process, as well as the fact that for (this series) all modern electronics were used to tell not an imaginary world but historical facts, the songs often comment on words taken from real speeches by Mussolini.
The tracks are sometimes very short sound comments. Was it difficult to work on them?
Yes, that was also a real challenge. But that’s why I like working on soundtracks: it’s a very different process. I’m also intrigued by being able to comment on the change of emotions during a scene: you can easily go from a sense of calm to one of terror in a few moments, whereas in a song you often try to create only one type of emotion or feeling.
The impression is that in the second part of the series the music becomes increasingly dramatic, as the historical events do.
I tried to musically describe a very complex historical period where a leader conquers the people – part of the population also found Mussolini a funny man – and then comes to total control of the Italian state after the killing of the MP Giacomo Matteotti. I also tried to convey the director’s and writer’s vision: I hope I did it coherently with that.
What do you think of the Oasis reunion?
I’ll be honest: it’s crazy! My kids and their friends are really desperate to get a ticket because that’s a generation that has never seen the Gallagher brothers on stage together. I’ve known Liam and Noel for years, I’ve been to their concerts many times and it’s always been great to be there, but this time the level of hysteria reached to get a ticket here in Great Britain is truly incredible. Speaking of people from Manchester, my kids would love to see The Smiths reunite too!
Which Oasis albums do you like the most?
Whatever age you are, even just 17, Definitely Maybe is still an incredible album: listening to it is as if the songs were speaking directly to you. I’m sure that this effect is triggered also in the new generations. But the second album is not bad either. They are their two masterpieces.
Will we hear new Chemical Brothers music anytime soon?
It’s too early. Ed and I have to take our time, as always. When we release music, we want to make sure it’s music we really love! We’ve never limited ourselves to putting out productions just for the sake of it. And that’s still true today.
Carrie Underwood is set to perform during Donald Trump’s upcoming presidential inauguration ceremony on Monday, Jan. 20, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Billboard has confirmed. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The eight-time Grammy winner will perform “America the Beautiful,” accompanied by The Armed Forces […]
Warning: This story contains mentions of suicide.
Priscilla Presley paid tribute to Lisa Marie Presley on Sunday (Jan. 12) on the second anniversary of her late daughter’s death. Next to an Instagram post featuring a picture of Lisa Marie crouching down, with a slight smile on her face, Priscilla wrote, “I miss you more than words can say. I wish I could hold you, talk to you, see your smile just one more time. I wish you could see how much you are still loved, how deeply you are missed by all of us who carry you in our hearts.”
The message cued to a lilting instrumental version of the 1972 Elvis hit “Always on My Mind” and signed “Mom,” was a poignant memorial for the late singer who died of a heart attack in January 2023 at age 54. Lisa Marie was the only child of Elvis Presley and Priscilla and she was buried at her father’s Graceland estate in Memphis next to Elvis and her son, Benjamin, who died by suicide in 2020.
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Lisa Marie’s daughter, Daisy Jones & the Six star Riley Keough, also marked the anniversary with a number of photos of her mom in an Instagram Story, including one of a smiling Lisa Marie tending to her twins with second husband Michael Lockwood, daughters Finely and Harper (which was originally posted by half-sister Finley), with the caption “2 years [heart emoji] i love you always.”
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In a second slide posted by Harper of Lisa Marie holding the twins, Harper wrote, “I can’t believe it’s been 2 years, I miss you and love you so much mama [heart, dove emoji].” Keough helped finish Lisa Marie’s posthumous memoir, October 2024’s From Here to the Great Unknown, working from a draft her mom began working on before her death.
In an interview with People last year promoting the book, Keough said that though her mom’s death was initially attributed to a small-bowel obstruction Lisa Marie suffered several years after weight loss-related bariatric surgery, she said her passing had a more emotional anchor as well.
“My mom tried her best to find strength for me and my younger sisters after Ben died, but we knew how much pain she was in,” Keough said of Presley, who struggled to deal with Benjamin’s death at age 27. “My mom physically died from the after effects of her surgery, but we all knew she died of a broken heart,” said Keough. The memoir also featured the shocking revelation that Lisa Marie was so overcome with grief about Ben’s death that she kept his body packed in dry ice in her home for two months.
Yeezy season has returned. Ye — formerly known as Kanye West — has made noise on social media since his return at the top of 2025, and he’s got his sights set on a new solo album. West further teased his Bully project with a pair of posts to Instagram on Monday — one with […]
LISA has been hitting the ground running ever since BLACKPINK went on hiatus more than a year ago, allowing all four girls to pursue their own solo projects. For the 27-year-old singer-rapper, that’s meant releasing a string of singles, polishing up a debut album, delivering show-stopping performances and making her acting debut in Mike White’s White Lotus.
But one of those feathers in her cap stands out from the rest, LISA revealed in a new cover story interview with V magazine. “I’m proud of every single thing,” she told the publication. “But if I really, really have to pick a favorite, I would say the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.”
LISA was one of a few A-list artists who performed on the catwalk in October as part of an all-women lineup rounded out by Cher and Tyla. The New York City showcase marked the highly anticipated return of the lingerie brand’s annual televised fashion show after six years.
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The interview comes just over a month ahead of the K-pop star’s upcoming debut album, Alter Ego, which will drop Feb. 28. LISA has steadily been getting fans ready for the project by releasing singles “Rockstar,” “New Woman” featuring Rosalia and “Moonlit Floor,” the first of which reached No. 70 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The musician has also been gearing up for the release of White Lotus‘ third season, in which she stars as an employee of the show’s fictional hotel chain location in Thailand. Little else is known about her character, but while speaking to V, LISA said that she was “all over the place” when figuring out how to navigate acting for the first time.
“This was my first acting gig, so when I started, I had to prepare so many things,” she told the publication. “It’s a whole new world to me … But on the first day of the shoot, everybody was so supportive.”
“Thai people are proud,” she added of the third season’s location. “I love Thai culture. Some people already know how incredible it is, but I feel like [this show] is a chance to let the world know more about Thailand and its beauty.”
See LISA on the cover of V below.
Metalcore band Ice Nine Kills has stepped up to offer relief for some of the people who’ve been impacted by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The Boston-bred group announced over the weekend the launch of a fundraiser they’ve dubbed “Heed the Call For California,” with 100% of the proceeds going to the California Fire Foundation […]
Bad Bunny announced on Monday (Jan. 13) that his 21-date residency at the iconic Coliseo de Puerto Rico is set to kick off July 11.
The Puerto Rican hitmaker shared with his millions of followers on social media that while he does plan to unveil dates for shows in countries such as Mexico, Brazil and Spain later this year, for now, “I’m in Puerto Rico, I’m home, having fun and, to be honest, I don’t want to leave,” he says in the video.
“Thanks to music and the love you give me through my music, I’ve had the privilege of traveling to sing in different places of the world. I appreciate and love to do it,” Bad Bunny explains. “There are places I for sure will return to like Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia. And some I’ve never been to but would like to visit, like Brazil and Japan. And there are places I haven’t been to in a long time, like Italy, London, Spain, I know, and I promise before the year ends, I’ll tell you the date and time I will be visiting.”
As he walks down a hallway passing by posters of all his previous tours, including El Último Tour del Mundo and World’s Hottest Tour, Bad Bunny (real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) unveils a new poster that announces his No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí residency at El Choli. Set to kick off July 11, the 21-date stint will launch with the first nine shows exclusively reserved for Puerto Rico residents, with in-person presale staring Wednesday, Jan. 15. He’ll wrap the ambitious residency on Aug. 24.
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Bad Bunny’s residency announcement follows the release of Debí Tirar Más Fotos, his latest album released Jan. 5. The set debuts at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, securing Bad Bunny his seventh top 10-charting set. Meanwhile, the LP opens at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Streaming Albums chart (dated Jan. 18), the largest streaming week for a Latin title in over a year.
Debí is Bad Bunny’s sixth studio album, and it’s a celebration of Puerto Rico and the sonic heritage that has soundtracked the island for generations, including plena and jíbara. The 17-track album includes collaborative efforts with Chuwi, Dei V, Omar Courtz, Pleneros de la Cresta and RaiNao — all Puerto Rican acts.
See the complete list of dates to Bad Bunny’s No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí residency at Coliseo de Puerto Rico here.
Ahead of his ¡Ay Mamá! Tour, Mexican music hitmaker Tito Double P has unveiled additional dates to his first-ever U.S. trek, set to kick off March 5 in Atlanta. The Live Nation-produced stint – with a handful of dates helmed by Bobby Dee Presents – now includes stops in Virginia, New York, New Jersey […]
JISOO of BLACKPINK is about to make Valentine’s Day even sweeter for BLINKs. On Monday (Jan. 13), the K-pop star shared a cryptic teaser video on her socials hinting that a mystery project is arriving this February, with many fans believing it’s a sign that she’s gearing up to make a solo musical comeback.
In the six-second clip, the needle of what appears to be a lie detector is sent into overdrive while scratching frantic wavelength patterns onto graph paper.
“FEBRUARY 14,” reads the end screen.
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In her caption, JISOO simply added, “2025.02.14 COMING SOON.”
Billboard has reached out to BLACKPINK’s team for comment.
Though the singer-actress didn’t specify what she has in store for fans next month, most BLINKs have taken the teaser to mean that JISOO is joining her BLACKPINK bandmates LISA, JENNIE and ROSÉ in embarking on a solo era amid the girl group’s ongoing hiatus. JISOO first made her solo debut in 2023, releasing singles “FLOWER” and “All Eyes on Me.”
“SOMETHING IS UP,” one person excitedly tweeted. “JISOO SOLO FEB14”
“I’M BACK AND DEFINITELY SEATED,” wrote another fan, adding the hashtag, “#JISOOSoloComeback”
The ladies of BLACKPINK last dropped an album in September 2022, with Born Pink debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. After embarking on a world tour in support of the LP, the bandmates dispersed to focus on solo projects, with ROSÉ and LISA both turning in albums and JENNIE dropping a single titled “Mantra” in October.
Meanwhile, JISOO has been focusing on acting, starring in the upcoming series Newtopia alongside Park Jeong-min. BLACKPINK is expected to reunite at some point in 2025, but for now, the four stars are cheering each other on as they grow independently. “Everyone took their own journey [during] this time, and I’m excited to share that with the girls,” JENNIE told Billboard in her recent cover story, while LISA said in her November cover story, “We know each other so well and know how much energy we have to put into every single project … This is what we all wanted to do, so I just wanted to say that I really do love [the other girls’] songs.”
And in the comments of JISOO’s new trailer, ROSÉ showed her excitement for her bandmate’s next move. “wait whaat in the…..😱😱😱😭❤️❤️❤️,” the “APT” singer wrote on Instagram.
See JISOO’s teaser below.
