Japan’s entertainment world had a busy week. A rock icon sat down with an American music legend to talk about defying rules, Haruki Murakami released his first book in three years to midnight crowds, and Sony announced it will stop making disc-based PlayStation games in 2028.
The two musicians, both known for pushing boundaries in rock, talked about creativity, rebellion, and refusing to follow industry formulas. Yoshiki, who founded X Japan in the 1980s and helped create the visual kei movement, spoke about starting a band that mixed heavy metal, classical piano, and theatrical performance at a time when Japanese labels wanted something safer.
For Yoshiki, rebellion wasn’t just about sound. It was about independence. X Japan produced its own records, designed its own image, and toured without waiting for permission from the mainstream. That same spirit later took him to Los Angeles, where he built a global career as a composer, producer, and philanthropist.
Corgan and Yoshiki also discussed the pressure of legacy. Both have led bands that defined a generation, and both have spent years trying to evolve without losing what made them unique. The episode framed Yoshiki not just as a rock drummer, but as a composer who has scored for the Emmys, Golden Globes, and Japanese royalty, while still returning to X Japan’s stage.
Bookstores in Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ginza reported lines forming late at night. Fans came for signed editions and early copies of the novel, which publishers are keeping tightly under wraps ahead of international translations. The release is Murakami’s first major work since 2023, and for many readers it felt like a cultural event.
The turnout stood in contrast to a wider problem in Japan’s publishing industry. Independent and neighborhood bookstores across the country continue to struggle with a shrinking market, rising costs, and competition from online retailers. While flagship stores in Tokyo can still draw crowds for a Murakami release, smaller shops say foot traffic has dropped steadily over the last five years.
Still, Murakami’s return gave the industry a boost. His work has a rare ability to bring younger readers into bookstores, and publishers hope the momentum carries into the fall.
For now, the message from fans was simple: Murakami is back, and people still want to read.sony Interactive Entertainment made one of its biggest gaming announcements in years this week: starting in January 2028, it will stop producing physical disc versions of new PlayStation games. All new titles will shift entirely to downloadable editions.
The company said the move reflects how players already buy and play games. Digital sales have overtaken physical sales globally, and maintaining disc production, distribution, and retail partnerships has become less efficient.
For collectors and fans in Japan, where physical media still has a strong culture, the news sparked mixed reactions. Some praised the convenience and faster updates of digital-only releases. Others worried about game preservation, resale value, and internet access in rural areas.
Sony said it will continue to support existing disc-based games and consoles, and that players who own physical libraries will not lose access. But for new releases after 2028, the disc tray may become a thing of the past.
The announcement puts Sony in line with a broader industry shift toward streaming, downloads, and subscription services. It also signals how quickly Japan’s gaming habits are changing, even in a market that once defined itself by shelves of boxed games.
Other Cultural Notes from Japan This Week
Osaka Street Festa draws massive cosplay crowds
Possibly the biggest cosplay festival in Japan took over Osaka streets this weekend. Thousands of participants in anime, game, and original costumes filled the downtown area for performances, photo shoots, and fan meetups. Organizers called it a record year for attendance.
A look back at 18th-century theater: Ranpei Monogurui
Theater scholars highlighted the 1753 jidaimono play Ranpei Monogurui (“Ranpei’s Madness”), originally part of the puppet drama Yamatogana Ariwara Keizu. Written by Asada Icchō, Namiki Senryū II and Toyotake Jinroku, the play is being revisited in academic circles for its portrayal of mental illness and family conflict in Edo-period Japan.
Scrutiny grows over men’s underground idol scene
Japan’s men’s underground idol scene is facing new attention after a legal revision targeting host clubs. Industry insiders say the change has created a gray zone where some male idols offer intimate fan services and expensive perks to generate revenue. Regulators are now reviewing whether current laws cover
