～Onlyyoujin～

In his native Japan, Jin Akanishi is a superstar. 
Since his early teens, he’s achieved fame as a pop idol, 
singer-songwriter (with the groups KAT-TUN and LANDS), 
actor, and radio host. After launching a successful 
American tour in 2010 to sold out (and screaming) crowds, 
Jin is back in the U.S. supporting his hotly anticipated 
English-language debut album, Japonicana. 
Released earlier this month, the disc features production 
by Grammy Award-nominated trio the Stereotypes 
(Far East Movement, Ne-Yo) and platinum hit maker 
Static Revenge (Madonna, Shakira).

Jin takes Manhattan at New York’s Best Buy Theater tonight (March 15) 
and hits San Francisco’s Regency Ballroom on March 17. 
In this exclusive interview, I spoke with the 27-year-old about the tour, 
the making of the album, his love for hip-hop, 
and hanging out with Justin Bieber.

How would you describe the new album?

The word ‘Japonicana’ comes from Japan, America and Spain. 
The ‘a’ sound is for the females, so my album is a girl. 
There’s more than one genre—dance, pop, hip-hop, and R&B. 
It’s like my baby, because I created it from scratch.

How has the tour been going?

It’s really great. The crowds are great, good energy, 
dancers, and a lot of drink (laughs).

What can fans expect at the shows this time? What’s different?

It’s a totally different concert. Everything’s different.

Is there a highlight you can tell us about?

Crazy lights and dancing. All the songs are from Japonicana.

You mentioned that the title represents all the places 
that influence you—Japan, America and Spain. 
How have they influenced you?

I’m Japanese, obviously. And America, my mom loves 
American music and used to listen to it when I was little. 
I kind of grew up with it. My best friend’s mom is Spanish, 
and she taught me a lot about the culture. 
So that’s how I got influenced.

Your last tour of America consisted mostly of new 
English-language songs, and one of them, “Oowah,” 
appears on the new album. Did you intend to have more songs 
from that tour on this album?

Yes, but I wanted to pick “Oowah.” I compose music every day, 
and I wanted to pick this one.

What made you decide to start fresh by choosing other tracks on the album?

American music trends are changing constantly. 
I wanted to pick the best ones.

I really enjoy “Like You” and “Set Love Free” from the new album.

Thank you very much. Those songs were written 
by the Stereotypes. They’re really good producers.

You’re a big fan of hip-hop. How did you first get into it?

I like hip-hop because I was influenced by my friends. 
They’re all big fans of hip-hop and they would play Tupac, 
Eminem and Dr. Dre and stuff. I guess that’s how I got into it.

Japonicana’s style is more dance-pop, even though 
there are elements of hip-hop. How was the experience 
making these songs compared to the ones on the last tour?

I worked on this album in the U.S. That’s the big difference.

It was recorded in L.A.?

Yes.

You’ve been hard at work learning English. What has your study 
routine been like since you really got into it?

I kind of study every day, like talking to people. 
I’ve been trying to learn as much as I can. 
I went to America for six months to study in 2006, 
and all my friends used to go to an international school in Japan, 
so I was kind of in that community. That’s how I got here.

What techniques have helped you the most?

Be stupid about it, like be passionate. 
You really have to like learning; the whole process.

What other doors have opened for you in life now 
that you’re proficient in English?

To know more people. And for acting—acting in a different language.

Do you plan to do any acting here in the future?

Yes, of course, if I have the chance. Also, I just did my first American movie 
called 47 Ronin with Keanu Reeves. It’s coming out in November.

Keanu Reeves can speak some Japanese, right? 
His rock band Dogstar was very well known in Japan.

He speaks a couple of words, yes.

Your website has a video of you hanging out with Justin Bieber. 
What brought you together?

Oh, I just bumped into him. I was working on my album 
and he was there. I just said “hi.”

Will you guys collaborate in the future?

I would love to collaborate with him. 
I would love to collaborate with anybody…
Lil Wayne would be awesome.

What are your ultimate goals for yourself in America?

I’ve kind of achieved my ultimate goal (laughs) 
by dropping my first album. I want to have more people 
to share my music with, and I want to do more movies.

After this tour is over, what’s your next career plan?

I have no idea, but I’m going to have something good.

Do you have any other messages for your fans?

I’m about to have a show in New York, and I’ll see you all there. 
Thanks for buying my album and for your support. I love you all.

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