Overview

• He died of aspiration pneumonia on July 14 in Tokyo at age 74.
• He launched Rocking On magazine in 1972 to introduce critical engagement with Western rock to Japanese readers.
• He created Rocking On Japan in 1986 to cover domestic rock and initiated the Rock in Japan Festival in 2000.
• His publications include the book “Rock Cannot Be Spoken” and interview collections with Takeshi Kitano and Hayao Miyazaki.
• Following public confirmation of his passing, artists and industry figures have paid tribute to his lasting influence on Japan’s rock culture.