Foreigners sing J-Pop

March 13th, 2012By Category: Arts & Entertainment

NTV held the third program in its “Nodo Jiman Za! World” series for foreign singers on March 9. “Nodo Jiman” has been around for decades, mostly on NHK—“nodo” means throat and “jiman” means boast. It features amateur singers from across Japan who sing their hearts out before a nationwide audience. It has mainly been for Japanese (although African-American singer Jero once appeared on it).

Last year, NTV aired its own version—“Nodo Jiman Za! World,” specifically for foreign residents who love singing J-Pop songs in Japanese. You can see more information of the previous “Nodojiman Za! World” from the article “Foreigners sing in Japanese on TV“.

There are four groups (A, B, C and D) with four participants each. The participant who gets the highest score in each group advances to the final round to compete against the other group winners.

Here are some performances from “Nodojiman Za! World.”

Chris Hart

Chris Hart from the U.S. was the winner of the third “Nodojiman Za! World.” Chris, in B group, sang one of SMAP‘s hit songs, “Yozora no Muko” in front of SMAP member and program MC Masahiro Nakai. After his great performance, Chris did a brief duet with Nakai (see the video below). Nakai said that “Chris’s performance is amazing, so I’m embarrassed to be here. Chris’s performance is perfect, and I cannot find any weak points.” One of the judges, veteran singer and television performer Akiko Wada commented that “I love black music, and while some Japanese singers cover back music, it is rare to see black people cover J-Pop. Chris covered ‘Yozora no Muko’ perfectly.” Chris got the highest score and advanced to the final stage. In the final stage, Chris sang “Tashikanakoto” by Kazumasa Oda who is a very famous Japanese singer-songwriter and composer. (See the video below).

 

Nicholas Edwards

Nicholas Edwards from the U.S. won the previous “Nodojiman Za! World” (You can watch the video of his previous performance in the article, “Foreigners sing in Japanese on TV“.) Nicholas sang the popular Japanese hard rock duo B’z‘s “Love Phantom” in the first stage. (See the video below). The special guest, Japanese fashion model Ayame Goriki commented that “Nicholas’s performance is amazing. I was so surprised that I couldn’t move.” One of the judges, Japanese rock band HOUND DOG vocalist, Kohei Otomo said that “I would like to see Nicholas’s performance one more time and I would like to hear him sing a ballad.” Nicholas topped C group. In the final stage, Nicholas sang “Tsubomi” by Kobukuro (See the video below), and was the runner-up.

 

Martina Miale

In A group, Martina Miale from Italy sang “Time Goes by,” a song by Japanese pop and rock duo Every Little Thing, in the first stage. (See the video below). One of the judges, theater director Amon Miyamoto, commented that “Martina sings with beautiful Japanese language. Although Italian and Japanese languages are similar, Martina expresses polite Japanese language’s sensitivity and emotion very well, so her sweet voice strikes me.” Martina advanced to the final stage. Martina performed another song by Every Little Thing, “Dear My Friend,” in the final stage (See the video below).

 

 

 

 

The videos below are other participants’ great performance.

Paul Ballad

Jessica&Liza

Todd Spitz

Julia Bernard

Kirby Henry

Monique Dehaney

John& Richard

Maaike Ritserveldt

Sergio Shimose

Dilâra Aybar

Author of this article

GaijinPot

GaijinPot is an online community for foreigners living in Japan, providing information on everything you need to know about enjoying life here, from finding a job and accommodation to having fun.

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Comments

  • Kyoko K. says:

    Dear Mr. Hart

    I fell in love with your voice!!!
    Are there any chance you could come to like a private event and sing for us?
    How to I contact you and the pay?
    I’d love for all my guests to hear your voice…
    I hope to hear from you soon…possibly by replying to this message?

    Thank you very much!

  • I need to get on this show! I am too old for American Idol but I can handle this one!
    よろしくね。

  • jasonbroccoli says:

    This was very cool – thanks for sharing!

  • Chris Hart says:

    Interesting point.

  • Dan The Man says:

    What a hoax. I don’t know much about Martina, but I know for sure that both Nicholas and Chris, while great singers, have lived in Japan for quite some time and have their own careers connected to Japanese tarento agencies. Calling them foreigners is a bit of a stretch, but it makes sense considering that the Japanese media is so hesitant to show “real people,” Japanese or foreign, on TV. Only people like Chris and Nicholas, who have been groomed enough by their agents to look “Wholesome” in the Japanese eye, and Martina, a beautiful girl, masquerade as normal folk and are allowed to win. 

  • The article is very interesting, I love it.Hope to be able to see such a wonderful thing.

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