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Heisei Japan’s Pop Culture Milestones: The Long Kiss Goodbye to Shōwa

  • The “JK” (an acronym for the Japanese joshi kōsei, or high school girl) became a symbol of youthful—and marketable—sexuality.

    The “JK” (an acronym for the Japanese joshi kōsei, or high school girl) became a symbol of youthful—and marketable—sexuality.

  • Miyazaki Hayao smiles during a press conference following the completion of Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (Spirited Away) on July 10, 2001. (© Jiji)

    Miyazaki Hayao smiles during a press conference following the completion of Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (Spirited Away) on July 10, 2001. (© Jiji)

  • Murakami fans gathered for the October 13, 2016, literature Nobel announcement drown their sorrows at a Tokyo bookstore after their favorite author misses out on the prize once again. (© Jiji)

    Murakami fans gathered for the October 13, 2016, literature Nobel announcement drown their sorrows at a Tokyo bookstore after their favorite author misses out on the prize once again. (© Jiji)

  • Director Koreeda Hirokazu’s Manbiki Kazoku (Shoplifters) won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Koreeda displays his award at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in Tokyo in May 2018.

    Director Koreeda Hirokazu’s Manbiki Kazoku (Shoplifters) won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Koreeda displays his award at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in Tokyo in May 2018.

  • One Piece is today a global phenomenon, with hundreds of millions of copies sold during the Heisei era. Creator Oda Eiichirō provided this image of his characters in front of Kumamoto Castle to cheer on Kumamoto residents following the powerful earthquakes that struck in April 2016. (Courtesy Kumamoto Prefecture; © Jiji)

    One Piece is today a global phenomenon, with hundreds of millions of copies sold during the Heisei era. Creator Oda Eiichirō provided this image of his characters in front of Kumamoto Castle to cheer on Kumamoto residents following the powerful earthquakes that struck in April 2016. (Courtesy Kumamoto Prefecture; © Jiji)

  • Akimoto Yasushi poses with AKB48 members at the thirty-first JASRAC Awards ceremony on May 22, 2013. (© Jiji)

    Akimoto Yasushi poses with AKB48 members at the thirty-first JASRAC Awards ceremony on May 22, 2013. (© Jiji)

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