The Kimi Kato Show

Pantheon Media
Pantheon Media
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Music Interviews
  • Updated Weekly

The Kimi Kato Show is your gateway to Japanese culture. We invite you to join us each week as we explore the vibrant world of Japanese pop culture and dive into the colorful world of Japan's music, anime, fashion, film, and cuisine. As the Founder of Project Asteri, a boutique music label, Kimi connects artists with global audiences, effortlessly transcending borders and connecting East and West. Having previously worked at Universal Music Japan, Kimi has introduced international sensations such as Ariana Grande, Black Eyed Peas, Carly Rae Jepsen, Hoobastank, Jack Johnson, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Sum 41, and Taylor Swift. He has worked with renowned artists like Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Mariah Carey, and U2. Don't miss an exciting episode of The Kimi Kato Show - Your invitation to the dynamic world of Japan! https://projectasteri.com  evolve entertainment network | Pantheon Podcasts | Radio Candy Media

Episodes

  1. Oct 5

    THE ALFEE

    In this special episode of The Kimi Kato Show, Kimi Kato revisits THE ALFEE — Masaru Sakurai, Kohnosuke Sakazaki, and Toshihiko Takamizawa — one of Japan’s most iconic and beloved rock bands, and the first Japanese rock band ever to reach 3,000 concerts. Featuring an exclusive interview with Toshihiko Takamizawa, recorded in June 2025, this episode traces the band’s journey from the college folk boom of the early 1970s and nine years of near-misses, through the 1983 breakthrough “Merry Ann” and the legendary 100,000-strong TOKYO BAY-AREA show of 1986, to the milestone 3,000th concert at Tokyo Garden Theater this year. Takamizawa opens up about how THE ALFEE came to be, the artists who shaped them, the moments that stand out across five decades, how their sound evolved from folk to rock, pop, and symphonic metal, and what he believes is the true key to longevity: the fans, the team, and the will to keep going. Along the way, Kimi reflects on what sustained success really looks like — and why THE ALFEE’s greatest achievement may simply be that they never stopped. The music featured in this episode — “Orion kara no Shoutaijou,” “Funky Cat!,” “KO. DA. MA.,” “Romance ga Maiorite Kita Yoru,” “HEART OF RAINBOW,” “Fantasia ~Soukyuu no Kanata” (Takamiy), and “Hoshizora no Distance” — is available from the playlist link below  and at projectasteri.com. Music Playlist: thekimikatoshow.lnk.to/alfee Host & Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media Inquiries: info@projectasteri.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Sep 21

    Monsters of Tokyo in Hollywood

    In this special guest episode of The Kimi Kato Show, Kimi Kato spotlights MONSTERS OF TOKYO — Tokyo Comedy Bar’s flagship stand-up comedy showcase, currently touring North America. Joined by comedians Daniel Wilson, Kansei Yasuda, and Shota Saimu, this bilingual episode explores the rise of Japanese stand-up comedy, the growing influence of Tokyo Comedy Bar, and what it means to bring Japanese humor to international audiences in English. From the traditions of manzai and rakugo to Tokyo’s emerging solo stand-up scene, Kimi and the guests discuss cultural differences in comedy, life on tour, performing across languages, and the unique identity each comedian brings to the stage. This episode captures a new wave of Japanese entertainment crossing borders — not through anime or music this time, but through laughter. The music featured in this episode — Number_i, Snow Man, ONE N’ ONLY, Mrs. GREEN APPLE, Sakanaction, Yorushika, and Official HIGE DANdism — is available here. Music Playlist: thekimikatoshow.lnk.to/monsters Host & Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media Inquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Sep 21

    Japan Music Journey - Yamanashi 02

    Kimi continues through Yamanashi, tracing a new generation of Japanese rock from Fujifabric and Remioromen to Macaroni Empitsu. Discover how Mount Fuji, hometown pride, changing seasons, and life in the Kofu Basin shaped their music. Music Playlist: thekimikatoshow.lnk.to/yamanashi Host: Kimi Kato Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media Inquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Sep 15

    Japan Music Journey - Yamanashi 01

    Kimi travels to Yamanashi, exploring how a mountain-locked prefecture shaped generations of Japanese music—from Toshihiko Tahara and Bakufū Slump to THE BOOM—alongside Mt. Fuji, Takeda Shingen, local food, wine, and breathtaking scenery. Music Playlist: thekimikatoshow.lnk.to/yamanashi Host: Kimi Kato Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media Inquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Sep 15

    BUCK∞TICK

    In this special episode of The Kimi Kato Show, Kimi sits down with Hisashi Imai, guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of legendary Japanese rock band BUCK∞TICK. Nearly four decades after their 1987 major-label debut, BUCK∞TICK continues to evolve following the passing of longtime vocalist Atsushi Sakurai in 2023. Imai reflects on the band’s transition from five members to four, how their songwriting and roles have changed, and why limitations have actually opened new creative possibilities. The conversation also explores BUCK∞TICK’s evolving sound, the influence of hip-hop and dance music, the future of the band’s iconic aesthetic, their impact on generations of Japanese artists, and what excites Imai most about what comes next. Music Playlist: thekimikatoshow.lnk.to/eiNXHpTw Host & Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media Inquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • 5 Episodes

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Kimi Kato Show is your gateway to Japanese culture. We invite you to join us each week as we explore the vibrant world of Japanese pop culture and dive into the colorful world of Japan's music, anime, fashion, film, and cuisine. As the Founder of Project Asteri, a boutique music label, Kimi connects artists with global audiences, effortlessly transcending borders and connecting East and West. Having previously worked at Universal Music Japan, Kimi has introduced international sensations such as Ariana Grande, Black Eyed Peas, Carly Rae Jepsen, Hoobastank, Jack Johnson, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Sum 41, and Taylor Swift. He has worked with renowned artists like Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Mariah Carey, and U2. Don't miss an exciting episode of The Kimi Kato Show - Your invitation to the dynamic world of Japan! https://projectasteri.com  evolve entertainment network | Pantheon Podcasts | Radio Candy Media

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