Ichikawa Sayaka, the former model turned cultural commentator, recently shared her captivating experiences on Shimatani Hidenori's podcast, shedding light on her unique relationship with music and identity formed from her years living in America.
During the podcast, Ichikawa reminisced about the moment she first discovered Japanese music. "Oh! It’s the person from the phantom song!" she exclaimed, recalling her childhood fascination with the artist Okamura Yasuyuki, who has been lauded for his contributions to Japanese pop culture.
Ichikawa's early years were spent immersed in the American culture of Detroit, where she attended school amid predominantly Jewish and African American classmates—an experience she described as somewhat isolative due to the lack of Asian representation. She reflected, "I didn’t even realize I was Asian; my identity wasn’t something I thought about as I navigated my upbringing. Even after moving to Japan, I had difficulty reconciling this identity."
Ichikawa's encounter with Japanese music was somewhat serendipitous. While seeking to expand her musical horizons after moving to Japan, she stumbled upon Okamura’s music during her visits to local CD shops. The discovery of his music, mixed among others she was familiar with, ignited her passion for Japanese pop culture and its distinct aesthetics.
On the topic of cultural differences, Ichikawa commented on her longing for 'Japanese youth.' "I long for the Japanese youth culture," she admitted, hinting at her admiration for the nuanced portrayals of youth and romantic relationships depicted in Japanese media. This sentiment was echoed by Okamura, who added, "Do you like youth?" Both continued to explore how the youthful experiences they had shaped their artistic expressions.
Ichikawa stated her surprise at how her American upbringing did not align with her romanticized views of what it meant to be young and Japanese. She described Japanese boys as "innocent and awkward"—characteristics she finds endearing, even if she didn't share those same cultural experiences. "It’s almost like I admire this very different perspective on youth culture," she elaborated. This encapsulates the difference between her experiences growing up abroad and the many narratives around adolescence popularized through Japanese pop culture.
Though Ichikawa was raised with western cultural influences, including classic rock and classical music due to her musical upbringing, her love for Japanese music burgeoned with each passing year. She revealed how her father’s passion for music encouraged her diverse tastes, "I was introduced to rock early on, but it was discovering J-Pop and its unique storytelling style through artists like Okamura, which truly captured my interest. I was lucky to have grown up surrounded by various genres of music.”
Ichikawa articulated her transformation during her twenties, when she initially wanted to blend seamlessly with Japanese culture. Eventually, she realized, "I had to embrace being both Japanese and American. It was liberative to acknowledge my roots rather than suppress them."
The discussion also turned to pop culture influences, where Okamura and Ichikawa acknowledged the prevalence of coming-of-age films from America, citing classics by John Hughes like "The Breakfast Club." Ichikawa responded humorously, "I hadn’t even categorized those as belonging to the 'youth' genre!" She encouraged listeners to think broadly about cultural narratives across different societies, reinforcing how stories of youth transcend borders.
Despite her American upbringing, Ichikawa’s connection to Japan runs deeply. She fondly reminisced about the aspects of Japanese life she admires, from the sensibilities of high school clubs and seasonal festivals to the mundane yet appealing minutiae of day-to-day Japanese life. "These shared cultural experiences leave me yearning for something I feel I could have missed out on," she reflected.
Through her enlightening conversation on Shimatani’s podcast, Ichikawa Sayaka invites listeners to explore the intersections of culture, identity, and the universal nature of youth. She challenges others, especially those raised across cultures, to embrace all facets of their identity, celebrating the beautifully messy experience of being both foreign and familiar.
