"100 most influential Japanese people" as chosen on the internet

[AngelSenshi]

Originally Posted by Neko★munication

#26 overall but #1 in the singer category, which is awesome

Seeing as this is an all-encompassing poll (with politicians, filmmakers, athletes, etc.) it's impressive enough that she made it.

Also, OMGWTFYAY FOR NANA MAKING THE POLL <3

Makes sense that Takeshi got #1. I mean, he even influenced one of Ayu's songs That's pretty influential~

Yeah I definitely think it's cool seeing everyone in one big list, and I'm so thrilled that Ayu made it pretty high up! I think the list looks extremely fair; I can understand why a bunch of the people in the top 30 are there and yeah, Takeshi certainly deserves #1 because even I find him extremely inspiring and I love his work, both as an actor and as a film maker.

[keikeiaznqueen]

Originally Posted by ohsixthirty

Kaela Kimura??? Why's she on the list?

I think she made it because of her influence on fashion. Well, her face is very common around Tokyo right right now, so's Kana's.

[Miduhyo]

woot woot! Thanks for the share!

[JackieRos]

first singer on the list DANG!!!!
and namie 4th singer soooooooooooo cool
GO NAMIE

[y_nathz]

Yay Ayu & Honda and everyone else XD

[rusuke]

Wow! That's so nice to know! And Kitano Beat is on the #1 spot!

Thanks for sharing!!!

[AyUmIXx]

srsly it's fact that she's still influential rite..
even tho the sales are not that good..but stilL~~ haha XD

[Ayu_Ready]

She is the first singer =O so proud !

[foxhana]

what does talent mean? O_o just celebs floating around shows? i'm surprised SMAP is 89!!

but yeah~ Ayu is in the tops~!

thank you!

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by foxhana

what does talent mean? O_o just celebs floating around shows? i'm surprised SMAP is 89!!

but yeah~ Ayu is in the tops~!

thank you!

Yeap

And about Utada... even being a huge fan of her, she didn't released anything relevant since HS era, and considering this is a poll based on public vote on internet, the most votes go for people who are in evidence right now, what is not Hikki's case... There are only 14 music related people/groups on the list... So, as far as we know, Utada could pretty much be among the 20 or 30 musicians

[Kazeyomi]

Wow Ayu has such an higher position in that list D: compared to other singers.
I'm shocked by Kuu's position.. wow it's so lower. I wonder why Hikki there is not there.
I mean, she didn't release anything in 2010 but she's really popular. Maybe that's because she don't go to shows so often, I guess.. I don't know seriously

[relmy]

congrats Ayu!

I'm more excited about Nana Mizuki being so high, she's the #2 female singer on this list! Only beaten by Ayu, that's a HUGE achievement for her! She beat Namie, Kana and Kuu too, I'm so happy for her!! ♥

[maikaru]

Originally Posted by LadyAlterna

I'm sorry but I agree with max. Utada sells so much and she was one of the main influences for RnB to hit japan. I don't get how she didn't make it on the list :S I love that ayu ranked but to be fair i felt some people should be above her like the president of nitnendo XD congratz to her though!

As Japanese popular culture changes quite constantly, Utada has not been in the pop culture scene for quite some time, from the days of Prisoner of Love. We have not heard from her fromm forever, and she doesn't focus on Japan any longer.

And to be quite honest, of course she had an impact on Japanese R&B, and she was voted as most influencial Japanese artist, but I don't really see how influencial she has been in the Japanese culture, and not only Japanese music.

Utada flows in and out of the spotlight, without a lasting continuous chain of activity. Fans of Utada are NOT like fans of Ayu, Koda Kumi, or even AKB48. They do not wait around for her to release another album, and they don't really go crazy when there is a new album being released...

She doesn't start any fashion trends, and she doesn't coin new terms. She is not Ayu or Kimura Kaera who starts whole hair style trends for an entire season, and she doesn't have a whole section of Shibuya transformed for special events so it's entirely branded with Utada's name like many other idols have.

This poll is not simply who is the best musician or talent or whatever, or who makes the best products It's a poll about people with impact, people who get people talking, who get people following, and who get people changing. It's about people whose hold on Japanese society cannot be dismissed, about people who with just appearing for a second at a shopping mall will attract thousands of people in that instant.

Utada is a great musician, but she doesn't have the influence (Good or bad, as evidenced in Erika Sawajiri's entry) on Japanese culture as any of the people in the top 100 do.

[happiholic★]

I think what the problem is, is that the poll doesn't state when these people are supposed to be influential for. Because it seems like this poll is supposed to encompass people who have been popular over a long period of time, rather than who is "in" now. Although, apparently it seems as though it is who influences you now.

[Midori-chan]

I just wanted to post this, because I think it's awesome!
Ayu really influences and inspires people a lot. She is a wonderful singer and a talented songwriter, but still a very nice and friendly person, who cares about her fans.

Congratulations to Ayu-chan! She deserves it and in my eyes she will always be #1!

[AyumiAi]

Congratz to Ayumi! Highest singer!!!!!!!!
Wooot!
Though im not a huge fan of hikki i think she should be there,
mainly b ecause she has the highest selling album of all time in japan
but go ayu!

[Mintkisses]

Yay~! Ayu is so inspiring =)

[AyUta]

Cool, but I do think ayu should be higher too, imo .

[Insanes]

Whaaaat ? Gackt is not in the list but Kumi is ?? WTF ?!

[Aderianu]

I see HYDE on #94 xD