Japan

From elaborate improvisations on the lute-like shamisen to the shamelessly sentimental and tear-filled enka ballads sung by Misora Hibari, Japanese music exhibits immense range. Syrupy sweet pop is balanced by hip underground music from the Shibuya quarter of Japan, while traditional and ceremonial music flourishes, supported by pride in an ancient heritage. Scrupulous attention to international trends and styles has made rock and Pop bands extremely diverse, as evidenced by the acclaimed Japanese Salsa band Orquesta De La Luz. Japan is becoming a focal point for much of the music of the Far East, as artists there forge new styles that are at once folky and modern, delving into everything from cutting edge electronics and noisy guitars to whispery flutes and ancient song forms.