A Glittering Prelude to Bubble-Era Pop In the neon haze of 1980s Japan, J-Pop emerged as both a mirror and a muse for a society riding the crest of an economic wave. Bubble-era artists like Seiko Matsuda and Akina Nakamori embodied a brand of polished decadence: towering hair, shimmering sequins, and lyrics that hinted at financial triumphs and romantic escapades alike. Record labels poured resources into lush production values, employing session musicians who could make each synthesizer swoon and each drum hit glisten. Television variety shows staged extravagant choreographies, and fans–armed with yen and boundless optimism–snapped up vinyl and cassette

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