Step inside the world of Japanese popular and traditional culture, where J-pop music producers, anime and video game creators, idols, fashion designers, tea and sake makers, sumo wrestlers, and businesspeople create the products and enjoyment that have made Japan a “cultural superpower” and become part of the daily lives of people around the world. Cool Japan brings together twelve up-to-date “case studies” on Japanese pop music, male and female idols, video games, anime, fashion, Hello Kitty, samurai dramas, tourism, tea, sake, sumo, and the Japanese government's "Cool Japan" strategy. Readers not only learn about various genres and forms of Japanese culture—some familiar, some less so—they also follow Japan’s creators as they wrestle with the cultural and business challenges that come with competing in a globalized and fast-changing world. Extensively researched and rich in detail, Cool Japan is engaging and eye-opening reading for anyone with an interest in Japan. It is also ideal for use in school or university classrooms, in courses on Japan, popular culture, or business.