Where are they now?
Marxy knows much more about the Japanese music industry than I do. He’s also much, much more articulate about it than I am. Lots of what he writes is fascinating—take this piece, all about the immense power that Jimusho (agencies) have over the artists they represent.
How does anything remotely creative happen in this climate? Maybe it’s nothing to do with creativity, and everything to do with reputation—maybe you can record whatever you want as long as you don’t piss off the boss.