"It's my life. I am so grateful that I met music when I was a small kid, and it feels as if I was born for it." - yoko Honda

The world of music for yoko Honda was destined to be a world journey. A desire on her part to study both performing arts and sound technology/engineering would take her from Japan to Liverpool, England at the age of 19. In 2007 she would sojourn to the US to attend the University of North Carolina School of the Arts to expand her composing and arranging abilities.

Her musical creations display the wide range of styles she has been exposed to, as she says herself: "I enjoy writing in so many different styles that I have no idea which genre my music belongs to." But one thing her songs all share is the depth of training and passion she brings to her life's work.

So if you're in the mood for some elegant classical music, some atmospheric sci-fi theme sounds or something that you could picture being in an animation score, come take a listen to the works of this Japanese international traveler who does admit to one regret: "…my favorite flower, Sakura (cherry blossom) in the spring. I actually haven't seen them in full bloom in Japan since I left, and still miss it very much."

"One day when I was on the stage during a performance the Japanese Yakuza came to the club and made a fuss and got into a scuffle. As soon as our Leader and the Yakuza man started to fight, I jumped on the Yakuza man. I got punched as he said "Stay away! Ugly monkey girl!" Then it became a sloppy big melee. I was so mischievous and feared nothing." - Ray-Law

Being a female rapper in Japan in the 1990s could be tough, and Ray-Law has paid her dues to gain respect in a country whose Rap scene tended to be dominated by men. Drawing on the inspiration from artists like MC Hammer, the Fugees and MC Lyte, she developed her craft and in the process became transformed into a rapper with a new subject to rap about: the power of love.

Her latest project is the charity album "GIFT: Ray-Law PRESENTS☆Afro Spot & Friends" which brings together a dozen Japanese artists to help those with intractable diseases. She may not be brawling with the Yazuka much these days, but the passion in her heart has never wavered as she sums things up: "My career is as a Rap musician. I don't know where I might go, but I want to be a cool and stylish messenger of love even in old age."

"This song was written as a thank you to Japan for all my wonderful experiences there. I wanted to try to explain Japan through my eyes and how I, as well as many other Americans, wish to live in the Tokyo way. There is a term in the song "Tokyo-oing" which means just that." - Becca

That song would be Shibuya from Becca's latest single release in Japan. Born and raised in the USA, Becca developed her musical craft playing in clubs like the Knitting Factory and House of Blues. But when some talent scouts from Sony Music took a look at her act they knew where her sound and fashion would find a market to take her musical career to the next level: Japan.

Becca has released four singles and a full length album "ALIVE!!" in the land of the rising sun and is about to make her official US debut with the digital release of "Kickin' & Screamin'" on September 29. So come learn the story of this rising talent from Portland, Oregon who describes the day "ALIVE!!" came out with words as passionate as her music: "It felt like a true blessing and all I wanted to do was scream out in joy and celebrate!"

"While we were recording last year, we were asked if we wanted to try out for the opening theme for "Bleach." Mami was especially a huge fan of "Bleach," so we immediately started to work on it. There were apparently many other candidate artists, so we felt very honored and happy when our song was chosen." - SCANDAL

When you think of the word "scandal" the first thing that pops into your mind probably isn't an all girl band from Japan, unless you are a huge fan of the anime series "Bleach" that is. Coming from a music industry somewhat notorious for manufacturing groups, our first look at this high school uniform wearing band made us wonder... until we listened to their music.

With full throttle songs like Shojo S, Tokyo and Space Ranger these four musicians from Osaka have managed to create a beautifully sexy moe inducing appearance with all its obvious commercial appeal while keeping their identity as a rock band to be taken seriously. Their first full length album "Best Scandal" will be released in Japan on October 21.

"One old Rastaman approached me from the dark right after I finished my rehearsal with the band and shook my hand with tears in his eyes, saying "You know Jah notes. So please continue what you are doing." I still can't forget that moment." - Nahki

The Reggae music from the island of Jamaica have captivated artists from around the world. For Nahki of Nagoya, Japan, it would become his life's obsession. He first fell in love with the music as a teen listening to the radio. At the age of 18 he moved to Tokyo, formed his own band and learned to play the music of his far away idols.

When the great Sugar Minott traveled to Tokyo for a tour in 1984 Nahki was given the chance to jam with his idol, an event he describes as "a night of dreams comes true!" And when Sugar Minott invited Nahki to come to Jamaica to perfect his craft, Nahki's lifelong desire of bringing the music and cultures of Japan and Jamaica closer together became his reality.

"Though I enjoy classical music, I understand that it sometimes requires some training and knowledge to enjoy. To me, what the Beatles did was to digest complicated music into the simplest form, whether it was intentional or not. And that is what I'm trying to achieve." - Heday

Trained in classical music, it was really the classic rock of groups like the Beatles that first formed the musical passions of the Japanese singer/songwriter Heday. From Shizuoka, Japan, Heday (aka Hidehito Ikumo) took the path of many hopeful Japanese musicians and journeyed to the far away shores of the US to pursue his musical dreams.

Heday has recently joined forces with the beautiful songbird Valerie Stern to form the group Layla Lane. Come take a listen to the music of this promising duo and learn the story of their upcoming debut album, how Heday ended up in Los Angeles and how he finally got to jam with the great Ringo Starr.

"We coined the name so it has various meanings. We think the meaning of "sync" is the closest. We want to synchronize with various people through this band." - Shink

If the vibrant fun and energy of their shows is any indication, it looks like the members of Shink will be "synchronizing" with a growing number of fans over the next few years. With Haruka on vocals, Kuro on guitar and Roku playing bass these three newcomers have released two singles and are working on their first full album.

So if its something new and refreshing you're looking for, come take a look at the trio with the upbeat message: "'Everything's gonna be alright!' should be recited many times when things get painful. It is possible to become positive if you can just persuade yourself."

"We bought vintage RCA ribbon microphones and instruments to prepare ourselves for recording. It took about 2 or 3 hours to complete the song. It was really fun like a party." - Nobumasa Takada

It may be a long way from modern Japan to the Hawaiian music of the 1920s, but there is one group, the Sweet Hollywaiians, who have somehow managed to bring to life the essence of those comforting, laidback sounds. The Sweet Hollywaiians play a nostalgic form of music they describe as "authentic Hawaiian, swing, ragtime, blues, calypso, Italian music." Composed of Tomotaka Matsui, Nobumasa Takada, Takashi Nakayama and Kouichi Tsutsumishita, they have just released their latest album, "Ticklin' The Strings" and are making preparations for another tour of the US.

So whip up a few Mai Tais, grab that ukulele you keep in the closet, and come take a listen to the soothing sounds of the tropics -- by way of Osaka -- and discover which of the Sweet Hollywaiians has mastered that ever important art of climbing a coconut tree -- Hawaiian style!