Profiles
I interview in both Japanese and English, covering subjects such as art and music. I’ve written front-page profiles including fashion designer Tomo Koizumi for Tokyo Weekender, and reported profiles like Palestinian chef, Sudki Mansour for The Japan Times.
Previous interviewees include singer Hatis Noit, world-renowned photographer Mari Katayama, game designer Ikumi Nakamura, musician Aisho Nakajima and famed flower artist Makoto Azuma.
- “Inside Yuri Horie’s Glittering, Technicolor, Maximalist World” in Tokyo Weekender. The subjects of Japanese photographer, Yuri Horie, do not go by half measures. Fun fact: Another option for the title of this piece was “All or Nothing.”
- “Fatboy Slim: “Let’s Just be Silly for One Night”” in The Japan Times. I spoke to the superstar DJ across two days, about escapism and why he loves Japan.
- “How WAIFU is Revolutionising Japanese Nightlife” in Mixmag. This mammoth translation task was originally 11 pages! Three members of the collective shared their thoughts upon the state of the Japanese queer scene.
- “Art of Expression: Aoi Yamada” in Tokyo Weekender. The avant-garde dancer on why she dances, expression through food and the importance of diversity.
- Spoke to the rule-defying flower artist, Azuma Makoto in “Azuma Makoto Sends Flowers into Space“for Tokyo Weekender. The designer of Rihanna’s headpiece on punk, protest and peace. Then I interviewed him again, two years later. You can find that piece here, for The Japan Times.
- “Iconic Duo: Matheus Katayama and Aisho Nakajima” in Tokyo Weekender. Speaking with pop singer Nakajima and his director Katayama upon working as queer creatives in Japan, their creative process and how they met.
- “Mari Katayama: The Art of Living” in Tokyo Weekender, a 6-page interview with the photographer. She spoke about rebellion, finding people who support her and disability in the social context.
- Game Designer Ikumi Nakamura in Tokyo Weekender. Nakamura shared her thoughts on working as a female in a male-dominated environment, harsh working conditions and what she is doing to change it.
- “Reviving a Stigmatised Tradition” an interview with Hajicha tattoo artist, Moeko Heshiki in Metropolis. Heshiki gave me her first ever interview, delving into her Ryukyu roots, what inspired her to start and how it’s going.
- Maika Loubte, the French-Japanese musician, in Tokyo Weekender. In her first interview since announcing her pregnancy, the singer spoke about her upcoming plans, performing and gender equality in the music industry.
Kim Kahan 