From Heavy Metal to J-Pop—Martin Friedman on Being a Rockstar in Japan
On November 25, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan hosted a press briefing with former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman ahead of the release of his new autobiography, Dreaming Japanese. He spoke about the evolution of his career, the future of the music industry and how life in Japan has afforded him a plethora of creative freedoms he otherwise wouldn’t find back home.
Friedman delved into the unique intersections between Western metal and Japanese music, sharing his experiences navigating the country’s culture, language and music scene. Speaking about how J-Pop in particular has influenced his career and creative outlook, Friedman said, “This is one of the reasons I love Japan. How can you have a ballad right next to a full-on thrash metal song? In Japan, it’s totally normal. I love this country that allows you to have so many extreme contrasts in the same place.”
J-Pop, as the name suggests, includes pop music, but the genre is much broader, encompassing everything from idol music to heavy rock to R&B. This blending of contrasting genres is something Friedman has embraced throughout his career, and it’s part of why he has made Japan his home for the past two decades. “In the West, you’d be criticized for ‘selling out,’ but in Japan, it’s celebrated,” he said. “It’s a country where experimentation is not only accepted but encouraged.”
Friedman’s growing love for Japanese music and culture was what led him to focus on contributing to the domestic music scene. The musician spoke candidly about his initial experiences in Japan, recalling his frequent visits he made to the country while on tour. Since permanently relocating to Japan in 2003, Friedman has realized that truly becoming a part of Japan is a never-ending journey of learning and humility. “Japan is like a box of treasures, locked away unless you learn the language,” he explained. “It’s only by understanding the language that you can truly live here and contribute.” His own journey into learning Japanese began as a hobby but became the key to his engaging more deeply with the culture and music scene in Japan.
During the Q&A, Friedman also shared his thoughts on how music formats have evolved, from vinyl and cassette tapes to digital streaming platforms. Reflecting on his experiences with these different media, Friedman acknowledged both the nostalgia of vinyl and the convenience of modern platforms such as Spotify and YouTube. “Vinyl is coming back for the experience of the large cover art, while streaming services provide ease and accessibility,” he said. “No matter the format, people will always listen to music. It’s just wonderful to be creating in this era.”
Friedman’s musical journey is a testament to the enduring impact of creativity and cultural exchange. His life story inspires us to lean into creativity, embrace cultural intersections and challenge artistic boundaries and genres, so that we might create new forms of art on our own terms. As the event concluded, Friedman shared his belief that Japan’s unique environment offers unmatched opportunities for creative expression. He said, “If you’re passionate about something here, pursue it. And don’t give up on the language—it will open doors you never thought possible.”