What are the biggest fads among Japanese middle school students these days? Who are some of their favorite stars? You can keep up with all the hottest trends in Japan by clicking to this page.

Topics include the kind of music kids are listening to, what they're wearing, which stars and comedians they like, the kind of sports and video games they play, the cartoons they watch and read, new phrases that kids are using, and the toys and other artifacts they own.


October - December 2002
Bowlingual
Action Simulation Games

July - September 2002
A Cappella
Layered Fashion

April - June 2002
Hikaru Utada
Detective Conan

January - March 2002
"Osakana Tengoku" (Fish Paradise)
Tottoko Hamutaro

October - December 2001
Licca-chan
Pikmin
Mobile Suit Gundam

July - September 2001
Spirited Away
Tokyo DisneySea
Pinback Buttons

April - June 2001
Beyblades

January - March 2001
Competitive Jump Rope
Good Luck Charms for Entrance Examinations
The Yoshida Brothers

October - December 2000
Ayumi Hamasaki
365 Days Birthday Teddy
Go

July - September 2000
Exciting New Roller Coasters
Shingo Mama

April - June 2000
X-Sports
Small Pet Animals
Internet-Capable Mobile Phones

January - March 2000
PlayStation 2
Kickboards
Morning Musume

October - December 1999
Tarepanda
Kamen Rider Chips
Yu-Gi-Oh!

July - September 1999
Rhinoceros and Stag Beetles
School Ghost Stories
Yukata

April - June 1999
Music Video Games
Nylon Tattoos
Ferris Wheels

January - March 1999
Three Dumpling Brothers
Mobile Melodies
Harajuku Fashion

October - December 1998
Dreamcast
Animal-Print Fashion
Okinawa Actor's School

July - September 1998
A Wooden Japanese Toy Goes Digital
Lure Fishing
Unicycles

April - June 1998
Personal Organizers: Paper and Electronic
Godzilla
Camera Fever!

January - March 1998
Ultraman Tiga and Dyna
Hello Kitty ("character goods")
Hyper Yo-Yos
October - December 1997
Pokemon (Pocket Monster)
Football (Soccer)
Japan's Advanced Robots
July - September 1997
Mini-4WDs
Japanese Comic Strips and Cartoons
Music Production
April - June 1997
Print Club
Baggy Socks (Schoolgirl Fashion)
3-D Video Games