While Japan is one of the world's largest and most profitable music markets, it is nevertheless remains a mystery to most Western observers. While many apsects of music business are unchaged here, just as many are radically different; promoting your band in Japan being a prime example. Japanese music fans don't find out about new music and new artists in the same ways that you might at home, so you need to know what you can do to help them find you and your band.

Think that social networking sites, radio, and the press work the same here as they do abroad? Think again. We walk you through the major differences and show you who the key players are, what genres they specialize in and what it takes to get in their good graces and into their pages.

Looking for a radio plugger to help your band get some radio play on the Japanese airwaves? Planning to work your way in via college radio and to expand from there. Not so fast. Radio as a promotion tool is a much different beast in Japan than in the states or the UK or even Oz. Let us show you how.

Wondering if CMJ, NME and Rolling Stone are influential in Japan? Want to know if your perfect 10 on Pitchfork will translate platinum sales in Japan? You may be surprised by what turns heads here and what doesn't.

NOTE: The Japanese Music Bible as sold on this site is an executable file and does not work on non-windows computers. However, we also have a Mac-friendly PDF version available. Please contact us directly at info@tokyoundersound.com if you wish to buy the Mac-friendly PDF version.