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Article: Karaoke versus keitai: karaoke's best years may be history.
- Article from:
- Japan Inc.
- Article date:
- June 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Japan Inc. Communications. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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FOR THE TWO DECADES after it began rather quietly in a Kobe bar in 1971, karaoke seemed almost recession-proof. As Japanese an invention as sushi and sumo, karaoke has invaded practically every corner of the planet, as much a fixture in Manila and Munich as in Myrtle Beach, North Carolina. In Japan alone, the karaoke industry last year earned over $7 billion, no chump change for a business that exists essentially to give the vocally impaired an excuse to impersonate Utada Hikaru or Mick Jagger (or, in this tone-deaf writer's case, Karen Carpenter).
But in recent years karaoke can't seem to find the right beat, becoming yet another victim of the 12-year downturn. A ...
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