This has created a "lost decade" for Japanese music globally. While K-pop was optimizing for YouTube and Spotify, J-pop (outside of City Pop revival via YouTube algorithms) remained insular, focusing on domestic kōhaku (New Year's singing contest) appearances.
“Well, Kuroda-san, I think it speaks to the pressures of modern fame. Young people today struggle to balance their public responsibilities with their private desires. But we must remember: the entertainment industry is like a kagami mochi —beautiful on the outside, but underneath, it’s just sticky rice.”