L J English, the dynamic performer hailing from West Yorkshire, recently made headlines during his second trip to Tokyo in December 2023. The talented singer received an unexpected Christmas present in the form of an invitation to showcase his exceptional talents on the prestigious television show, “Karaoke Battle,” broadcasted by Tokyo TV on January 28th 2024.
His performance on the show was nothing short of remarkable as he took on the challenge of singing one of the most difficult songs in the Japanese language – Hibari Misora’s “O Matsuri Mambo”. What made his performance even more special was his attire – a glittering sequin kimono adorned with half Union Jack and half Japanese flag, also known as the “Hi No Maru” in Japan.
But the excitement didn’t end there. LJ had the opportunity to share the stage with a legend in the Japanese entertainment industry, Masaaki Sakai, popularly known as “Monkey” from the iconic ’70s TV show “Monkey”. This was a dream come true for LJ, who has been a fan of the show since he was a child.
As LJ looks back on his extraordinary journey to Tokyo, he reflects on the incredible opportunity he had to showcase his talent on a Japanese stage and bridge cultural boundaries through the universal language of music. His performance also highlights the growing relationship between the UK and Japan.
The episode featuring LJ’s performance was aired on Tokyo TV in Japan and can also be viewed on the streaming website TVer https://tver.jp/episodes/epqya9mu7d.
L J English is a talented singer with a passion for Japanese music, specializing in covers of Showa Kayoukyoku and Enka songs from the 1950s to the 1980s. He has toured the globe, performing at festivals, stage shows, and TV appearances, as well as lending his voice to charity events. His remarkable journey to Tokyo and his performance on “Karaoke Battle” has solidified his reputation as a rising star in the world of music.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.