Jrock

J-rock, short for Japanese rock, is an umbrella term for rock music produced in Japan. It encompasses a wide range of styles, from hard rock and heavy metal to alternative rock and indie rock, and songs are predominantly sung in Japanese though many bands incorporate English. The term is used by fans, media, and industry to distinguish Japanese rock from J-pop or Western rock.

Origins trace to 1960s and 1970s groups that experimented with Japanese-language lyrics, such as Happy End, which helped redefine rock in Japan. The 1980s saw the growth of commercial rock, pop-rock, and hard rock with major-label support and acts like X Japan and B'z achieving wide popularity. The 1990s introduced alternative and indie scenes, and the visual kei movement emerged, blending elaborate fashion with music, influencing many bands for years. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, J-rock bands achieved mainstream success through radio, television, and international tours, with a thriving live-house circuit.

Several acts are emblematic across eras: X Japan (pioneering metal/hard rock), B'z and Mr. Children (pop-rock megastars), L'Arc-en-Ciel and Glay (mainstream rock), Buck-Tick and Malice Mizer (visual kei early pioneers), Dir En Grey and The Gazette (heavier modern acts), and more recent groups such as One OK Rock, Asian Kung-Fu Generation, and Radwimps. J-rock also intersects with anime and film soundtracks, helping it reach global audiences.

International reception has grown with global tours, festival appearances, and streaming platforms. J-rock has influenced fashion and subcultures in Asia and beyond, while anime and video games have introduced Japanese rock to non-Japanese listeners. The scene remains diverse, with independent, underground, and mainstream acts continuing to evolve.