National News

New J-pop center opens in San Francisco

New People, possibly the first commercial complex dedicated to J-pop in the United States, opened Aug. 15 in Japan Town, San Francisco, drawing a long line of young people crazy about Japanese music, fashion and animation.

The three-story facility houses a store selling books, toys, DVDs and other merchandise related to Japanese pop culture, clothing stores including the first U.S. flagship store of Baby, the Stars Shine Bright (the ultimate "Lolita" fashion brand, as it is known among J-pop fans), a movie theater and an art gallery.

Jennifer Filo, 22, and Saru Bell, 18, said they started to line up at 4 a.m. Aug. 15 to enter the building ahead of its grand opening at 11 a.m.

Clad in black Gothic and Lolita fashion, the two said they had been looking forward to the opening of New People, taking pictures together every Friday since spring in front of the facility while it was under construction.

The day's opening featured the commemorative event J-pop Summit, showcasing Tokyo's latest Gothic and Lolita wear at an outdoor fashion show and drawing more than 1,000 spectators, including "cosplayers" wearing costumes of Japanese manga and anime characters. (Kyodo News)

Shukan ST: August 28, 2009

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