Japanese Reggae Music

Mighty Crown Sound System

Reggae music was first introduced to the Japanese people in 1975 when Reggae band "The Pioneers" toured that country in 1975.

In 1979, Reggae music legend the late Boby Marley visited Japan on holiday where he meets with Japanese percussionist Pecker, the two became good friends which led to a collaboration between Jamaican and Japanese Reggae artists.

This suggestion resulted in the albums Pecker Power, and Instant Rasta being recorded in Jamaica at "Channel One" and "Tuff Gong Studio" in 1980.

These two albums influenced both Japanese and Jamaican artists, and are regarded as spreading reggae to Japan.

Featured on the albums were Jamaican artists Augustus Pablo, Sly & Robbie, The Wailers, Rico Rodriguez, Carlton Barrett and Marcia Griffiths and Japanese Reggae artists  Minako Yoshida, Ryuuichi Sakamoto, Naoya Matsuoka, Shigeharu Mukai, and Akira Sakata.

The growth of Japanese Reggae music industry also helps to propel the sound system industry.  Today Japan boasts some of the top Sound Systems playing dancehall and Reggae music.

One of the most feared Sound System, as it relates to clashing, is the far east ruler Mighty Crown.

Japanese Reggae sound systems have been major supporters of Jamaica's dubplate industry for decades. 

Although Reggae music was originated in Jamaica, places such as Austria, France, Holland, Australia and Japan have emerged huge markets for Reggae music.