English DJ, broadcaster, and author (born 1951)
Peter Barakan (born 20 August 1951, in London, England) is an English-born DJ, freelance broadcaster, and an author of books on music and English language education. He is best known as the presenter of Begin Japanology and Japanology Plus on NHK World.[1][2] In Japan, he is known as the radio host of "Barakan Beat" on InterFM,[3] "Weekend Sunshine" on NHK FM,[4] and Lifestyle Museum on Tokyo FM.[5] Barakan also curates "Live Magic!", presented by CreativeMan Productions, Tower Records, and InterFM. It is a two-day festival intent on promoting obscure western artists to a wider Japanese audience.[6]
Early life
Peter Barakan was born in London, England to an Anglo-Burmese mother and a Jewish father of Polish ancestry, and raised with his younger brother, musician Shane Fontayne.[1][7] After attending junior high school, he graduated from SOAS, University of London.
Career
Early career (1974–1988)
Barakan moved to Tokyo, Japan in early 1974, after accepting a job offer as a clerk at a music publishing company in Japan.[1] In the early 80's, after his departure as a clerk, Barakan began contributing to magazines and hosting a radio show as a freelancer,[8] as well as writing lyrics and handling international marketing for the Japanese band Yellow Magic Orchestra.[9][10] In October 1988, with his start as host of the late-night weekly TBS program, “CBS Document”[11](a Japanese edition of 60 Minutes),[12] Barakan’s popularity grew, especially among Japanese eager to study English and Americans starved for broadcasts from their home country.[9]
Radio (1980–present)
Barakan was the host for a radio show in Roppongi for approximately 9 years.[8] Starting in 1996, he was a host for 3-hour slot named "Barakan Morning " on InterFM radio which ended in 2011.[13][14]
He is currently hosting "Barakan Beat", a live show on InterFM,[3] "Weekend Sunshine", a freestyle program on NHK FM,[4] and Lifestyle Museum, 30-minute weekly interview programme on Tokyo FM.[5]
Television (2003–present)
Barakan’s broadcast experience eventually led him to NHK’s Japanology in 2003, where he is more well known internationally for exploring aspects of traditional and contemporary Japan, including interviews with experts in various fields. As the show progressed, he eventually became the sole presenter where he is more able to express his creative freedoms.[1]
He also acts as a presenter alongside his Japanese co-host for Offbeat & Jazz, a monthly show on satellite broadcaster WOWOW, featuring live performances by mainly jazz artists.[15]
Social issues
During the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, Barakan was prevented from playing a nuclear protest song, because it could "create 'fuhyou higai', which means 'damage from rumors'".[16]
Similarly, in 2014, Barakan was pressured by two broadcast stations (other than InterFM) to steer clear of commenting on nuclear power issues.[17]
In 2012, he led a U.N. sponsored multi-city mayoral panel discussion on community rebuilding following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[18]
Personal life
Barakan is married to Mayumi Yoshida, and has a son and a daughter.[9][19]
