Peter Barakan
English DJ, broadcaster, and author (born 1951)
title: "Peter Barakan" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1951-births", "living-people", "alumni-of-soas-university-of-london", "british-emigrants-to-japan", "english-expatriates-in-japan", "english-male-non-fiction-writers", "english-people-of-burmese-descent", "english-people-of-polish-jewish-descent", "english-writers-about-music", "writers-from-london", "japanese-djs", "japanese-television-personalities", "japanese-radio-personalities", "japanese-people-of-anglo-burmese-descent", "japanese-people-of-polish-jewish-descent"] description: "English DJ, broadcaster, and author (born 1951)" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Barakan" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary English DJ, broadcaster, and author (born 1951) ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox person"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| birth_date | |
| birth_place | London, England |
| education | SOAS, University of London |
| occupation | Radio Broadcaster |
| years_active | 1984–present |
| television | |
| spouse | Mayumi Yoshida |
| children | 2 |
| family | Shane Fontayne (brother) |
| website | |
| module | {{Infobox musical artist |
| associated_acts | |
| :: |
| birth_date = | birth_place = London, England | education = SOAS, University of London | occupation = Radio Broadcaster | years_active = 1984–present | television = | spouse = Mayumi Yoshida | children = 2 | family = Shane Fontayne (brother) | website = | module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes | associated_acts =
Peter Barakan (born 20 August 1951) is an English 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. In Japan, he is known as the radio host of "Barakan Beat" on InterFM, "Weekend Sunshine" on NHK FM, and Lifestyle Museum on Tokyo FM. 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.
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. 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. In the early 80's, after his departure as a clerk, Barakan began contributing to magazines and hosting a radio show as a freelancer, as well as writing lyrics and handling international marketing for the Japanese band Yellow Magic Orchestra. In October 1988, with his start as host of the late-night weekly TBS program "CBS Document" (a Japanese edition of 60 Minutes), Barakan's popularity grew, especially among Japanese eager to study English, and among Americans starved for broadcasts from their home country.
Radio (1980–present)
Barakan was the host for a radio show in Roppongi for approximately 9 years. Starting in 1996, he was a host for 3-hour slot named "Barakan Morning " on InterFM radio which ended in 2011.
He is currently hosting "Barakan Beat", a live show on InterFM, "Weekend Sunshine", a freestyle program on NHK FM, and Lifestyle Museum, 30-minute weekly interview programme on Tokyo FM.
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.
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.
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'".
Similarly, in 2014, Barakan was pressured by two broadcast stations (other than InterFM) to steer clear of commenting on nuclear power issues.
In 2012, he led a U.N. sponsored multi-city mayoral panel discussion on community rebuilding following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
Personal life
Barakan is married to Mayumi Yoshida, and has a son and a daughter.
Filmography
Film
::data[format=table]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | In A Forest of Feathers | Various | Video Short |
| 1984 | YMO Propaganda | Soundtrack | |
| 1983 | Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence | Prisoner (uncredited) | |
| 2005 | The Old Crocodile | Narrator (English version) | Short |
| :: |
Television
::data[format=table]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Yellow Magic Orchestra Live at NHK | Soundtrack | TV movie |
| 2014 | Japanology Plus | Self / Presenter | TV series documentary |
| 2008 | Begin Japanology | ||
| 2003 | Weekend Japanology | ||
| 2009 | CBS Document | ||
| 2019 | The Best Hit USA | TV series | |
| 2015 | Morning Cross | ||
| 2010 | Schola: Sakamoto Ryûichi ongaku no gakkô | ||
| 2009 | The Golden Hour | ||
| 2004 | Eigo de shabera-night | ||
| :: |
Bibliography
- Taking Stock (2020)
- 新版魂（ソウル）のゆくえ (2019)
- Cotton Fields (2020)
- ロックの英詞を読む—世界を変える歌 (2016)
- ピーター・バラカンのわが青春のサウンドトラック (2013)
- ピーター・バラカン音楽日記 (2011)
- ラジオのこちら側で (2013)
- ぼくが愛するロック名盤240 (1998)
- ジャズ・ロックのおかげです (1994)
- 200CD ピーター・バラカン選 ブラック・ミュージック (2009)
- ピーター・バラカンのわが青春のサウンドトラック (2009)
- 猿はマンキ お金はマニ (2009)
- 魂（ソウル）のゆくえ (2008)
- ロックの英詞を読む (2003)
- Love Songs – A Kiss Is Just A Kiss (1993)
- ミュージック捜査線 (1993)
- 魂（ソウル）のゆくえ (1989; republished in 2008)
References
References
- (2020-05-31). "Interview: "Japanology" Host Peter Barakan—Japan's Accidental Ambassador".
- (7 September 2012). "BEGIN Japanology". NHK World TV.
- [http://www.interfm.co.jp/barakanbeat/ "Barakan Beat"]. InterFM.co.jp. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
- "番組情報". NHK-FM.
- "Tokyo Midtown presents The Lifestyle MUSEUM - TOKYO FM Podcasting".
- Hadfield, James. (2015-10-18). "Radio personality Peter Barakan brings the world to Tokyo for Live Magic!".
- (2020-03-12). "Tokyo DJ Peter Barakan on His 45-Year Career, Why He Quit Twitter, and Sharing Music Taste with Bowie".
- "74 Peter Barakan（Broadcaster）".
- Matsutani, Minoru. (17 February 2009). "Job taken on a whim leads to 35 years in Tokyo". The Japan Times Online.
- "Peter Barakan on Myheritage.com".
- (31 July 2020). "Peter Barakan I want to provide the listener with a selection of songs to face life. {{!}} SIGMA meets SEEKERS".
- Betros, Chris. "IN PERSON - Voice of reason". Metropolis Tokyo: Issue 528.
- "Barakan Morning". InterFM 76.1 FM.
- [http://mediatectonics.com/film/are-you-ready-to-stage-a-media-coup/ "Are You Ready to Stage a Media Coup?"]. Media Techtonics. 13 August 2010.
- "オフビート&JAZZ{{pipe}}音楽{{pipe}}WOWOWオンライン".
- Grunebaum, Dan. (1 July 2011). "Japan's new wave of protest songs; YouTube is the medium when artists speak out against nuclear power". International Herald Tribune (HighBeam Research).
- Otake, Tomoko. (2014-01-22). "Barakan says broadcasters told him to avoid nuclear issues till after poll".
- (24 May 2012). "City Leaders discuss Tohoku's future after tsunami". U.N. International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Secretariat (UNISDR) (HighBeam Research).
- "Peter Barakan".
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