180: Things get warmer with Xi; Johnny’s get the cold shoulder

<div>Chinese President Xi Jinping made the rounds at APEC last week, <strong>Gabriel Dominguez</strong> tells us what it means for Japan. At home, NHK has announced its “Kohaku” lineup — with nary a Johnny’s act to be found. <strong>Patrick St. Michel</strong> discusses the year’s most notable snub. <br> <br> <strong>On this episode:</strong><br> Shaun McKenna: <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/shaun-mckenna/">Articles</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/jt_sloosh">X</a> <br> Gabriel  Dominquez: <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/3151/gabriel-dominguez/">Articles</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/DominLemin">X</a> <br> Patrick St. Michel: <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/226/patrick-st-michel/">Articles</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/mbmelodies">X</a><br> <br> <strong>Read more:</strong> </div> <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/11/17/japan/politics/xi-kishida-meeting/">Kishida and Xi aim for trade progress despite lingering tensions</a> (Gabriel Dominguez and Gabrielle Ninivaggi, The Japan Times)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2023/11/21/world/china-diplomacy-offensive-defensive/">'Offensive' and 'defensive' diplomacy: Managing ties with China</a> (Hotaka Machida, The Japan Times)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2023/11/13/entertainment-news/kohaku-johnnys-smile-up/">NHK ditches Johnny's acts for year-end musical bonanza</a> (Patrick St. Michel, The Japan Times)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/mQ2dHvxrLCE?si=EcWDpYYOPwDyfa3V">Takeshi Kitano, comedian, film director, actor, painter, writer, singer</a> (FCCJ, YouTube)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/11/20/japan/takarazuka-experts-panel-scandal/">Scandal-hit Takarazuka to set up experts panel to improve culture</a> (The Japan Times)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2023/06/30/music/idol-yoasobi-pens-new-chapter-j-pops-story/">With ‘Idol,’ Yoasobi pens a new chapter in J-pop’s story</a> (Patr