As it turns out, Mayan prophecies of our impending doom were greatly exaggerated. And it’s a good thing to. 2013 is already shaping up to be a big year for Japanese music. Boom Boom Satellites have a new album out this month. Perfume, Peelander-Z and Sawao Yamanaka have also announced impending releases of new material. Japan Nite has announced the line-up for the 2013 tour and to say I’m stoked would be putting it lightly.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. Before we jump headlong into the new year, I think we owe 2012 a look back.

Posterity will remember the state of Japanese music in the year 2012 for the increasing popularity of Korean pop groups like T-ARA and Girls Generation. It will remember the groups who called it quits (Stereopony) and the groups who survived by transforming themselves (Chatmonchy). It will celebrate the groups who have continued to thrive and grow (Boom Boom Satellites) and the newcomers who left a mark on history (Kyary Pamyu Pamyu). As for me, I will look back fondly to this collection of a mere 12 songs that I believe represent some of the best Japanese music of 2012.

Want more Nihongaku Radio? Check out previous episodes right here on Nihongaku. You can also find the show on Ani.me, a great site for all your anime, manga and Japanese cultural needs. You can also subscribe to the podcast feed via iTunes.

Nihongaku Radio: Best of 2012 Special

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INTRO: “Sharp #” – Negoto (Buy It!)

“Sparkling Water” – Polysics (Buy It!)
“Star Bowling” – Peelander-Z (Buy It!)
“Left Unsaid” – Hemenway (Buy It!)

BREAK: “Neo Terra” – Hirotaka Miyamoto (Buy It!)

“Pinheel Surfer” – Scandal (Buy It!)
“Candy Candy” – Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (Buy It!)
“Spending All My Time” – Perfume (Buy It!)

BREAK: “Soulwind” – Hirotaka Miyamoto (Buy It!)

“Revival” – The Pillows (Buy It!)
“Please Please Pris” – Molice (Buy It!)
“Pop Tune” – Shonen Knife (Buy It!)

BREAK: “Ivory” – Hirotaka Miyamoto (Buy It!)

“Sayonara Sub Culture” – Urbangarde (Buy It!)
“Hatena” – Chatmonchy (Buy It!)
“Broken Mirror” – Boom Boom Satellites (Buy It!)

BREAK: “Sun Glider” – Hirotaka Miyamoto (Buy It!)