Interview July 10, 2026
At Japan Expo Paris 2026, NIPPONGAKU had the privilege of attending YOSHIKI’s press conference. We are pleased to share this interview with you.
YOSHIKI is a composer, classically trained pianist, rock drummer, and the leader of the rock groups X Japan and The Last Rockstars. He has been described as one of the most influential musicians and composers in Japanese history.
He is the first and only Japanese artist to be honoured with a hand-and-footprint ceremony at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood since the tradition began in 1927. TIME magazine named YOSHIKI one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2025.
X Japan has sold more than 30 million albums and singles and sold out the 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome a record-breaking 18 times. YOSHIKI is also the first Asian musician to have performed at major venues around the world including Madison Square Garden, Wembley Arena, Carnegie Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall.
In 2024, Variety honoured him for International Achievement in Music. In 2025, YOSHIKI was inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame.
In March 2026, YOSHIKI performed a piano-and-drums arrangement of the Japanese national anthem at the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix. In June, he became the first Japanese artist to receive the Medal of Honor from the Entertainment Community Fund for his charitable work. He also headlined Global Citizen Live: Tokyo, the organisation’s first live music event in Japan.
Following his appearance at Japan Expo’s 25th anniversary, YOSHIKI performed two sold-out classical concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles on July 16 and 17: “Scarlet Night” and “Violet Night.”
In October 2024, you underwent your third major cervical spine operation. In April, you returned to the stage with YOSHIKI Classical 2026 at Tokyo Garden Theater, and you are now preparing “Scarlet Night” and “Violet Night” in Los Angeles. After going through those major operations, how are you doing now?
The most recent neck operation was extremely painful. However, there were so many people waiting for me and for my music.
For me, nothing is impossible. After the third operation, I had to go through a long period of rehabilitation, but I wanted to recover and make music again.
I am here now thanks to my fans and all the people who have supported me. I have not accomplished any of this entirely by myself. Nothing can ever be taken for granted.
This is your eighth appearance at Japan Expo. When you first came in 2007, the event had around 70,000 visitors, whereas today it welcomes more than 200,000. How do you feel about the way Japan Expo has grown?
I’m very surprised that this is already my eighth time here. I’m very grateful that Japan Expo keeps inviting me back. I feel as though Japan Expo and I have grown together.
This time, I was surprised by the number of fans. It is amazing to see so many people attending Japan Expo. A new generation has also become very interested in Japanese culture.
Europe is a place that I really like, even though I live in the United States. There is something that keeps bringing me back here, and I will definitely return.
French fans are very grateful that you continue coming back to France and remain loyal to Japan Expo. Next week, you will perform two classical concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Could you bring this kind of classical concert to Paris? French audiences would love to see you perform here outside Japan Expo.
Yes. Next week, I’m going to perform two major shows in Los Angeles.
My schedule for this year is already very tight, but next year I would like to expand the tour to Southeast Asia and Europe. I’m fairly sure that I can bring this kind of show to Paris. I’m very confident that I will return to France with this concert.
Through your participation in Global Citizen Live: Tokyo, we could see that music and philanthropy are two things you hold very close to your heart. How did you feel about headlining the first Japanese edition of the event?
That was about three or four weeks ago. I headlined the first-ever Global Citizen live music event held in Japan, and I felt very grateful.
My schedule was extremely tight, so I didn’t think I would be able to make it. Somehow, at the very last minute, I managed to go. I’m very grateful that the organisers did not give up on me. They kept asking whether I could join them. I genuinely wanted to take part, but, towards the end, one problem after another kept occurring.
I have been involved in philanthropy for a long time. The reason is that I lost my father when I was young. I grew up without my father, and that left a very deep scar in my heart.
Because of the support I received from other people, I somehow managed to make it to where I am today. That made me want to support children who are living through unfortunate circumstances. That is why I established my nonprofit foundation almost two decades ago.
Since then, I have expanded my charitable work to include disaster relief and issues connected with climate change. More recently, I supported victims of the Los Angeles wildfires, as well as those affected by the floods in Thailand and Indonesia and the fire in Hong Kong.
Philanthropic work is extremely important to me. Sometimes, because of who I am and everything I have experienced, I ask myself: “Why do I still exist?” I question myself.
But as long as I am alive, I will continue trying to give. In some way, that helps me feel that it is all right for me to be alive, because I have been through many difficult periods.
People helped me become who I am today, so I want to give something back. I would like to continue doing this charitable work.
You have many projects, particularly projects connected with France, including your champagne, Baccarat crystal and fashion projects. How do you manage all of them?
It happens quite naturally, but it is also thanks to the connections and relationships I have developed. There are many more projects coming.
I was unable to attend an event for my champagne brand because the fires were happening in Los Angeles and I was fully involved in charitable work there.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend, but there are more new projects on the way. I will keep you updated.
In 2023, you released the film “YOSHIKI: Under the Sky.” Are you currently working on another film?
Yes. I’m currently working on two film projects as a director.
I’m not very good at acting, so I’m not planning to pursue an acting career. I’m developing one documentary and one feature film.
Thank you for asking me about that.
QUESTION BY NIPPONGAKU:
You have always been an artist who tries to remain ahead of his time. Looking towards the next five years, is there a dream or project that you have not yet been able to realise but now feel ready to bring to life?
Yes, of course.
First is my musical career, because I don’t think I have made it yet. I want to create and release more music and take it to the next level. That is my number-one goal.
Second, I will continue working on my fashion projects. I have two fashion brands: YOSHIKIMONO in Kyoto and MAISON YOSHIKI PARIS. I want to take both brands to the next level.
Third, I’m working on several film projects, and I want to make those happen.
Fourth, I’m currently working on several other projects that will be announced over the next few months.
Fifth, and last but not least, is my charitable work. I intend to do even more charity work.
So I’m going to be doing many things. That should be enough!
The last time you came to Japan Expo, you appeared alongside the group XY to promote them in France. You have always wanted to promote younger artists, including artists outside Japan. Are you still planning to produce or promote younger artists in the future?
Yes. If I have the opportunity to do that, I would love to.
The entertainment business is extremely competitive, so I’m always grateful when I have the opportunity to work with younger artists. At the same time, there are so many new artists emerging around the world. If I find the right opportunity, I would like to do it again.
Bringing new artists to the world is very difficult. It is not only difficult for the producer; the artist also has to be completely committed.
I’m very fortunate to be here, but at the same time, I worked extremely hard. I worked and worked and worked, year after year.
Becoming a rock star or a pop star does not happen overnight. You have to work incredibly hard as an artist. As a producer, you also have to work extremely hard to help an artist reach that point.
If I have the opportunity, I would like to produce other artists again.
Has your musical creative process evolved over time?
Completely, yes.
My background is in classical music and then rock music, but now I’m evolving into many different genres.
For the show I performed in Tokyo, I added EDM elements to my classical show. The concerts I’m going to perform in Los Angeles next week will be even more of a crossover. I think my music has evolved a great deal.
When I talk about the albums I’m creating, nobody believes me, but I’m currently creating three albums: a rock album, a classical album and a pop/EDM album.
So yes, I think my music is continuing to evolve.
Do you have any particular routine when you are in France or Paris?
Eating macarons! Macarons, yes.
I also walk around the Eiffel Tower. I love enjoying the views of Paris and the Seine.
But I would never swim in the Seine!
The Last Rockstars have been rather quiet recently. Can you tell us what is happening with the band?
Many projects were put on hold because of my neck surgery in October 2024.
Recently, I performed at Global Citizen Live: Tokyo, where HYDE, the vocalist of L’Arc-en-Ciel, joined me. MIYAVI has left The Last Rockstars, but we are still working on new songs together.
So something involving The Last Rockstars may happen. We will see.
I’m only now returning to the stage, so I’m going to move forward little by little.
YOSHIKI Official Site: https://www.yoshiki.net/
YOSHIKI YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/yoshikiofficial
YOSHIKI Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoshikiofficial/