I have wanted to respond to Misa's J-music Survey for quite a while now, I'm just being slow about it. My problem: It takes me a while to remember what my first J-music really was! I think I finally got it, now.

1. What was the first Japanese song you ever listened to?
This is going to be a bit scattered, since I can't quite remember exactly myself. When I was very little, I used to be obsessed with My Neighbor Totoro (Tonari no Totoro). Somewhere along the lines a relative gave me the Japanese Soundtrack to it, so "Sanpo" was probably my very first Japanese song.  "Sanpo" is sung my Azumi Inoue, but my only knowledge of her is that she sang the theme to Totoro!  When I got older, I watched a bit more anime, and somehow got into L'arc~en~ciel. That didn't last long...Eventually I stumbled upon Ayumi Hamasaki. I loved her. I still like her, but my love dimmed...My first song from her was probably "You" or "WE WISH", I can't remember exactly.

2. Did it inspire you to like that group/singer, or did it turn you away?
Well, yes. I still enjoy Ayumi Hamasaki. One of my teachers at school went to Japan a while back and asked me if I wanted anything. Nothing special was coming out except for Ayumi's "GUILTY", so I had her get that for me. She actually turned out to love Ayumi Hamasaki XD. Back on topic, it definitely inspired me to search for more Jpop. Eventually, I was introduced to Morning Musume when I talked to a girl from Japan who had been dragged to a camp I was at with her cousin XD We couldn't really communicate, but her cousin would sometimes translate for me. Eventually I got the idea that she really liked Morning Musume and W-inds. I looked up both when I got back from camp. I fell in love with Momusu (obviously), but not so much W-inds. And that is the magical tale of how Hotaru discovered Momusu.

3. What is the one song that you have been listening to for the longest time?
Well, sometimes I get sick of certain songs and take them off my iPod, etc., but  I'm pretty sure "Shabondama" and "The MANPOWER!!!" have stood the test of time, along with a few songs by Flow "DAYS" and  "COLORS" (Although COLORS has not been out for all too long.) ...Also probably "Ride on Shooting Star" by The Pillows. Wow, this is a lot. I'm really now sure which song I have listened to the longest. But now I'm thinking it might just be "Sanpo"...haha.

4. What group/singer have you liked the longest?
I guess Ayumi Hamasaki might be the longest. I have liked FLOW for quite some time, also...but I don't really follow either. So, I would probably have to just say "Morning Musume", since I follow their music releases and whatnot.

5. What is the song with the most plays on your itunes/media player?
Hm...It says "Shabondama" By Morning Musume.

6. Is that song your favorite?
Its definitely high up there, in the top three. It was one of my first Morning Musume songs, so it has a 'place in my heart'.

7. If not, what is?
Well...a couple of my other favorites are "The MANPOWER!!!" , "HYBRID RAINBOW" by The Pillows , and "Twinkle Star" by HALCALI.

8. Is there any one group that you can listen to all/most of the songs by? If so, who?
I can probably listen to just about any Aa! song XD. Haha, although I love Aa!, I don't think that counts...um...I don't think I can listen to every song on most albums, but...I can listen to most HALCALI songs, so I think HALCALI is the winner here.

9. What is your favorite agency?
Well, looking back on it now, I guess I'm going to have to say Sony Music Entertainment Japan (SMEJ). Its weird, but as I was looking around, I really like a lot of the artists that they have (YUI, HALCALI, UVERworld)...and although I love Hello! Project, I don't love the way UFA does things :D

10. What is your favorite group/singer?
My favorite singer is probably actually Vanessa Carlton right now...but my favorite group right now is Morning Musume (haha.)

I hope this has inspired Misa? Although...perhaps it didn't. I apologize if it didn't!

-Hotaru <3