Got to keep up with the new. There is lots of good music coming from Japan in all styles: techno, trance, pop, punk, etc. For hardcore trance I listen to DJ Technetium. For cutesy diabetes inducing stuff I like UNDER17, Funta, Haruko Momoi and so on. For pop, KOTOKO does some great stuff.
Hate Utada Hikaru though. She is just a r~n~b imitator.

I must be getting old. I didn't understand a word of that post, apart from the rhythm and blues imitator

I was into Kpop for a while when I was living out that way but haven't been able to keep up. Do you know any good new sites/message boards for that kinda thing?

its definitely one of my guilty pleasures and i like it in small quantities but nothing beyond repeat listening.

I don't know of any groups or anything and have never given jpop a try but i'm super tempted. I have to admit, some anime opening themes are my favorite songs...I'm guessing those are Jpop. Wheres a good place to start breaking into this genre?