Interview with Mr. M

"When I was young, I was really influenced by Japanese culture. I grew up watching a lot of anime like Doraemon and Slam Dunk, and I also loved Japanese music. Many well-known songs from Hong Kong pop singers I listened to were originally written in Japan, so I felt a strong pull toward Japanese culture, music, and lifestyle. That interest made me want to come here to study.

At first, my plan was to go to graduate school in music, since back then I thought I would become a piano teacher. But over time, I realized classical piano wasn’t really what I wanted. It felt too rigid, and I didn’t see myself as the type who could enjoy a very steady, predictable life as a teacher. I wanted more freedom and creativity. I began to explore jazz, R&B, and other styles, and I got interested in arranging and composing music for performers.

I tried out a music program here, but the courses were too basic for me. Around that time, I also started doing some small business work to earn money. What started as just a way to support myself unexpectedly grew into something much bigger—I was making more than I imagined. I had to choose: either keep chasing an uncertain music career elsewhere, or build a stable life in Japan where my income was already solid. In the end, I decided to stay here.

These days I don’t do music professionally anymore, but it’s still a passion. I play around with arranging and composing R&B or jazz tracks on my own, sometimes just experimenting with software and learning online. For me now, music is more of a personal interest than a career."