REGISTRATION FOR 2011 is open.

JAPAN! Summer Festival features a Japanese Idol competition, pitting ten competitors in a karaoke singing contest! 

Japanese and American singers alike can enter for the chance to win $1,000 cash.

To enter, pick your favorite Japanese language song and memorize it.  Ten finalists will compete in front of a live audience at the Summer Festival.  Three judges—music experts—will decide the finalists and the contest winner.


Registration ( Will be closed on August 6, 2011)
Registration is $10.  Registration and payment can be completed online or via mail.  Online registration can be completed here.  To pay the fee online, please make a donation of $10 through this webpage, and write "Japanese Idol" in the comments box.  Contestants must own their own recorded accompaniment prior to auditioning.  The CD track cannot contain any lead vocals.  A karaoke version of a song can be used.  If you have trouble finding a song, JASK can help you select or purchase your track for $10 (limited selection).  For more information, please contact programs@jask.org. 


Audition (Cancelled, no audition on August 6)
Each contestant can audition one two-minute selection from their chosen song.  Live auditions will be held on August 6 at the 'School' Japanese restaurant in Lexington.  Songs must be memorized before the audition.  Ten finalists will be chosen by our panel of three music experts. 


Judging
Our judges vote based on the following categories at the final competition during the JAPAN! Summer Festival.

35 points  -  Vocal Ability
15 points  -  Style/Performance
15 points  -  Audience Enthusiasm
15 points  -  Song Difficulty
10 points  -  Costume/Appearance

Registration
You can register from here.


Rules and Regulations
Nationality, gender, and age are not factors in judging.  All contestants must sing a Japanese-language song.  No lyrics sheets or recorded lyrics are allowed.  Contestant may not utilize live props, including backup singers/dancers.  Musical instruments can be used as props but not permitted as an accompaniment.  Contestant must own the karaoke track of their song.  Songs are limited to four minutes; any time over this limit will be faded out.  Vulgar or explicit lyrics and performances are not permitted.  The judges' decisions are final.