mikako of Nagie Lane on the Mind-Set for Living Amid Diversity, Cultivated in Vienna: Billboard Japan Women In Music Interview

Billboard Japan spoke with Nagie Lane member mikako, the multilingual musician who emceed the Women In Music – EQUAL STAGE event held in June, for the latest WIM interview.

Japan’s WIM initiative launched in 2022 to celebrate artists, producers and executives who have made significant contributions to music and entertainment and inspired other women through their work, following the footsteps of Billboard’s annual WIM honors.

This interview series featuring female players in the Japanese entertainment industry is one of the highlights of Japan’s WIM project.

Presented by Billboard Japan and Spotify, the Women In Music – EQUAL STAGE event took place at SGC Hall Ariake in Tokyo on June 9, featuring a star-studded all-female lineup.

Beyond her impressions of this event, mikako spoke about the sense of gender equity she’s developed after spending her childhood in Vienna and her mindset around working in a mixed-gender group.

You emceed the live event Women In Music – EQUAL STAGE in June.

Could you start by telling us your impressions of the day? I felt it was a really meaningful event.

First of all, it became a chance for me to look back on things I’d experienced because I’m a woman — moments where I thought, “Wait, that was actually kind of uncomfortable,” or things that had stuck with me.

Personally, when something unpleasant happens to me, I tend to try to forget it quickly or just let it slide more often than not.

But when this event set out to get us thinking about gender equity for women, it made me realize, “Maybe there are other people who’ve felt this too.” It was a really good opportunity to feel that I’m not alone.

In particular, I thought the very act of inviting artists who are active on the world stage and holding an event like that is a big statement in itself, a good message to send.

I was happy to serve as emcee, and I hope this continues going forward.

If you don’t mind sharing, could you tell us more about what you meant by things that “stuck with you”? There’s this idea in society that women are quick to become emotional.

I’ve actually seen dramas that deal with that as a theme.