Shingo Katori, a singer, actor and televison host, speaks during an interview in Tokyo, Japan, on Jan. 15, 2018. Katori, as a member of SMAP - one of Japan's most successful boy bands - and decades as a ubiquitous TV presenter, finally decided in November it was time to get an Instagram account. A small step for one celebrity highlights a sea change for the advertising industry in Japan, which has lagged much of the developed world in switching from old to new media. Photographer: Kentaro Takahashi/Bloomberg
Shingo Katori commanded the adoration of millions of fans across Asia as a member of SMAP, one of Japan’s most successful boy bands. After decades as a ubiquitous TV presence, he finally decided in November it was time to get an Instagram account.
A small step for one celebrity highlights a sea change for the advertising industry in Japan, which has lagged much of the developed world in switching from old to new media. Katori, now a solo performer, has promoted everything from beer to cars on TV – now he also has more than a million followers on Instagram alone.
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