In recent years, Japan's kawaii culture has exploded in popularity. WSJ's Eric Bellman speaks with author Manami Okazaki about how cuteness has gained a global fanbase.

In Japan, ‘cute’ is a big deal. Their own word for it, kawaii (“ka-why-ee”), is more of an ethos than an adjective. Shops and billboards are filled with big-eyed fluffy figures.

J-pop band Yoasobi will be headlining the annual Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago this Sunday, Aug. 4. First formed by Sony Music Entertainment Japan in 2019, the musical duo includes 23 ...