Japanese jazz, or Japazz, first emerged in the 1910s, introduced by Filipino musicians on transpacific liners, and quickly became popular in dance halls across cities like Osaka and Kobe by the 1920s, with many American jazz lyrics translated into Japanese. Despite being controversially labeled "enemy music" during World War II, its widespread appeal prevented a complete ban, and it later saw a resurgence in demand during the post-war American occupation. The Japanese economic miracle of the 1970s propelled its musicians to international renown, evolving the genre beyond mimicry into unique styles like free jazz, fusion, and bebop, creating a distinct Japanese jazz sound.
Today, while more of an alternative genre, Japan still boasts the largest proportion of jazz fans globally, fostering a unique "Jazu Kissa" (jazz café) culture, with over 600 dedicated listening spaces – including Chigusa, established in 1933 – where aficionados gather, sometimes in silence, to enjoy records.