No Nukes 2012

With moves already well underway to restart some of Japan's idling reactors, it looks like the country won't remain nuclear-free for much longer. In an unusually high-profile gig, a selection of Japanese musicians led by Yellow Magic Orchestra will be voting to ditch atomic energy altogether during a two-day festival at Makuhari Messe this July. YMO are due to play on both days, heading a lineup that ranges from folk songstress Chitose Hajime to sampler mavericks Hifana, via J-rock acts including Asian Kung-Fu Generation, The Hiatus and 9mm Parabellum Bullet. However, we're most excited about the presence of pioneering electronic act – and longstanding nuclear critics – Kraftwerk, who'll be making their first trip to Japan since 2004.

July 7: Analogfish, Asian Kung-Fu Generation, Chitose Hajime, The Hiatus, Hifana, Kraftwerk (NEW), Akihiro Namba, Soul Flower Union, YMO + Keigo Oyamada + Ren Takada + Tomohiko Gondo
July 8: Acidman, Brahman, Nakaido Reichi Band + Tortoise Matsumoto + Ryuichi Sakamoto, Tavito Nano + Yoshihide Otomo + Ryuichi Sakamoto + U-zhaan, 9mm Parabellum Bullet, No Nukes 2012 Kiyoshiro Imawano Special Session, Kazuyoshi Saito, Masayoshi Yamazaki, YMO + Keigo Oyamada + Ren Takada + Tomohiko Gondo, Ken Yokoyama