Who Is Travis Japan and Why Is Everyone so Excited?

Kenyth Mogan July 12, 2022

Travis Japan may not be a name too many Americans are familiar with, but that’s about to change. Formed in Tokyo in 2012 when they were still just children, the group will have their first U.S. television appearance tonight, July 12th, as one of the acts showcased on NBC’s America’s Got Talent.

Travis Japan, from left: G, Shime, Shizu, Chaka, Noel, Machu, Umi

Hand-picked by Johnny Kitagawa, Japan’s biggest idol maker, and world-renowned choreographer Travis Payne, one of their greatest strengths is in their dancing.

In addition to individual appearances in film and television, as a group, the seven members of Travis Japan have been a part of sold-out stage productions, music festivals, and were the special guest for Austin Mahone on the Japanese leg of his 2019 Dirty Work world tour.

One of dozens of groups currently active under Johnny’s Juniors, Travis Japan knew something different had to be done to set them apart. So, in an unprecedented move, they left their family and everything familiar to them in Tokyo for the new and wild unknowns of Los Angeles.

Once here, they wasted no time in getting to work.

They placed third in the World of Dance Championships in Orange County (with a routine produced by the group’s leader, Chaka), appeared at Anime Expo in downtown Los Angeles, and even got to experience their first-ever outdoor live performance as part of the Rising Japan Music Fest L.A.

One of their strengths is their ability not only to perform as a team but to give and take advice as one as well. They understand that each one of them has different strengths that they use to better the group as a whole. Not a single member considers himself better than any of the others – though every one of them will tell you that the other members of the group are better than they are.

With any luck, their appearance on AGT will not only give Travis Japan the boost they need to get a coveted CD debut, but also open the doors for other Johnny’s acts to follow.