Time for a long overdue round-up of Lolita/Visual Kei/J-pop news! If you want to receive J-news in real time, you’re welcome to follow me on Twitter. Whenever I receive press releases, store specials, invites etc, I immediately share the news on Twitter.

† Hello Kitty iPhone application launched! You can dress her in Gothic Lolita & Harajuku fashions, and there are more Sanrio wallpapers and skins on the way.

† Mana-sama is coming to Los Angeles! His Visual Kei project, Moi dix Mois, will perform at the July 2-5 Anime Expo at the LA Convention Center. Will any of you be there?

† Poketo, designer of cute limited-edition art products and accessories, is camping out at Royal/T Maid Cafe in LA from June 27 to July 18. You’re invited to the Pop-Up Shop opening and a Karaoke Dance Party on July 10.

† Japan’s three “cute ambassadors”, which you may remember from this post, are raising some eyebrows among Japanese Diet members. What do you think – could there be “unwarranted criticism against overseas tours by ‘pretty ambassadors’ wearing very short skirts”?

† Digital music label HearJapan now has over forty Visual Kei artists under its umbrella! These include Deathgaze, Dolly, Ghost, Otokage, Angelique, Hizaki’s solo project, Versailles…

† Japan & Anime event promoter Sakura Syndrome recently had two successful parties in Greece, and will be announcing more soon. Their featured band for June is DARKSIDE MIRRORS – check them out!

† Lady GaGa wears Sweet Lolita dresses while on tour in Japan. What do you think – does she pull it off? Video here.

Finally, here are some funny “only in Japan” tidbits that I found on the Net…

† How to hide from the Yakuza? By flipping your skirt over your head and laying your bag on the ground. The criminals will think you’re a vending machine and mistake your purse for a pothole!

† I wish I saw this in Tokyo… a takarazuka production of Phoenix Wright. Yes, the DS video game… with singing and dancing and an all-female cast! Check out the video; “character designs and characters and music and settings all faithfully reproduced… pretty spectacular” according to Ronan.

† Above: the Happy Phantom meets Lolita Princess Mihoko and Goth Princess Zoe. Featured films include: Satan’s Bed, Scare Their Pants Off, The Best of Burlesque! (all by ‘Something Weird Video’) and even The Beatles ‘HELP!’

† And finally, in La Carmina news… if it fancies you, my Theme Restaurants book can be pre-ordered online (it comes out in July). You’re welcome to browse my garage sale for neat clothes ($10-20). And I just got exciting news about a potential appearance… on a major TV show… with someone hardcore… cross your fingers for me!

Did I leave out any exciting J-news? Comment below or Twitter me – I promise to reply!