寺田創一

Soichi Terada (Japanese: 寺田 創一, Hepburn: Terada Sōichi; born March 19, 1965) is a Japanese electronic music composer, best known for his work in the Ape Escape video game series. He started producing music in 1989 as well as remixing singers such as Nami Shimada. He and fellow producer Shinichiro Yokota formed Far East Recording in 1990, releasing various albums and singles. After releasing the album Sumo Jungle in 1996, he composed the soundtrack for Ape Escape in 1999. In 2014, "The Far East Transcripts" EP was released, sparking interest in Terada's work. A year after, the album Sounds from the Far East was released, which led to him touring and creating more music. Terada was born on March 19, 1965, in Tokyo, Japan, playing the electronic organ when he was younger. He majored in computer science and electronic organ at the University of Electro-Communications. In 1987, he traveled to New York City as a part of a three-piece band and "fell in love with the city and its distinctive sound." When he returned to Tokyo, he started producing house music and trying to emulate the city's style, sending demos to labels like Sleeping Bag Records but with no avail. That same year, Terada met Shinichiro Yokota at a Vestax DJ Contest, where Terada introduced Yokota to house music synthesizers and letting him use his instruments. In 1989, he produced the song "Sun Shower" for singer Nami Shimada, which was remixed by Larry Levan and Mark Kamins. A year after, he and Yokota formed the label Far East Recording after Terada graduated university, releasing their first album called Far East Recording in 1992. In 1997, he composed for the Japanese drama Psychometrer Eiji alongside Chuei Yoshikawa and DJ Krush. Terada started composing soundtracks for video games in 1998, with his first for Wangan Trial. In 1999, Terada was given an opportunity to compose the music for Ape Escape after a game director listened to his track "Sumo Jungle." When he learned what the game was about, Terada was "really excited" as he played on the PlayStation and was shown demo footage of the game. A year after, he composed for the Japanese version of the PlayStation 2 game Fantavision. In 2001, he created the project Omodaka while trying to create a "boat racing song." He released the first album, Cantata No. 147, under the project in 2006. Japanese folk singer Akiko Kanazawa joined the project as the genre transitioned to folktronica in 2009. That same year, he donned a white mask and a Miko outfit. Under the project, Terada writes about the prostitution during the Edo period and gambling in Japan and starts with a backing tracks first instead of lyrics. In 2014, London-based Japanese label Hhatri released The Far East Transcripts, an EP which included three of Yokota's tracks and one of Terada's tracks. The EP sparked renewed interest in Japanese house music, especially Yokota and Terada's works. In 2015, Dutch label Rush Hour reached out to Terada if he wanted to release a compilation album of his work, to which he agreed. They released a compilation album called Sounds from the Far East, which was compiled by German-born Korean DJ Hunee. The album's release led to Terada producing more music and going on tours, including Europe and North America for the first time in 2016. In 2017, he toured with Nick Dwyer of Weird Together in India, which was hosted by the Red Bull Music Academy. Terada is influenced by house and hip hop, as well as bands such as RC Succession, Akiko Yano and Yellow Magic Orchestra. He has since moved away from hip-hop to more sample-based and digital production. He is also influenced by foreign people, such as English singer Sheila Chandra. Terada's musical style focuses on house music and jungle. In an interview with Vice, he revealed that he uses the stereotypes of Asia when running the Far East Label, with Terada also saying that he is happy when someone tells him that he combines "Asian elements" with house music. As Omodaka, he is influenced by YMCK, traditional Japanese music, and retro game sounds. He uses consoles such as the Game Boy, Nintendo DS, PSP, and Korg Kaossilator. McElhone, James (July 10, 2019). "House music and video games: why these Japanese producers remain fresh". Skiddle. Sunda, Mike (October 22, 2019). "The driving force of Shinichiro Yokota and Soichi Terada". DJ Mag. Archived from the original on 2024-04-14. Retrieved 2025-11-26. Ball, Jack; Moss, Liam. "Interview: Soichi Terada". Finding Figaro. Archived from the original on 2020-07-26. Retrieved November 26, 2025. Girou, Baptiste (July 21, 2016). "Soichi Terada on Far East flavours, Video Games and the House revolution". Inverted Audio. Archived from the original on 2025-08-15. 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Collaboration live for the first time in nineteen years by two people]. Qetic (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2024-10-15. Retrieved November 26, 2025. "Artist To Artist: Shinichiro Yokota & Soichi Terada". Ransom Note. 2019. Helfet, Gabriela (September 13, 2019). "Japanese house legend Shinichiro Yokota compiles 20 year retrospective on 2xLP". The Vinyl Factory. Cetin, Marissa (July 18, 2019). "Ultimate Yokota 1991 - 2019 brings together 12 tracks—including a new one with Soichi Terada—by "one of Japan's unsung heroes of House."". Resident Advisor. "Soichi Terada". Resident Advisor. Johannsen, Finn (April 2, 2015). "Soichi Terada – Sounds From The Far East". James, David (September 16, 2016). "Soichi Terada Presents Sounds From The Far East". Optimistic Underground. "SOICHI TERADA – Sounds From The Far East Vinyl 2LP". Turntable Lab. Chacón, Itza; Franco, Cynthia (October 31, 2017). 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Sakai, Masataka (October 28, 2019). "Omodaka 『Gujoh Bushi』 A new form of Japanese music that fuses tradition and innovation, "Chimera folk songs"". Mikiki. Hughes, Felicity (July 23, 2010). "Omodaka puts the 'bleeps' in 'Aaaaaiiia'". The Japan Times. Unicomb, Matt (November 2, 2014). "Tracks from Shinichiro Yokota and founder Soichi Terada, including the well-known "Do It Again."". Resident Advisor. Coultate, Aaron (December 16,