The program started broadcasting on October 7, 2005 and was hosted by Mai Takematsu, a Japanese harpist. The name "J-Melo" comes from the words, "Japan", "Melody", and "Mellow". The show is the first Japanese music program produced by NHK to be recorded entirely in English, and presents various Japanese music and musicians to the rest of the world through its global television station, NHK World. The show is also aired in Japan in English with Japanese subtitles.[1] On March 2007, Mai Takematsu left the show in order to pursue her medical career, and on April 2007, she was replaced by Japanese singer, melody. She hosted the show until September 2008, when it was announced that May J. will host the succeeding episodes. The new J-Melo debuted on October 2008, with May J. along with Shanti presenting the program, with an updated set and website and a new opening billboard. It is the first time that the program will have two permanent presenters. J-Pop, Enka to music of Japanese classical artists. Aside from music videos, the program features interviews and recorded performances. In 2009, J-Melo started a music project, a fictitious band called Rough-T with manga characters fronted by Takekawa Ai, produced by Marty Friedman, and with additional production by international independent artists kevn, Kirby and Crazy Dragon. J-Melo features comments from Dave Spector, who hosts most episodes together with May J.