The band invented their own word, neokawaii, which is the opposite of the narrow beauty standards implied by the Japanese word for cute: kawaii.

"In Japan, kawaii is a word that a lot of people have been suffocated by," guitarist Kana said. "I think it's slightly different from Western beauty standards but not too far from it."

"Those who don't fit into these standards are automatically boxed into the word "unattractive" and to be called "unattractive" is the worst thing you can be called," keyboardist Mana said.

"None of us CHAI members fit into that standard and always felt a sense of discomfort. But we feel like it's OK to be all different types of kawaii."

The band will play in Launceston as part of Mona Foma, from January 10 to 20.

They sing about everything from dumplings to body hair in their infectious pop bops.

The band said their music was fun and free.

"It'll definitely be a performance you've never seen before, a sound you've never heard before but that makes you want to dance," said bassist Yuuki.

IN OTHER NEWS: