Which 1980 song gave The Vapors their only US Billboard Hot 100 hit?

The Vapors’ 1980 song “Turning Japanese” gave the English band its only US Billboard Hot 100 hit.

The track was released as a single from the group’s debut album, New Clear Days. Its sharp new-wave arrangement is built around an instantly recognizable synthesizer riff, driving drums, and lead singer David Fenton’s tense vocal delivery. The song became associated with the late-1970s and early-1980s new-wave scene.

“Turning Japanese” reached number 36 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It performed better in the United Kingdom, where it reached number three, and it also charted strongly in several other countries. The Vapors later released more singles, but none matched the international profile of their debut-era hit.

The title is often interpreted as a reference to masturbation, although the band members have offered varying comments over the years and the lyrics themselves do not state that explanation directly. The song’s public reputation therefore rests partly on an enduring interpretation rather than an explicit lyric. Its hook, however, is unmistakably tied to the band’s only major American chart appearance.