Enka songs were first invented during the middle of the
Meiji restoration in
Japan by youngsters who sang for the rights of citizens to participate in
politics. The songs are sung similarly to how
minyous, or local songs, were sung.
Modern enka singers have nothing
political to sing about.
They are known to use a unique voice fluctuation technique called "
kobushi". Like
country music in
the States, enka doesn't appeal to a large population of
youth. (Although it seems like country music is more of a regional thing than strictly an age thing.)