The karaoke machine or Sparko Box created by Shigeichi Negishi started in 1967, when he was singing alone upon entering his office. At that time, a colleague mocked his bad singing. Negishi realized that he would definitely sound better if he had a backing track.

Even Negishi stopped making single boxes because he was tired of conflicting with musicians and the busyness of selling from door to door. Although he didn't make much money from this brilliant idea, Negishi is happy because his invention has developed and become something that is enjoyed and loved by many people.