Knowles cites Destiny's Child influence in Japan

Beyonce Knowles credits her girl band Destiny's Child with influencing Japanese culture, by increasing women's self-respect.

The sexy singer, 23, views the group's 2000 anthem Independent Women Part 1 as an important influence in making Asian females "proud" of their jobs.

She explains: "This Japanese girl came to us and said, after Independent Women, that a lot of Japanese young ladies started being more proud to have their own jobs. Because before, they didn't, you know. That's culture we changed. In our own little way. A little bit."