Mari Hamada (Japanese: 浜田麻里, Hepburn: Hamada Mari; born July 18, 1962) is a Japanese rock singer and songwriter. Having…Mari Hamada (Japanese: 浜田麻里, Hepburn: Hamada Mari; born July 18, 1962) is a Japanese rock singer and songwriter. Having performed in bands since high school, Hamada made her professional debut as a solo act in 1983. She quickly became known as the "Queen of Heavy Metal" (ヘヴィメタルの女王, Hevī Metaru no Joō). In 2018, readers and professional musicians voted Hamada the eighth best vocalist in the history of hard rock and heavy metal in We Rock magazine's "Metal General Election". In 2019, she became the first Japanese musician to top the vocalist category of heavy metal magazine Burrn!'s readers poll in its 36 year history. Throughout her career, she has released 25 singles and 23 studio albums.
Fumiya Fujii (藤井 フミヤ, Fujii Fumiya; born July 11, 1962) is a Japanese musician, actor and former lead singer of The…Fumiya Fujii (藤井 フミヤ, Fujii Fumiya; born July 11, 1962) is a Japanese musician, actor and former lead singer of The Checkers born in Kurume. His younger brother is Naoyuki Fujii, a musician and former sax player for The Checkers. His eldest son is Fuji TV announcer Kōki Fujii. He formerly belonged to Yamaha Music Foundation and Three Star Pro (both during the Checkers era), and now he is part of a private agency, FFM Co.
Shoko Sawada (沢田 聖子, Sawada Shōko; born March 13, 1962) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, reporter, and radio…Shoko Sawada (沢田 聖子, Sawada Shōko; born March 13, 1962) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, reporter, and radio personality. Since the start of her professional singing career in 1980, Sawada has recorded over 27 studio albums.
Yutaka Tadokoro (田所 豊, Tadokoro Yutaka; born March 12, 1962), known professionally as Diamond Yukai (ダイアモンド✡ユカイ…Yutaka Tadokoro (田所 豊, Tadokoro Yutaka; born March 12, 1962), known professionally as Diamond Yukai (ダイアモンド✡ユカイ, Daiamondo Yukai), is a Japanese rock singer and actor. He was born in Tanashi, Tokyo, Japan. He is the vocalist for the Japanese rock band Red Warriors. He has acted in the Hollywood films Tokyo Pop and Lost in Translation and is often seen on television variety shows.
Noriko Kamachi (蒲池 法子, Kamachi Noriko; born 10 March 1962), known professionally as Seiko Matsuda (松田 聖子, Matsuda…Noriko Kamachi (蒲池 法子, Kamachi Noriko; born 10 March 1962), known professionally as Seiko Matsuda (松田 聖子, Matsuda Seiko), is a Japanese singer-songwriter, known for being one of the most popular Japanese idols of the 1980s. Since then, she has continued to release new singles and albums, put on annual summer concert tours, and perform in winter dinner shows. She makes frequent appearances in high-profile TV commercials and movies, and on radio. Her alma mater is Chuo University. Due to her popularity in the 1980s and her long career, she has been dubbed the "Eternal Idol" by the Japanese media. In January 2011, the Japanese music television program Music Station listed her as the 2nd best-selling idol of all time in Japan, with 29,510,000 records sold. She placed behind pop group SMAP and ahead of Akina Nakamori, her biggest rival of the 1980s. Matsuda once held the record of 25 number-one hits for musicians from 1983 to 2000 (broken by B'z) and for female solo artists (broken by Ayumi Hamasaki in 2010). Matsuda was a performer on the finale of Kouhaku (Red White Music Battle) in 2014, 2015 and 2025, the prestigious NHK New Year's Eve Music show on which she has performed 25 times, as of 2025.
Noritake Kinashi (木梨 憲武, Kinashi Noritake; born 9 March 1962) is a Japanese comedian, actor, singer and artist. He is…Noritake Kinashi (木梨 憲武, Kinashi Noritake; born 9 March 1962) is a Japanese comedian, actor, singer and artist. He is the short member of the comedy duo Tunnels, with whom he was a member of the pop group Yaen. His partner is Takaaki Ishibashi. He is the executive vice president of the entertainment office Arrival. Kinashi's wife is actress Narumi Yasuda. His cousin is Liberal Democratic Party Suginami lawmaker Morisho Kinashi.
Mariko Tone (刀根 麻理子, Tone Mariko; born March 3, 1962 in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese singer, actor and…Mariko Tone (刀根 麻理子, Tone Mariko; born March 3, 1962 in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese singer, actor and essayist. Tone also covers children's songs under the pseudonym Hanako Nohara. Tone sings in Japanese and, to a limited extent, in English. One of her songs titled "Derringer" became an opening theme to anime series Cat's Eye.
Tomoyasu Hotei (布袋 寅泰, Hotei Tomoyasu; born February 1, 1962), also known simply as Hotei ( HOH-tay), is a Japanese…Tomoyasu Hotei (布袋 寅泰, Hotei Tomoyasu; born February 1, 1962), also known simply as Hotei ( HOH-tay), is a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter, composer, record producer and actor. With a career spanning more than 40 years, Hotei claims record sales of over 40 million copies and has collaborated with artists from around the world. Hotei first rose to prominence in the 1980s as the guitarist for Boøwy, one of Japan's most popular rock bands, before starting a solo career. In 2003, he was ranked number 70 on HMV's list of the 100 most important Japanese pop acts. He ranked second in a 2011 poll on who the Japanese people thought was the best guitarist to represent Japan. An iconic artist in his native Japan, he moved to London in 2005 and continues to perform and release music globally. Hotei's song "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" has been featured in numerous films, commercials, video games, and events, including Quentin Tarantino's feature film Kill Bill.
Hikaru Kurosaki (黒崎 輝; January 31, 1962 – July 2, 2026), born Seiki Kurosaki (黒崎 誠輝), was a Japanese actor and a…Hikaru Kurosaki (黒崎 輝; January 31, 1962 – July 2, 2026), born Seiki Kurosaki (黒崎 誠輝), was a Japanese actor and a stuntman. He is best known for starring as Juspion in the 1985 tokusatsu series MegaBeast Investigator Juspion.
Takako Okamura (岡村孝子, Okamura Takako; born January 29, 1962) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. She made her debut in…Takako Okamura (岡村孝子, Okamura Takako; born January 29, 1962) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. She made her debut in 1982 as part of the folk duo Aming (あみん, amin) with the single Matsu-wa that became a success in Japan. The duo disbanded in 1984, and Okamura started a successful solo career in 1985. By 2006, she had released 15 original albums and 30 singles. She put her solo career on hold and reformed the duo Aming in 2007 for its 25th anniversary. On April 21, 2019, it was announced that Okamura was diagnosed with acute leukemia.
Tomoko Tane (種ともこ, Tane Tomoko; born November 7, 1961) is a Japanese singer, songwriter, and arranger. She debuted in…Tomoko Tane (種ともこ, Tane Tomoko; born November 7, 1961) is a Japanese singer, songwriter, and arranger. She debuted in 1985 and has recorded various singles and albums. She sung "Mermaid in Blue" for the television film Sango-sho Densetsu: Aoi Umi no Erufii (Coral Reef Legend: Elfie of the Blue Sea). In 1990, her album Ureshii Hitokoto (うれしいひとこと) peaked at position five on the Japanese charts. She sang the opening song "Message #9" and credits track "Love Song" of the 1998 anime series Gasaraki. She also is the performer in "Rainbow Song", the ending theme to the Japanese dub of The Little Polar Bear.
Kanako Wada (Japanese: 和田 加奈子, Hepburn: Wada Kanako; born 28 October 1961) is a Japanese singer and songwriter.…Kanako Wada (Japanese: 和田 加奈子, Hepburn: Wada Kanako; born 28 October 1961) is a Japanese singer and songwriter. Originally studying classical piano, she studied sculpture and managed the rugby team at the Tokyo University of the Arts before being scouted at a concert she organized. Debuting in November 1985, she released seven original albums and eleven singles with Toshiba EMI before retiring in 1991. She was also a television personality who worked as Akira Inoue's assistant on NHK's Best Sound II , as well as a radio personality at networks such as Asahi Broadcasting Corporation and Nippon Cultural Broadcasting. Her music has received renewed attention amidst the city pop boom of the 2010s and 2020s.
Michie Tomizawa (富沢 美智恵, Tomizawa Michie; born October 20, 1961) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and singer born…Michie Tomizawa (富沢 美智恵, Tomizawa Michie; born October 20, 1961) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and singer born in Maruko, Nagano Prefecture and raised in Shinmachi, Gunma.
Miyuki Matsuda (松田美由紀, Matsuda Miyuki; born October 6, 1961) is a Japanese actress, the widow of Yūsaku Matsuda, and…Miyuki Matsuda (松田美由紀, Matsuda Miyuki; born October 6, 1961) is a Japanese actress, the widow of Yūsaku Matsuda, and the sister of Mami Kumagai. At the age of 17 she appeared in a television series, Tantei Monogatari, starring Yūsaku Matsuda, who was then married. They started a relationship and, after Masuda divorced his first wife, Michiko, they married in 1983. Their son Ryuhei Matsuda was born that year. They had two more children: a second son, Shota Matsuda, born in 1985, and a daughter, Yūki Matsuda, born in 1988. She appeared as Ryo Ishibashi's dead wife in the movie Audition (1999). In 2009 she was the executive producer for the documentary Soul Red: Yusaku Matsuda about her husband's life and death. In 2008, she published a book of photographs of the model Hitomi Katayama, Watakushi no suki na kodoku.
Kiichi Nakai (中井 貴一, Nakai Kiichi; born September 18, 1961) is a Japanese actor. His name was given by Yasujirō Ozu.…Kiichi Nakai (中井 貴一, Nakai Kiichi; born September 18, 1961) is a Japanese actor. His name was given by Yasujirō Ozu. His father, Keiji Sada, also a movie actor, died when Nakai was only two years old. Nakai started his acting career while he was still in university and was awarded the Rookie of the Year at the Japan Academy Awards in 1981. He won the Japan Academy Best Supporting Actor award in 1994 (for 47 Ronin) and Best Actor award in 2003 (for When the Last Sword Is Drawn). He also won the award for best supporting actor at the 19th Hochi Film Award for 47 Ronin. In 2003 he played a Japanese delegate to a Chinese emperor of the Tang dynasty in Warriors of Heaven and Earth. Though a few of his lines are in Japanese, most are in Mandarin. His older sister, Kie Nakai, is also an actress.
Eiko Kawashima (川島 栄子, Kawashima Eiko; born 31 August 1961), better known as Anri (杏里), is a Japanese pop singer from…Eiko Kawashima (川島 栄子, Kawashima Eiko; born 31 August 1961), better known as Anri (杏里), is a Japanese pop singer from Yamato, Kanagawa Prefecture. In a career spanning more than 40 years, she achieved commercial success and popularity in the city pop music scene during the 1980s.
For the wrestler, see Keiko Saito (wrestler). Keiko Saito (斉藤 慶子, Saitō Keiko; born 14 July 1961) is a Japanese actress…For the wrestler, see Keiko Saito (wrestler). Keiko Saito (斉藤 慶子, Saitō Keiko; born 14 July 1961) is a Japanese actress and tarento.
Ayako Fuji (藤あや子, Fuji Ayako) (real name Manami Fujimura (藤村真奈美, Fujimura Manami), née Takahashi (高橋), born May 10…Ayako Fuji (藤あや子, Fuji Ayako) (real name Manami Fujimura (藤村真奈美, Fujimura Manami), née Takahashi (高橋), born May 10, 1961) is a Japanese enka singer. She is signed onto Sony Music Japan. Born in Kakunodate, Akita, Fuji graduated from Akita Prefectural Kakunodate South High School.
Jun Togawa (戸川純, Togawa Jun; born 31 March 1961) is a Japanese singer, musician and actress. She is one of the greatest…Jun Togawa (戸川純, Togawa Jun; born 31 March 1961) is a Japanese singer, musician and actress. She is one of the greatest influences on Japanese avant-garde music and media, and her career spans over approximately 45 years. Her close friends over the years include Susumu Hirasawa. She was mainly active from 1981 to 1995.
Toshihiko Tahara (田原俊彦; born February 28, 1961) is a Japanese idol singer, and solo vocalist, affiliated with Johnny &…Toshihiko Tahara (田原俊彦; born February 28, 1961) is a Japanese idol singer, and solo vocalist, affiliated with Johnny & Associates. In the 1980s he had a number of number 1 singles in Japan. He was awarded a Japan Music Award in 1983 for the song "Saraba... Natsu" (さらば・・・夏). He was part of the Tanokin Trio.
Hideaki Tokunaga (德永 英明, Tokunaga Hideaki; born February 27, 1961 in Yanagawa, Fukuoka) is a Japanese pop…Hideaki Tokunaga (德永 英明, Tokunaga Hideaki; born February 27, 1961 in Yanagawa, Fukuoka) is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter. Although Tokunaga failed to pass the test of Star Tanjō! in 1982, he debuted as a recording singer in 1986. After he released hit songs such as "Yume o Shinjite" (the first ending theme of the anime series Dragon Quest) and "Kowarekake no Radio" in 1990, his single "Wednesday Moon" reached No. 1 on Oricon weekly charts in 1991. He was also known for Vocalist album series, comprising his covers of female songs. Vocalist, Vocalist 2, Vocalist 3 and Vocalist 4 were released in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010 respectively. Tokunaga is the first male artist to have at least one album to reach the number-one position on the Japanese Oricon weekly charts for four decades (1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s). Tokunaga also composed other singers' songs such as KinKi Kids' "Eien Ni" (from their 2007 album Phi). Tokunaga gained high popularity in Hong Kong due to huge number of songs covered in Cantonese version by superstars such as Alan Tam, Leslie Cheung, Jackie Cheung, and Leon Lai.
Hironobu Kageyama (Japanese: 影山 ヒロノブ, Hepburn: Kageyama Hironobu; real name written 景山 浩宣, born February 18, 1961) is a…Hironobu Kageyama (Japanese: 影山 ヒロノブ, Hepburn: Kageyama Hironobu; real name written 景山 浩宣, born February 18, 1961) is a Japanese musician, singer and composer. He is best known for his work on anime, video game and tokusatsu soundtracks. Kageyama first rose to prominence as a teenager in the 1970s as lead singer of the rock band Lazy. Following their breakup in 1981, Kageyama began a solo career. He struggled until finding major success in the mid-1980s, when he started singing theme songs for anime and tokusatsu television shows. The music to such programs is called anison in Japan, and Kageyama became immensely popular, earning the nickname "Prince of the Anison World" (アニソン界のプリンス, Anison-kai no Purinsu). Kageyama's best known works include the title tracks for Dengeki Sentai Changeman and Hikari Sentai Maskman, "Saint Shinwa ~Soldier Dream~" for Saint Seiya, and "Cha-La Head-Cha-La" for Dragon Ball Z. Lazy reunited in 1997, and Kageyama briefly worked with Masaaki Endoh as the duo Metal Brothers before they formed the anison supergroup JAM Project in 2000 with several other vocalists.
Mako Ishino (石野真子/眞子; born January 31, 1961), is a Japanese singer and actress. After being discovered by the…Mako Ishino (石野真子/眞子; born January 31, 1961), is a Japanese singer and actress. After being discovered by the talent-search show Star Tanjō!, she received a newcomer award at the 20th Japan Record Awards (1978). She has been selected to compete twice on the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen. Born in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, she is the elder sister of actresses Yōko Ishino and Atsuko Ishino. Ishino is affiliated with From First Production Co., Ltd.
Eri Sugai (菅井えり, Sugai Eri; 1961 – December 21, 2016) was a Japanese vocalist, composer and arranger. She has been…Eri Sugai (菅井えり, Sugai Eri; 1961 – December 21, 2016) was a Japanese vocalist, composer and arranger. She has been compared to Enya in that she "multitracked her voice into angelic choruses, soaring over spare but emotional arrangements", She lent her talents to more than 1,000 television commercials, and produced five solo albums, in addition to one under the name of Stella Mirus and two with her husband, Itaru Watanabe, from 2000 until her death. In 2017, Universal Japan released her album, Skip!, recorded in 1986, a 10-track album of 'Light Mellow' music. There is also an edition called Skip! +4 which contains four bonus tracks.
Missa Johnouchi (城之内 ミサ; Jōnouchi Misa) (born 1960) is a composer, pianist, conductor and singer who creates…Missa Johnouchi (城之内 ミサ; Jōnouchi Misa) (born 1960) is a composer, pianist, conductor and singer who creates Asian-styled new-age music. Missa Johnouchi was named UNESCO Artist for Peace in August 2006, and works to commemorate the 1300th anniversary of the Capital of Nara Heijo-Kyo. It was the first time a Japanese female composer and conductor was appointed a UNESCO Artist for Peace.
Tarako (たらこ, Tarako; December 17, 1960 – March 4, 2024) was a Japanese actress, voice actress, singer and narrator. Her…Tarako (たらこ, Tarako; December 17, 1960 – March 4, 2024) was a Japanese actress, voice actress, singer and narrator. Her debut voice acting role was as a preschooler in Urusei Yatsura. She is most famously known as the original voice actress of Momoko "Maruko" Sakura, the titular character in the long-running television anime series Chibi Maruko-chan from its debut in 1990 until its conclusion in 1992 and its subsequent revival, which premiered in 1995 and continues to this day. Other notable roles of hers are as Monokuma in the Danganronpa franchise from 2016 to 2024, Frakenrobo in the long running children's anime series Let's Go! Anpanman, Kirara in InuYasha, the titular character of Magical Taruruto-kun, Melody in Hunter × Hunter, and Altena in Noir. She was employed by the talent management firm Troubadour Musique Office.
Mayumi Suzuki (すずきまゆみ, Suzuki Mayumi; born August 8, 1970) is a Japanese voice actress who graduated from the Tokyo…Mayumi Suzuki (すずきまゆみ, Suzuki Mayumi; born August 8, 1970) is a Japanese voice actress who graduated from the Tokyo College of Music as a vocalist. She is best known for dubbing over a number of Disney heroines.
Naomi Kawashima (川島 なお美, Kawashima Naomi; November 10, 1960 – September 24, 2015) was a Japanese actress, singer and…Naomi Kawashima (川島 なお美, Kawashima Naomi; November 10, 1960 – September 24, 2015) was a Japanese actress, singer and radio entertainer. She was born on November 10, 1960, in the city of Moriyama, Aichi (now Moriyama-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture), Japan and graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University. She made her singing debut in 1979; in 1982 she got an early break on the television show Owarai Manga Dōjō. Noteworthy radio and television appearances include Miss DJ Request Parade (radio, 1981), Expo Scramble (1985), Wakamono no Subete (1994), Meibugyō Tōyama no Kin-san (1995), Shitsurakuen (1997), Magarikado no Kanojo (2005) and Shichinin no Onna Bengoshi (2006). She is the subject of several photo books, including Woman (1993). Despite Kawashima's impressive performance in Toshiharu Ikeda's 1997 theatrical film The Key, the movie has become known as one of the first two Japanese film to show non-fogged full frontal female nudity after the rules against depicting pubic hair had been relaxed. Kawashima died on September 24, 2015, from bile duct cancer. She was 54.
Hiroyuki Sanada (Japanese: 真田 広之; né Shimozawa; born 12 October 1960) is a Japanese actor and martial artist. He has…Hiroyuki Sanada (Japanese: 真田 広之; né Shimozawa; born 12 October 1960) is a Japanese actor and martial artist. He has received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a British Academy Television Award, a Japan Academy Film Prize, two Hochi Film Awards, a Mainichi Film Award, three Blue Ribbon Awards for Best Actor, four Kinema Junpo Awards, and honors from the Yokohama Film Festival. In 2018, he received the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon from the Japanese government for his "artistic developments, improvements, and accomplishments", and in 2025, Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Sanada began his career in the mid-1960s at the age of five, and was the protégé of actor Sonny Chiba. A black belt in Kyokushin karate, he initially gained prominence for his roles in Japanese and Hong Kong action films, later establishing himself as a dramatic actor. He is best known to international audiences for his roles as Ryuji Takayama in Ring (1998) where he played alongside Nanako Matsushima, who was also his co-star in a 1997 television drama A Story of Love. His role as the Fool in a production of the Shakespeare play King Lear (1999–2000) gave him theatrical attention, and led to his appointment as an Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2002. Beginning in the 2000s, Sanada grew his Hollywood presence with such roles as Seibei Iguchi in The Twilight Samurai (2002), Ujio in The Last Samurai (2003), and Kenji in Rush Hour 3 (2007). Sanada's appearances in Hollywood films include Sunshine (2007), Speed Racer (2008), The Wolverine, 47 Ronin (both 2013), Minions (2015), Life (2017), Avengers: Endgame (2019), Army of the Dead (2021), as Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion in Mortal Kombat (2021), Bullet Train (2022), and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). He also had roles on Lost (2010) and the HBO series Westworld (2018–2020). Sanada gained awards for his role in the FX historical drama series Shōgun (2024) as Yoshii Toranaga, a fictionalized version of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Kyosuke Himuro (Japanese: 氷室 京介, Hepburn: Himuro Kyōsuke; born October 7, 1960, in Takasaki, Gunma) is a Japanese…Kyosuke Himuro (Japanese: 氷室 京介, Hepburn: Himuro Kyōsuke; born October 7, 1960, in Takasaki, Gunma) is a Japanese former musician and singer-songwriter. He was the lead vocalist of the rock band Boøwy from 1981 to 1988. After the band disbanded, he went on to have a successful solo career, becoming one of Japan's best-selling artists, with 16.25 million sales. In 2003, HMV Japan ranked Boøwy at number 22 and Himuro himself at number 76 on their list of the 100 most important Japanese pop acts. Himuro retired from live performances in 2016 due to hearing impairment. He currently lives in Los Angeles, California.
Senri Oe (大江 千里, Ōe Senri; born 6 September 1960) is a Japanese jazz pianist, composer, producer, actor, singer, and…Senri Oe (大江 千里, Ōe Senri; born 6 September 1960) is a Japanese jazz pianist, composer, producer, actor, singer, and songwriter. He is best known for his pop-music career in 1980s and '90's-era Japanese city pop music'. Among his releases (totaling 45 singles and 18 original albums), from the 1980s to the 1990s, are eight albums which received Japan's Gold Disc Award (Japan's equivalent to a Grammy for Best Album). He was also awarded the Gold Disc Award for Best Male Pop Artist in 1989. Senri Oe's pop music garnered mass popularity in Japan following his first single "Wallabee Shoes" in 1983. He has held concerts in Japan's largest stadiums, including Nippon Budokan, Yokohama Arena, Yokohama Stadium, Chiba Marine Stadium, Seibu Dome, NHK Hall, and Osaka Castle Hall. He has also written and produced music for many artists, including Seiko Matsuda, Misato Watanabe, Hiromi Go, Hikaru Genji and Sayuri Ishikawa also composing music for the soundtrack of the film Doraemon: Nobita's Great Adventure in the South Seas, as well as "Believe" which was featured in Sanrio Puroland.
Senri Oe (大江 千里, Ōe Senri; born 6 September 1960) is a Japanese jazz pianist, composer, producer, actor, singer, and…Senri Oe (大江 千里, Ōe Senri; born 6 September 1960) is a Japanese jazz pianist, composer, producer, actor, singer, and songwriter. He is best known for his pop-music career in 1980s and '90's-era Japanese city pop music'. Among his releases (totaling 45 singles and 18 original albums), from the 1980s to the 1990s, are eight albums which received Japan's Gold Disc Award (Japan's equivalent to a Grammy for Best Album). He was also awarded the Gold Disc Award for Best Male Pop Artist in 1989. Senri Oe's pop music garnered mass popularity in Japan following his first single "Wallabee Shoes" in 1983. He has held concerts in Japan's largest stadiums, including Nippon Budokan, Yokohama Arena, Yokohama Stadium, Chiba Marine Stadium, Seibu Dome, NHK Hall, and Osaka Castle Hall. He has also written and produced music for many artists, including Seiko Matsuda, Misato Watanabe, Hiromi Go, Hikaru Genji and Sayuri Ishikawa also composing music for the soundtrack of the film Doraemon: Nobita's Great Adventure in the South Seas, as well as "Believe" which was featured in Sanrio Puroland.
Toshiki Kadomatsu (角松 敏生, Kadomatsu Toshiki; born 12 August 1960) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, musician, and…Toshiki Kadomatsu (角松 敏生, Kadomatsu Toshiki; born 12 August 1960) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, musician, and producer best known as one of the pioneers of the city pop genre. He has released many studio albums, as well as several instrumental and live albums. He has been active since 1981.
Yūko Asano (浅野 ゆう子, Asano Yūko; born 9 July 1960) is a Japanese actress and singer. She won the award for best actress…Yūko Asano (浅野 ゆう子, Asano Yūko; born 9 July 1960) is a Japanese actress and singer. She won the award for best actress at the 19th Japan Academy Prize for Kura. She was born in Kobe. Her biggest hit was "Sexy Bus Stop" released in 1976. It reached the No. 12 position on the Oricon chart list.
Miki Jinbo (神保 美喜, Jinbo Miki; born June 2, 1960, in Minato, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actress and singer represented…Miki Jinbo (神保 美喜, Jinbo Miki; born June 2, 1960, in Minato, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actress and singer represented by Staff-up.
Shinichi Ishihara (石原 慎一, Ishihara Shin'ichi; born May 26, 1960) is a Japanese singer, voice actor and actor from…Shinichi Ishihara (石原 慎一, Ishihara Shin'ichi; born May 26, 1960) is a Japanese singer, voice actor and actor from Yamanashi Prefecture. He is famous for singing the theme songs of Guyver, Kamen Rider Agito and Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGo-V, among other theme songs as well as the entire soundtrack to Juukou B-Fighter.
Eiko Miyagawa (宮川榮子), née Eiko Sato (佐藤栄子), born May 12, 1960), known professionally as EPO, is a Japanese singer…Eiko Miyagawa (宮川榮子), née Eiko Sato (佐藤栄子), born May 12, 1960), known professionally as EPO, is a Japanese singer, songwriter and alternative medicine therapist who had success in the Japanese music industry in the 1980s and 1990s. Known as one of the "RCA Three Girls" in the mid-1980s alongside artists Taeko Onuki and Mariya Takeuchi on the same label, she is a prominent figure in the city pop genre that saw a revival in the late 2010s and early 2020s.
Minoru Niihara (二井原 実, Niihara Minoru; born March 12, 1960) is a Japanese singer. He is the original and current lead…Minoru Niihara (二井原 実, Niihara Minoru; born March 12, 1960) is a Japanese singer. He is the original and current lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Loudness. His first band was Earthshaker, in which he played bass and sang. His vocal style was influenced by blues singers, but he adapted quickly his voice to the high pitch tones requested in a heavy metal act. He was selected after an audition to become the lead singer of Loudness in 1981 and his voice, together with the flashy guitar work of guitarist Akira Takasaki were recognized as a trademark of the band. Although the first three albums were sung using mostly Japanese lyrics, he started singing in English only on their 1984 album, Disillusion. After Loudness released Jealousy, he left the band in 1988 and was replaced by the American singer Mike Vescera. After working with several bands (including Ded Chaplin, Sly and X.Y.Z.→A), as well as his solo career, he returned to Loudness in 2001. He released two solo albums: One in 1989 and Ashes To Glory in 2006, in addition to recording many albums with Sly and X.Y.Z.→A. In 2008 he formed a parallel band called Nishidera Minoru, with Show-Ya's singer Keiko Terada and Earthshaker's singer Masafumi "Marcy" Nishida. They released an album and produced and organized the Hard na Yaon 2009 festival. In 2018, readers and professional musicians voted Niihara the fifth best vocalist in the history of hard rock and heavy metal in We Rock magazine's "Metal General Election".
Maki Nomiya (Japanese: 野宮 真貴, Hepburn: Nomiya Maki; born March 12, 1960) is a Japanese singer and musician. She is…Maki Nomiya (Japanese: 野宮 真貴, Hepburn: Nomiya Maki; born March 12, 1960) is a Japanese singer and musician. She is known as the "Queen of Shibuya-kei" (渋谷系の女王, Shibuya-kei no Joō). Maki released her first solo album in 1981, and worked through the 1980s as the lead vocalist of the new wave band Portable Rock. In 1991, she became the lead singer of the band Pizzicato Five. When the group disbanded in 2001, she embarked on a solo career. She also appears singing solo on the soundtrack of the game We Love Katamari and in the 2008 Japanese version of Just One Second (Jikan Wo Tomete) by London Elektricity.
Risa Ohki (大木 理紗, Ōki Risa) is a Japanese vocalist, most famously featured on Final Fantasy: Pray and Final Fantasy…Risa Ohki (大木 理紗, Ōki Risa) is a Japanese vocalist, most famously featured on Final Fantasy: Pray and Final Fantasy: Love Will Grow albums.
Yuriko Yamamoto (山本 百合子, Yamamoto Yuriko; born February 13, 1960) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, singer and…Yuriko Yamamoto (山本 百合子, Yamamoto Yuriko; born February 13, 1960) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, singer and narrator from Hino, Tokyo, affiliated with Aoni Production. Her debut role was as the titular character in Hello! Sandybell in 1981. She has voiced many major roles in 1980s series such as Minerva in Transformers: Super-God Masterforce and 1990s anime such as Fight! Iczer One, Gall Force, Saint Seiya, Magical Taruruto-kun, and RG Veda.
Michiko Shimizu (清水 ミチコ, Shimizu Michiko; born 27 January 1960, in Takayama, Gifu) is a Japanese tarento, comedian, and…Michiko Shimizu (清水 ミチコ, Shimizu Michiko; born 27 January 1960, in Takayama, Gifu) is a Japanese tarento, comedian, and actress. She is also an impressionist (monomane tarento). Shimizu's real name is Michiko Sakata (坂田 美智子, Sakata Michiko; née Shimizu (清水)) She is represented with Jam House. Shimizu graduated from Takayama Nishi High School and Bunkyo University Women's College Division of Home Economics. She is nicknamed Micchan (ミッちゃん) and Shimichiko (シミチコ). Shimizu's catchphrase is Rinjin wa Gei no koyashi (隣人は芸のこやし).
Kumiko Ohba (大場 久美子, Ōba Kumiko; born January 6, 1960, in Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese actress, singer, and…Kumiko Ohba (大場 久美子, Ōba Kumiko; born January 6, 1960, in Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese actress, singer, and psychological counselor who is represented by Office Keiko. She is eldest of three siblings (one brother and one younger brother).