Ayumi Ishida (いしだ あゆみ, Ishida Ayumi; March 26, 1948 – March 11, 2025) was a Japanese actress and singer, whose real…
Ayumi Ishida (いしだ あゆみ, Ishida Ayumi; March 26, 1948 – March 11, 2025) was a Japanese actress and singer, whose real name was Yoshiko Ishida (石田 良子, Ishida Yoshiko). She was the second among four daughters. She won the award for Best Actress at the 4th Yokohama Film Festival for Yajūdeka. She also won the awards for best actress at the 29th Blue Ribbon Awards and the 11th Hochi Film Award for House on Fire and Tokei - Adieu l'hiver. As for her musical career, she was best known for the singles "BLUE LIGHT Yokohama" (which topped the charts in 1968/1969 at #1), "Anata nara Dō Suru (#2), and "Sabaku no You na Tokyo de" (#3). On March 17, 2025, her agency announced that she had died from hypothyroidism on March 11. She was 76.
Famous Japanese People: Singer・Vocalist
Singer・Vocalist: 1,169 people
Kaori Mochida (持田 香織, Mochida Kaori; born March 24, 1978) is the lead singer of Japanese pop group Every Little Thing.
Lia (born December 20; also stylized in all caps as LIA) is a Japanese singer and songwriter. Lia recorded "Tori no…
Lia (born December 20; also stylized in all caps as LIA) is a Japanese singer and songwriter. Lia recorded "Tori no Uta" for Key's 2000 visual novel Air, which was reused in its 2005 anime adaptation and became influential in popular culture. She additionally recorded two other tracks for the visual novel, which were commercially successful. Lia has continued to work with Key by performing songs for their 2004 visual novel Clannad and its 2008 anime adaptation, Clannad After Story, the 2005 adult visual novel Tomoyo After: It's a Wonderful Life, as well as the opening themes for Key's original anime series Angel Beats! in 2010 and Charlotte in 2015. Her other songs used in anime include RF Online and Initial D Fourth Stage. In 2012, the Vocaloid software IA was released, which sampled Lia's voice and earned a large fanbase.
Eriko Imai (今井 絵理子, Imai Eriko) is a Japanese pop singer, actress and politician. She made her debut in the early 1990s…
Eriko Imai (今井 絵理子, Imai Eriko) is a Japanese pop singer, actress and politician. She made her debut in the early 1990s as part of the group Speed, which disbanded in March 2000. Eriko began her work away from Speed during 1998, performing "Tsumetaku Shinai de", under the stage name "Eriko with Crunch", on the Speed single "All My True Love". After the group disbanded, Imai continued her career as a solo artist until Speed's reformation in 2008.
Hiroko Shimabukuro (島袋 寛子, Shimabukuro Hiroko; born 7 April 1984), best known mononymously as hiro, is a Japanese…
Hiroko Shimabukuro (島袋 寛子, Shimabukuro Hiroko; born 7 April 1984), best known mononymously as hiro, is a Japanese singer. She debuted as a member of the popular girl group Speed in 1996. In 1998, hiro released her first solo song, "Mitsumete Itai", as a B-side to Speed's single "All My True Love". She made her official solo debut in 1999 with the single "As Time Goes By", which sold 800,000 copies in Japan. In 2022 she released her fourth studio album called "0".
Toshio Hayakawa (早川 俊夫, Hayakawa Toshio; January 7, 1948 – December 6, 2022), better known by his stage name Ichirou…
Toshio Hayakawa (早川 俊夫, Hayakawa Toshio; January 7, 1948 – December 6, 2022), better known by his stage name Ichirou Mizuki (水木 一郎, Mizuki Ichirō), was a Japanese singer, lyricist, composer, voice actor and actor best known for his work on theme songs for anime and tokusatsu. For over 50 years, he had recorded over 1,200 songs for Japanese film, television, video and video games. He was referred to by fans and fellow performers alike as the Aniki (アニキ, "big brother") of the anison, or anime music genre. He produced the singing duo Apple Pie since 1990 and created the Anison band JAM Project in 2000.
Anri Kumaki (熊木 杏里, Kumaki Anri; born January 27, 1982) is a Japanese pop female singer-songwriter currently signed on…
Anri Kumaki (熊木 杏里, Kumaki Anri; born January 27, 1982) is a Japanese pop female singer-songwriter currently signed on unBORDE Records, a division of Warner Music Group Japan.
Makoto Tsubasa (真琴 つばさ, Tsubasa Makoto; born November 25, 1964) is a Japanese singer and actress. She is a former top…
Makoto Tsubasa (真琴 つばさ, Tsubasa Makoto; born November 25, 1964) is a Japanese singer and actress. She is a former top star of the Takarazuka Revue's Moon Troupe. Her nickname was Mami (マミ), derived from her first name. Tsubasa is affiliated with F-Spirit, a subsidiary of Manase Productions.
Ayano Ōmoto (大本 彩乃, Ōmoto Ayano; born 20 September 1988), nicknamed Nocchi (のっち, stylized as NOCCHi), is a Japanese…
Ayano Ōmoto (大本 彩乃, Ōmoto Ayano; born 20 September 1988), nicknamed Nocchi (のっち, stylized as NOCCHi), is a Japanese singer and dancer. She is known as one of the members of the Japanese electropop group Perfume.
Yōko Oginome (荻野目 洋子, Oginome Yōko; born December 10, 1968 in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan), married name Yōko…
Yōko Oginome (荻野目 洋子, Oginome Yōko; born December 10, 1968 in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan), married name Yōko Tsujino (辻野 洋子, Tsujino Yōko), is a former pop idol, actress and voice actress, who gained popularity in the mid-1980s. Her fans often call her Oginome-chan. Her husband is Ryuso Tsujino. Oginome is affiliated with Rising Production.
Yuka Kashino (樫野 有香, Kashino Yuka; born 23 December 1988), nicknamed Kashiyuka (かしゆか; stylized as KASHIYUKA), is a…
Yuka Kashino (樫野 有香, Kashino Yuka; born 23 December 1988), nicknamed Kashiyuka (かしゆか; stylized as KASHIYUKA), is a Japanese singer and dancer. She is known as one of the members of the electropop group Perfume.
Kaori Mizumori (水森かおり, Mizumori Kaori) (born 31 August 1973) is a Japanese enka singer with Tokuma Japan…
Kaori Mizumori (水森かおり, Mizumori Kaori) (born 31 August 1973) is a Japanese enka singer with Tokuma Japan Communications. Her real name is Yukiko Ōde (大出弓紀子). She started her enka singing career in 1995. Her songs are usually titled after Japanese landmarks and Japanese nature, which are widely accepted and well received, making Mizumori extremely popular and receiving many invitations to be the ambassador of many regions in Japan. Unlike her enka singing peers, Mizumori usually performs in Western dresses, instead of the traditional kimono. Currently she holds the record of having the most top ten singles for a female enka singer. All her singles have entered the top 10 Oricon Chart since 2004. Mizumori is also a regular at the annual NHK Red and White Song Festival, with New Year's Eve of 2017 marking her 15th appearance since her first in 2003.
Tomisaburō Wakayama (若山 富三郎, Wakayama Tomisaburō; September 1, 1929 – April 2, 1992), born Masaru Okumura (奥村 勝), was a…
Tomisaburō Wakayama (若山 富三郎, Wakayama Tomisaburō; September 1, 1929 – April 2, 1992), born Masaru Okumura (奥村 勝), was a Japanese actor best known for playing Ogami Ittō, the scowling ronin warrior in the six Lone Wolf and Cub samurai films.
Shoko Haida (はいだ しょうこ, Haida Shōko; born 25 March 1979, in Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese singer, actress, and…
Shoko Haida (はいだ しょうこ, Haida Shōko; born 25 March 1979, in Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese singer, actress, and tarento. Her stage name was Himeka Chikoto (千琴 ひめか, Chikoto Himeka) when she was in the Takarazuka Revue. During her career in the Uta Gekidan Zaidanji Haida's nickname was Shoko (ショーコ, Shōko). She grew up in Kunitachi, Tokyo. Haida is represented with Toho Entertainment and later Horipro.
Shion Tsuji (辻詩音, Tsuji Shion) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. She is best known for her song "Sky Chord (Otona ni…
Shion Tsuji (辻詩音, Tsuji Shion) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. She is best known for her song "Sky Chord (Otona ni Naru Kimi e)," which was used as the ending theme song for the anime Bleach (the 18th song to be used for the ending credits of the anime) and her song "I Wanna Love (Ai Ga Hoshi Yo)," which was used as the second opening theme for the "Repeat Show" re-run airing of the anime Soul Eater
Rey Natsukawa is a Japanese singer also known as Rey Summerriver. She gives her name as Kiyo Katō as a lyricist.
Puffy AmiYumi, or PUFFY, are a Japanese pop rock duo formed in Tokyo in 1995, consisting of singers Ami Ōnuki and Yumi…
Puffy AmiYumi, or PUFFY, are a Japanese pop rock duo formed in Tokyo in 1995, consisting of singers Ami Ōnuki and Yumi Yoshimura. In the United States, they adopted the name Puffy AmiYumi to avoid legal naming conflicts with Sean Combs, who also performed under the name Puffy. The duo sings in Japanese, English, and Mandarin Chinese. Ōnuki and Yoshimura were scouted by Sony-affiliated talent agencies and put together in the mid-1990s. Most of their work was produced or co-written by Okuda Tamio and Andy Sturmer, formerly of the bands Unicorn and Jellyfish, respectively. The duo's first single, "Asia no Junshin" (1996), sold one million records. They gained mainstream success in Japan in 1998 following the release of their album Jet and continued with several more full-length releases (totaling 15 million sales in Japan). In 2004, an animated series featuring fictionalized versions of themselves, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, premiered on the US's Cartoon Network. While the singers portrayed themselves for short live-action segments taped in Japan, their characters were voiced by Janice Kawaye and Grey DeLisle respectively.
Azusa Senou (瀬能 あづさ, Senō Azusa; born April 3, 1973), is a Japanese singer, actress and model. She has been a former…
Azusa Senou (瀬能 あづさ, Senō Azusa; born April 3, 1973), is a Japanese singer, actress and model. She has been a former member of Japan's idol group Coco in the late 1980s.
Ami Suzuki (鈴木亜美, Suzuki Ami; born 9 February 1982) is a Japanese recording artist, DJ, and actress from Zama…
Ami Suzuki (鈴木亜美, Suzuki Ami; born 9 February 1982) is a Japanese recording artist, DJ, and actress from Zama, Kanagawa, Japan. Following her late 90s fame as a popular teen idol, Suzuki went on to become known for her self-penned lyrics and music production. In 2000, Suzuki entered a legal battle with her management company, which resulted her being blacklisted from the entertainment industry. Suzuki independently released two singles before signing to Avex Trax in 2005. Suzuki has also made a name for herself in the acting field, starring in various movies, television series, and musicals.
Yo Hitoto (一青 窈, Hitoto Yō; born September 20, 1976) is a Japanese-Taiwanese pop singer.
Yūko Andō (安藤 裕子, Andō Yūko) (born 9 May 1977) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and former actress. Andō is part of the…
Yūko Andō (安藤 裕子, Andō Yūko) (born 9 May 1977) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and former actress. Andō is part of the Horipro talent agency.
Mei Jamileh Hashimoto (Japanese: 橋本 芽生 Hashimoto Mei, Persian: جمیله هاشیموتو; born June 20, 1988) better known by her…
Mei Jamileh Hashimoto (Japanese: 橋本 芽生 Hashimoto Mei, Persian: جمیله هاشیموتو; born June 20, 1988) better known by her stage name May J., is a Japanese pop and R&B singer who made her major label debut under Sony Music Japan on July 12, 2006, with her first mini-album All My Girls. She was born to an Iranian mother and Japanese father.
Mari Hanafusa (花總 まり, Hanafusa Mari) (born February 28, 1973) is a Japanese actress and former member of the Takarazuka…
Mari Hanafusa (花總 まり, Hanafusa Mari) (born February 28, 1973) is a Japanese actress and former member of the Takarazuka Revue. She held the position of Top Musumeyaku (lead female-role) in both the Snow and Cosmos troupes, holding the longest tenure in Takarazuka history at 12 years and 3 months. She’s best known for playing Empress Elisabeth of Austria in the Japan premiere of the musical Elisabeth and is currently active under Blooming Agency.
Chihiro Yonekura (米倉 千尋, Yonekura Chihiro; born August 19, 1972) is a Japanese singer and songwriter from Yokohama…
Chihiro Yonekura (米倉 千尋, Yonekura Chihiro; born August 19, 1972) is a Japanese singer and songwriter from Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
Keisuke Kuwata (Japanese: 桑田 佳祐, Hepburn: Kuwata Keisuke; born February 26, 1956) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and…
Keisuke Kuwata (Japanese: 桑田 佳祐, Hepburn: Kuwata Keisuke; born February 26, 1956) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known as frontman of the rock band Southern All Stars. He also has a successful solo career and has worked as a record producer, film composer, and film director. In 2003, Southern All Stars was ranked No. 1 and Kuwata himself was ranked No. 12 on HMV Japan's list of the top 100 Japanese musical acts. In 2014, the Japanese government awarded Kuwata the Medal with Purple Ribbon for his contributions to the arts.
Miwa Sasagawa (笹川 美和, Sasagawa Miwa; born February 23, 1983) is a Japanese singer-songwriter.
Kang Bûn-iā, Chiang Wen-yeh or Jiang Wenye (Chinese: 江文也; pinyin: Jiāng Wényě; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Kang Bûn-iā; June 11, 1910 –…
Kang Bûn-iā, Chiang Wen-yeh or Jiang Wenye (Chinese: 江文也; pinyin: Jiāng Wényě; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Kang Bûn-iā; June 11, 1910 – October 24, 1983) was a Taiwan-born composer, active mainly in Japan and later in China. He was born in Dadaocheng, Taipei, Taiwan and died in Beijing. While often known in the West by renditions of his Chinese name, the three Chinese characters that form his name are pronounced Kō Bunya (こう ぶんや) in Japanese, and thus he is also known as Koh Bunya in the West. In his compositions, which range from for piano to choral and orchestral works, he merged elements of traditional Chinese, Taiwanese, and Japanese music with modernist influences. Due to the political turmoil surrounding his life, he came to be largely forgotten during the latter part of his life. After his death, however, his work has started to gain new recognition in East Asia as well as in the West.
Tamurapan (たむらぱん) is a Japanese pop songwriter and singer. Her real name is Tamura Ayumi (田村歩美), was born in 1980 in…
Tamurapan (たむらぱん) is a Japanese pop songwriter and singer. Her real name is Tamura Ayumi (田村歩美), was born in 1980 in Takayama, Gifu, Japan. The name Tamurapan is a combination of her surname: Tamura (田村) and the French word for rabbit: Lapin. During the first years of elementary school she lived in Taiwan for some time, while she was still in elementary school she got her amateur radio license.
Hitomi Ishikawa (石川 ひとみ, Ishikawa Hitomi) (born September 20, 1959, Nishi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi prefecture, Japan) is a…
Hitomi Ishikawa (石川 ひとみ, Ishikawa Hitomi) (born September 20, 1959, Nishi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese singer and voice actress. Her legal name is Hitomi Yamada since marrying fellow-musician Naoki Yamada, but she uses her maiden name of Ishikawa professionally. Her nickname is Hi-chan.
Ken Hirai (平井 堅, Hirai Ken; born January 17, 1972) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. Since his debut, Hirai has worked…
Ken Hirai (平井 堅, Hirai Ken; born January 17, 1972) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. Since his debut, Hirai has worked as a model, actor, composer, lyricist, singer, and brand ambassador. During his career, Hirai has released forty-seven singles and eleven studio albums as of January 2024. According to Oricon, his single Hitomi o Tojite (Close Your Eyes) became the best-selling single of 2004 in Japan, while his compilation album Ken Hirai 10th Anniversary Complete Single Collection '95–'05 "Utabaka" became the best-selling album of 2006 in Japan.
Kana Nishino (西野カナ, Nishino Kana; born March 18, 1989) is a Japanese singer, signed with Sony Music Japan's SME…
Kana Nishino (西野カナ, Nishino Kana; born March 18, 1989) is a Japanese singer, signed with Sony Music Japan's SME Records. She debuted on February 20, 2008, with the single "I". Considered one of Japan's most popular songstresses of the late 2000s and 2010s, she gained early popularity with the R&B singles "Tookutemo" (with rapper Wise) and "Kimi ni Aitaku Naru Kara". Her first studio album, Love One. (2009), debuted at number four on charts and went on to become certified platinum. She achieved further success with her second album, To Love (2010), her first number-one album, which was preceded by the singles "Motto...", "Dear...", "Best Friend" and "Aitakute Aitakute" which were all certified "million" for full song downloads of over 1 million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), establishing Nishino as a dominant force on music charts and digital platforms. The Triple Platinum certified album became the third best-selling album of 2010 and the single "Aitakute Aitakute" was the hottest selling digital song of the year. While enjoying mammoth mainstream success with her following records Thank You, Love (2011), Love Place (2012) and With Love (2014), Nishino's music also evolved from R&B to pop. In the mid-2010s, she successfully ventured into country pop with the singles "Darling" (2014) and "Torisetsu" (2015). The latter, the theme song of the live action film Heroine Shikkaku, became the best-selling digital song of 2015 with over one million copies sold. She subsequently released the albums Just Love (2016) and Love It (2017), certified platinum and gold respectively. In 2016, she won the Grand Prix at the 58th Japan Record Awards for her single "Anata no Suki na Tokoro", the first female solo artist to do so since Koda Kumi in 2005. In 2017, she reached a new milestone when becoming the first female artist born in the Heisei era to perform at the prestigious Tokyo Dome as part of the Kana Nishino Dome Tour 2017 "Many Thanks". Due to her popularity with the Japanese female audience, Nishino appears frequently on fashion magazine covers and she is usually regarded as a fashion icon. It was particularly apparent in her early days due to her association with the Gyaru fashion subculture, leading her music to be referred to as "Gyaru Enka" ("Gyaru heartbreak songs"). In 2009, CNN said that she was the favorite singer of teenage girls in Shibuya, Tokyo. Nishino is also known for her "relatable" lyrics about love. She was awarded "Artist of the Year" two times in 2014 and 2015 by Billboard Japan. Since her debut, she has sold over six million records and over 46 million downloads, making her one of the most successful female artists in the digital chart history of Japan. On January 8, 2019, Nishino announced an "indefinite" hiatus starting on February 3 of the same year and returned to the music industry in 2024.
Kaori Asada (浅田 香織, Asada Kaori; born 16 April 1973), known by her stage name Bonnie Pink, is a Japanese…
Kaori Asada (浅田 香織, Asada Kaori; born 16 April 1973), known by her stage name Bonnie Pink, is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician. She writes and composes all her songs, and plays guitar and piano. Asada has said that the name Bonnie Pink is random and has no special meaning; she chose it because it was easy to remember and because she thought the words were cute together.
Amii Ozaki (尾崎 亜美, Ozaki Ami), real name Misuzu Ohara (小原 美鈴, Ohara Misuzu), is a Japanese singer songwriter born on 19…
Amii Ozaki (尾崎 亜美, Ozaki Ami), real name Misuzu Ohara (小原 美鈴, Ohara Misuzu), is a Japanese singer songwriter born on 19 March 1957 in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. She has written music such as Oribia o Kikinagara by Anri and Tenshi no Uinku by Seiko Matsuda, as well as many other songs. Ozaki makes irregular appearances on her friend Akira Kamiya's internet radio show Kamiya Akira Hot Beat Party. Her husband is musician Ray Ohara. Her mother is Akemi Ozaki, a maker of popular handbags and purses made from vintage obi.
Mai Fukui (福井舞, Fukui Mai; born December 17, 1984) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, signed on Avex Group's J-More…
Mai Fukui (福井舞, Fukui Mai; born December 17, 1984) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, signed on Avex Group's J-More label. She is known for singing the theme song for the video game Final Fantasy XIII-2, Yakusoku no Basho. She was nominated for Best New Artist at the 50th Japan Record Awards.
Mai Kuraki (倉木 麻衣, Kuraki Mai) (born October 28, 1982) is a Japanese pop and R&B singer. After releasing her US debut…
Mai Kuraki (倉木 麻衣, Kuraki Mai) (born October 28, 1982) is a Japanese pop and R&B singer. After releasing her US debut single "Baby I Like" in 1999, Kuraki signed with Giza Studio and released her Japanese debut single "Love, Day After Tomorrow" in 1999. In 2000, she released her debut album, Delicious Way, which debuted at number-one and sold over 2.2 million copies in its first week. The album has spawned four top-three singles, "Love, Day After Tomorrow", "Stay by My Side", "Secret of My Heart", and "Never Gonna Give You Up". Eventually, the album sold over 3.5 million copies nationwide and became the best-selling album in Japan of 2000, and has been the ninth best-selling album in Japan of all-time. Her second album, Perfect Crime (2001) debuted atop in Japan and has sold over 1.3 million copies nationwide. After the success in Japan, Kuraki targeted the American market again, with the English-language studio album Secret of My Heart (2002), however it failed to enter any charts in the United States. Her third Japanese album, Fairy Tale was released in 2002 and topped the Oricon albums chart. The album has spawned one number-one song, "Winter Bells". Her fourth album, If I Believe become her fourth consecutive number-one album in Japan. Her first compilation album, Wish You the Best (2004) sold nearly a million copies and became the seventh best-selling album of 2004 in Japan. Kuraki's succeeding albums, Fuse of Love (2005), Diamond Wave (2006), and One Life (2008) were released to less commercial success. In 2009, Kuraki saw a revival in her popularity with the increased television appearances and the promotion. Her eighth studio album, Touch Me!, debuted atop in Japan, becoming her first number-one album in five years. Her second compilation album, All My Best (2009) topped the chart in Japan, making her one of the two artists who sent two albums at the top spot on the chart in the year. Her next studio albums, Future Kiss (2010) and Over the Rainbow (2012) both reached top three in Japan. Her third compilation album, Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope (2014) managed to peak at number two in Japan and became the ninety-fifth best-selling album in Japan of the year. Her eleventh studio album, Smile (2017) sold less than her previous albums, partly due to the lack of the promotion. Released in 2017, the single "Togetsukyo (Kimi Omou)" peaked at number two in Japan and became the best-selling single for a solo female artist in 2017. The single marked Kuraki's second revival in charts, succeeded by the compilation album, Mai Kuraki x Meitantei Conan Collaboration Best 21: Shinjitsu wa Itsumo Uta ni Aru! (2017), which peaked at number four in Japan and charted on the year-end album chart in 2017 and 2018. Her twelfth and thirteenth albums, Kimi Omou: Shunkashūtō (2018) and Let's Goal!: Barairo no Jinsei (2019) were both moderate success, reaching top three in Japan. Her fifth compilation album, Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You was released in 2019, in celebration of her 20th anniversary. In 2021, Kuraki released her fourteenth studio album Unconditional Love, which peaked at number four in Japan and spawned a number-one single "Zero kara Hajimete". Her first extended play Forever for You was released in 2024 to commercial success, reaching number three in Japan. Kuraki is best known for singing theme songs for the Japanese television anime series, Case Closed aka detective conan. As of October 2020, she has recorded twenty-three songs for the series and earning her a Guinness World Record for singing the most theme songs for the same television series. Kuraki also holds the record for being the only female artist to have all of her singles consecutively debut in the Top 10 since her debut in 1999, and is the 38th best-selling Japanese music artist of all time. To date, Kuraki has seven number-one albums (five originals and two compilations) and two number-one singles.
Pushim (プシン; born November 26, 1975), born Paku Pushin (朴 冨心), is a Japanese reggae artist. She is signed to Sony Music…
Pushim (プシン; born November 26, 1975), born Paku Pushin (朴 冨心), is a Japanese reggae artist. She is signed to Sony Music Japan's Ki/oon Records division. She began performing in the Kansai reggae scene in 1995. In 1998, she contributed back-up vocals for the Refugee Camp's "It's Too Late", a Carole King cover. After being signed to Sony Music Japan, she recorded and released her first single, "Brand New Day" on June 19, 1999 to much critical acclaim. In September 1999, she released her second single "Strong Woman", which was also a commercial success. The following spring, her debut album Say Greetings was released, having been recorded in Jamaica the previous year. She performed at Reggae Sumfest in 2003. Her 2006 album Sing A Song... Lighter! featured Luciano on one track. She has regularly visited Jamaica to record, and in 2007, she recorded in Jamaica with musicians including Sly & Robbie. In 2010 she was nominated for the 'Best Reggae Video' award at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) Japan. Pushim is Zainichi Korean. Her younger sister, Youngshim, is also a reggae musician in the Osaka area.
Ayaka Iida (飯田 絢香, Iida Ayaka; born December 18, 1987), known simply by the mononym Ayaka, is a Japanese singer…
Ayaka Iida (飯田 絢香, Iida Ayaka; born December 18, 1987), known simply by the mononym Ayaka, is a Japanese singer, songwriter and record producer formerly signed to Warner Music Japan. Born in Osaka, she moved to Tokyo to pursue a singing career. She married actor Hiro Mizushima on February 22, 2009.
Hayami Kishimoto (岸本早未, Kishimoto Hayami; born June 25, 1987 in Kyoto, Japan) is a retired female Japanese popular…
Hayami Kishimoto (岸本早未, Kishimoto Hayami; born June 25, 1987 in Kyoto, Japan) is a retired female Japanese popular music singer. She was affiliated with the Giza Studio recording label for her four-year career.
Sonoko Inoue (井上 苑子, Inoue Sonoko; born December 11, 1997 in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture) is a Japanese singer, songwriter…
Sonoko Inoue (井上 苑子, Inoue Sonoko; born December 11, 1997 in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture) is a Japanese singer, songwriter and actress. She lived in Osaka, Osaka Prefecture until junior high school and moved to the Kantō region when she had a high school opportunity. She is nicknamed Son-chan (そんちゃん) and sonko.
Kana Uemura (植村 花菜, Uemura Kana; born 4 January 1983), known professionally as Ka-Na, is a Japanese singer-songwriter…
Kana Uemura (植村 花菜, Uemura Kana; born 4 January 1983), known professionally as Ka-Na, is a Japanese singer-songwriter, who debuted in 2004. She is best known for her song "Toilet no Kamisama", an acoustic ballad about her grandmother, which became a hit in 2010.
Midori Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木 美登里, Hepburn: Suzuki Midori) is a Japanese classical soprano, specializing in Baroque…
Midori Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木 美登里, Hepburn: Suzuki Midori) is a Japanese classical soprano, specializing in Baroque music. She has recorded many cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach with the Bach Collegium Japan, both as a soloist and as a member of the ensemble.
Youmi Kimura (Japanese: 木村 弓, Hepburn: Kimura Yumi) is a Japanese singer and lyre performer. She is best known for her…
Youmi Kimura (Japanese: 木村 弓, Hepburn: Kimura Yumi) is a Japanese singer and lyre performer. She is best known for her compositions on the soundtracks of Studio Ghibli films.
Mai Hoshimura (星村 麻衣, Hoshimura Mai; born April 18, 1981, in Matsue, Shimane) is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter and…
Mai Hoshimura (星村 麻衣, Hoshimura Mai; born April 18, 1981, in Matsue, Shimane) is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter and pianist. On May 31, 2009, her contract with Sony ended.
Kiyomi Angela Aki (安藝 聖世美 アンジェラ, Aki Kiyomi Anjera; born September 15, 1977) is a Japanese pop singer, songwriter and…
Kiyomi Angela Aki (安藝 聖世美 アンジェラ, Aki Kiyomi Anjera; born September 15, 1977) is a Japanese pop singer, songwriter and pianist.
Masayoshi Ōishi (大石 昌良, Ōishi Masayoshi; born January 5, 1980) is a Japanese musician. His professional music career…
Masayoshi Ōishi (大石 昌良, Ōishi Masayoshi; born January 5, 1980) is a Japanese musician. His professional music career began in 2001 as vocalist of the band Sound Schedule. Following the band's disbandment in 2006, he began a solo career, releasing his debut single "Honoka Terasu" in 2008. Sound Schedule reunited in 2011, with Ōishi returning as the band's vocalist. Ōishi is also vocalist of the musical group OxT, led by composer Tom Hack. In 2014, Ōishi's song "Kimi Ja Nakya Dame Mitai" was used as the opening theme to the anime series Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun, and in 2018, his song "Otomodachi Film" was used as the opening theme to the anime series Tada Never Falls in Love. In 2023 his song "Megane Go Round" was used as the ending theme to the anime Suki na Ko ga Megane o Wasureta. He has also written songs for other artists, such as "Yōkoso Japari Park e" which was used as the opening theme to the anime series Kemono Friends.
Misaki Itō (伊藤 美咲, Itō Misaki) commonly known as Misia (ミーシャ, Mīsha; born July 7, 1978) and stylized in all caps, is a…
Misaki Itō (伊藤 美咲, Itō Misaki) commonly known as Misia (ミーシャ, Mīsha; born July 7, 1978) and stylized in all caps, is a Japanese singer and songwriter. Born in Tsushima, Nagasaki, Misia moved to Fukuoka at the age of 14 to pursue a recording career. There, she continued her secondary education and briefly attended Seinan Gakuin University before withdrawing to focus on her musical career. She was signed to BMG Japan in 1997, after auditioning for record producer Haruo Yoda. Misia came to prominence following the release of her debut album, Mother Father Brother Sister (1998), which became the seventh best-selling Japanese debut album of all time, earning her two Japan Gold Disc Awards and one Japan Record Award. In 2000, Misia released her sophomore album, Love Is the Message, which earned her another Japan Gold Disc Award and Japan Record Award. Her third studio album, Marvelous (2001), spawned her first number-one single on the Oricon singles chart, "Everything". The song became one of the best-selling singles of all time in Japan, and is the third best-selling physical single by a Japanese solo female artist of all time. In 2001, Misia and her management, Rhythmedia, signed a recording contract with Avex and formed their own label, Rhythmedia Tribe. Her first album under Rhythmedia Tribe, Kiss in the Sky, became Misia's fourth consecutive number-one album on the Oricon albums chart. In doing so, Misia became the fourth solo female artist with the longest streak of number-one albums since their debut. Following a series of successful records, including Mars & Roses, Singer for Singer and Ascension, Misia returned to her former record label, BMG Japan. After Sony Music Entertainment Japan's acquisition of BMG Japan, Misia relocated to the Sony subsidiary, Ariola Japan. Misia has released thirteen studio albums and is among the all-time best-selling Japanese music artists, having sold more than 20 million records. She is one of the top-touring artists in Japan, becoming the first female artist to play all five of Japan's largest stadiums in 2004. Besides her musical career, Misia is also a committed philanthropist and involves herself in humanitarian causes and biodiversity conservation activities.
Ai Kawashima (川嶋 あい, Kawashima Ai; born February 21, 1986) is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter and pianist. After…
Ai Kawashima (川嶋 あい, Kawashima Ai; born February 21, 1986) is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter and pianist. After overcoming her tragic childhood, she released her debut single Asueno tobira (Door to Tomorrow) as the duo I Wish in 2003. She is well known for her numerous street performances. She is also known for her devotion to help children under circumstances similar to hers in Japan and rest of the world.
Mao Abe (阿部 真央, Abe Mao; born 24 January 1990) is a Japanese singer-songwriter.
Chihiro Onitsuka (鬼束 ちひろ, Onitsuka Chihiro) (born October 30, 1980) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. In 2000, Onitsuka…
Chihiro Onitsuka (鬼束 ちひろ, Onitsuka Chihiro) (born October 30, 1980) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. In 2000, Onitsuka released her debut single "Shine" and gained recognition when its follow-up "Gekkou" became a hit. Insomnia, her first studio album, released in the following year, topped the Japanese Oricon charts and has sold more than a million copies. She won the prize for lyrics of the 43rd Japan Record Awards in 2001 with "Memai", one of the singles from her debut album. Onitsuka has suffered physical and mental illnesses, affecting her career. She put her recording career on hold until March 2007, after some confrontations with record labels and management during the mid-2000s. By 2019 Onitsuka had released seven studio albums, twenty singles, five compilations, and several DVDs, selling at least 4.1 million units.
Minami Kizuki (城 南海, Kizuki Minami), born on 26 December 1989, is a Japanese pop and Shima-uta folk singer. She was…
Minami Kizuki (城 南海, Kizuki Minami), born on 26 December 1989, is a Japanese pop and Shima-uta folk singer. She was born in Amami Ōshima, Kagoshima, Japan. In 2006, Kizuki was recruited by Pony Canyon while performing on Kagoshima City's streets. Her debut single, "Ai Tsumugi" was released on 7 January 2009. She also writes lyrics and compositions. Her latest lyrics (in Japanese) is "Reflection" . It is the theme song of Disney's live-action movie "Mulan" (Japan version) which was released in 2020. She uses guin, a type of kobushi peculiar to traditional folk songs of Amami Ōshima. Guin used at key points in the song captivates the ears of listeners. Recognized as a skilled J-Pop singer, some people are eager to listen to her singing songs of various genres. Some say that her singing voice is like a natural god. She hopes to play a role of conveying the beauty of Japanese language to the world through music. Also, she would like to spread the charm of Amami to the world through songs. She is appointed as a tourism ambassador for some districts in Amami. She is expected to promote Amami by several local governments in Amami. She has participated in the "Uta-shima" project of Amami since May 2018. The project was organized in 2018 to support Amami to be registered as a World Heritage Site. With her 10th anniversary, she has made it a challenge to try various new attempts to further explore and establish her own music. She organized a live tour of English popular music only in July 2019.