Hakushi Hasegawa (Japanese: 長谷川白紙, Hepburn: Hasegawa Hakushi; born December 21, 1998) is a Japanese singer-songwriter…
Hakushi Hasegawa (Japanese: 長谷川白紙, Hepburn: Hasegawa Hakushi; born December 21, 1998) is a Japanese singer-songwriter born in Tokyo, Japan. After releasing music on SoundCloud and signing to netlabel Maltine Records, they made their debut with the release of their first EP, iPhone Six Plus, in 2016. They followed this up with their second EP, Somoku Hodo, in 2018 and their debut album, Air Ni Ni, in 2019, as well as a cover album, Bones of Dreams Attacked!, in 2020. In 2023, Hasegawa signed to American record label Brainfeeder and released their third original album, Mahōgakkō, in 2024. Hasegawa is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns.
Famous Japanese People: Musician
Musician: 65 people
Miyu Takeuchi (竹内 美宥, Takeuchi Miyu; born January 12, 1996, in Tokyo, Japan), known professionally as MiyuMiyu, is a…
Miyu Takeuchi (竹内 美宥, Takeuchi Miyu; born January 12, 1996, in Tokyo, Japan), known professionally as MiyuMiyu, is a Japanese singer and YouTuber. She is a former member of AKB48.
Masashi Kuwata (桑田将司, Kuwata Masashi; born July 18, 1994), known professionally as Matt Kuwata (マット桑田, Matto Kuwata) or…
Masashi Kuwata (桑田将司, Kuwata Masashi; born July 18, 1994), known professionally as Matt Kuwata (マット桑田, Matto Kuwata) or Matt Rose, is a Japanese media personality, model, and musician.
Bialystocks (Hepburn: Biarisutokkusu) are a Japanese pop music band formed in 2019, made up of vocalist Sora Hokimoto…
Bialystocks (Hepburn: Biarisutokkusu) are a Japanese pop music band formed in 2019, made up of vocalist Sora Hokimoto and keyboardist Go Kikuchi. They are signed to Irori Records, a label under Pony Canyon.
Yuta Bandoh (Japanese: 坂東 祐大, Hepburn: Bandō Yūta; born January 25, 1991), also known as Taku Matsushiba (松司馬拓), is a…
Yuta Bandoh (Japanese: 坂東 祐大, Hepburn: Bandō Yūta; born January 25, 1991), also known as Taku Matsushiba (松司馬拓), is a Japanese composer. He is best known for his work on Belle (2021), Yuri on Ice (2016), Kaiju No. 8 (2024), and Poupelle of Chimney Town (2020), as well as his collaborations with Kenshi Yonezu. Bandoh won the 45th Japan Academy Film Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Music for his work on Belle.
Snarky Puppy is an American jazz fusion band led by bassist Michael League. Founded in 2004, Snarky Puppy combines a…
Snarky Puppy is an American jazz fusion band led by bassist Michael League. Founded in 2004, Snarky Puppy combines a variety of jazz idioms, rock, world music, and funk and has won five Grammy Awards. Although the band has worked with vocalists, League described Snarky Puppy as "a pop band that improvises a lot, without vocals".
Han Terra (Korean: 한테라; born March 30, 1982) is a South Korean-born inventor, composer and musician. She was a child…
Han Terra (Korean: 한테라; born March 30, 1982) is a South Korean-born inventor, composer and musician. She was a child prodigy and was performing by age 6 as a Korean kayageum player beginning her training at the age of 4. She has invented a 24-stringed musical instrument called TeRra incorporating artificial intelligence. Han is the first and the youngest individual kayageum musician of Blanchette Rockefeller Fund and who had a debut in the Carnegie Hall in New York City. She was admitted a voting member of the Grammy Awards of The Recording Academy as few East Asian traditional musicians. Han has been appointed as a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She is known to be a polymath in the areas of music, instruments, arts, dance, linguistics, philosophy, psychology, history, literature, writing, journals, fashion, design, technology, science and aesthetics. She has mastered the Eastern traditional arts singing and dancing accompanied with the Western Classical Music, and has been performing globally since.
Hoshiko Yamane (山根星子, Yamane Hoshiko; born 4 April 1981) is a Japanese violinist, composer and performer based in…
Hoshiko Yamane (山根星子, Yamane Hoshiko; born 4 April 1981) is a Japanese violinist, composer and performer based in Berlin. She has been a member of Tangerine Dream since 2011.
Masakatsu Takagi (高木 正勝, Takagi Masakatsu; born 1979) is a musician and visual artist from Kameoka, Kyoto, Japan. He is…
Masakatsu Takagi (高木 正勝, Takagi Masakatsu; born 1979) is a musician and visual artist from Kameoka, Kyoto, Japan. He is well known for writing scores for director Mamoru Hosoda's films, alongside his solo work.
Haruko Momoi (Japanese: 桃井 はるこ, Hepburn: Momoi Haruko; born December 14, 1977) is a Japanese singer, songwriter and…
Haruko Momoi (Japanese: 桃井 はるこ, Hepburn: Momoi Haruko; born December 14, 1977) is a Japanese singer, songwriter and voice actress. She is one of the founders of an all-female pop group called Afilia Saga. She was born in Tokyo, Japan and is affectionately referred to as Halko by her fans, a nickname she gave herself which is inspired by HAL 9000, the computer in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Koji Nakamura (中村 弘二, Nakamura Kōji; born September 28, 1977 in Towada, Aomori) is a Japanese musician who is most…
Koji Nakamura (中村 弘二, Nakamura Kōji; born September 28, 1977 in Towada, Aomori) is a Japanese musician who is most famous for being the lead singer/songwriter in the Japanese band Supercar. His music style in general involves drone-like guitar riffs and mixed in raw electronica. He presently records music under the names iLL and Nakamura Koji, and also participates in a band called Lama.
Hiroki Shimowada (下和田 ヒロキ, Shimowada Hiroki; born April 8, 1976) is a Japanese voice actor and musician from Mie…
Hiroki Shimowada (下和田 ヒロキ, Shimowada Hiroki; born April 8, 1976) is a Japanese voice actor and musician from Mie Prefecture. Currently affiliated with Kekke Corporation.
Tadanobu Satō (佐藤 忠信, Satō Tadanobu; born November 27, 1973), better known by his stage name Tadanobu Asano (浅野 忠信…
Tadanobu Satō (佐藤 忠信, Satō Tadanobu; born November 27, 1973), better known by his stage name Tadanobu Asano (浅野 忠信, Asano Tadanobu), is a Japanese actor, director, and musician, who has had an extensive career working in both Japanese and international cinema. He has been nominated for five Japan Academy Film Prizes, twice for Best Actor and three times for Best Supporting Actor, and is a winner of its Most Popular Performer award. Among his best-known roles are in Hirokazu Kore-eda's Maboroshi no Hikari (1995) and Distance (2001), Hyozo Tashiro in Gohatto (1999), Kakihara in Ichi the Killer (2001), Hattori Genosuke in Zatoichi (2003), Kenji in Last Life in the Universe (also 2003), and Temujin in Mongol (2007). He has also appeared in Hollywood films, notably as Hogun in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Lord Kira Yoshinaka in 47 Ronin (2013), the Interpreter in Silence (2016), Rear Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi in Midway (2019), and Raiden in Mortal Kombat (2021), based on the fighting video game of the same name. He gained additional recognition in 2024 for his portrayal of Lord Kashigi Yabushige on the American television series Shōgun, based on the James Clavell novel, for which he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film. Asano has worked with some of the most prominent and acclaimed directors in Japanese cinema, including Hirokazu Kore-eda, Takeshi Kitano, Nagisa Ōshima, Takashi Miike, Nobuhiko Obayashi and Kiyoshi Kurosawa, along with international directors Martin Scorsese, Kenneth Branagh, Wong Kar-wai, Roland Emmerich, Pen-ek Ratanaruang and Sergei Bodrov. Among other accolades, he has twice won the Best Actor Award at the Yokohama Film Festival, the Upstream Prize for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival, and the Best Actor Award at the Moscow International Film Festival.
Tomomi Adachi (足立 智美, Adachi Tomomi; born 1972 in Kanazawa, Ishikawa) is a Japanese vocal and electronics performer…
Tomomi Adachi (足立 智美, Adachi Tomomi; born 1972 in Kanazawa, Ishikawa) is a Japanese vocal and electronics performer, composer, and instrument builder. He has performed and recorded with artists such as Jaap Blonk, Nicolas Collins, Carl Stone, Noah Creshevsky, Yuji Takahashi, Toshi Ichiyanagi, Ute Wassermann, Jennifer Walshe, Zbigniew Karkowski, Butch Morris, Otomo Yoshihide. Adachi directed Japan's premiere of John Cage's Europera V and Variations VII. He was invited by Asian Cultural Council to New York from 2009 to 2010 and was a guest of the DAAD Berliner Künstlerprogramm in 2012.
Chisato (千聖; stylized in all caps) (born on August 4, 1971) is a Japanese guitarist and singer. Originally known for…
Chisato (千聖; stylized in all caps) (born on August 4, 1971) is a Japanese guitarist and singer. Originally known for being the guitarist of visual kei band Penicillin since 1992, in 1996 he started a solo career that has been successful in Japan. In 2003, he founded the solo project Crack6.
Shigeru Joshima (城島 茂, Jōshima Shigeru; born November 17, 1970) is a Japanese musician, actor and agricultural…
Shigeru Joshima (城島 茂, Jōshima Shigeru; born November 17, 1970) is a Japanese musician, actor and agricultural entrepreneur. He was the leader and main guitarist of Tokio, a musical group of Starto Entertainment, formerly from Johnny & Associates, until its disbandment in 2025.
Maki Mori (森 麻季, born August 19, 1970) is a Japanese soprano.
Yasushi Ishii (石井 妥師, Ishii Yasushi; born 10 March 1970) is a Japanese musician from Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture…
Yasushi Ishii (石井 妥師, Ishii Yasushi; born 10 March 1970) is a Japanese musician from Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. He specializes in experimental, jazz fusion and hard rock. He is famous for his work with anime scores. He composed music for and scored the first Hellsing anime, with the music released as two separate soundtracks. He also was the voice for the Intelligencer in the video game Chaos Legion. In 1991, he debuted as a composer for Epic Records Japan, and started composing music for Misato Watanabe, Takashi Utsunomiya, and went on tour with the band T.utu with the Band. It was at this time that Ishii changed how he wrote his given name from (恭史) to (妥師), though the pronunciation stayed the same. In 1994, T.utu put out their first album, and Utsunomiya, as one of the members of the former members of T.utu, split off into another band named Boyo-Bozo which Ishii also helped compose music for. After Boyo-Bozo broke up, Ishii composed music for a number of other artists including Lazy Knack, Tomoe Shinohara, Masayuki Suzuki, and V6. He also helped produce Naoto Kine's album Liquid Sun, Crystal Kay's first album C.L.L～Crystal Lover Light, and Daisuke Asakura's Siren's Melody single. He also composed the soundtrack for Darker than Black: Origins OVA. In 2012 both he and Hayato Matsuo composed the music for the short anime adaptation of Drifters, a manga series by Hellsing creator Kouta Hirano, this was included as part of the Hellsing: The Dawn OVA series showing up at the end of the final episode and lasting only 150 seconds, later on he composed music for the 2016 anime television series adaptation of Drifters. He maintains a blog since 2007 where he shares new compositions on a monthly basis - some of which (SKY WALKER, BLUES OF FOREVER) are new renditions of songs from his work on Hellsing.
Shoichiro Hokazono (外囿 祥一郎, Hokazono Shoichiro; born December 4, 1969) is a Japanese euphonium player and soloist. He…
Shoichiro Hokazono (外囿 祥一郎, Hokazono Shoichiro; born December 4, 1969) is a Japanese euphonium player and soloist. He most notably played with the Central Band of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force and plays on euphoniums made by Besson.
Mitsuru Igarashi (五十嵐 充, Igarashi Mitsuru; born 17 May 1969 in Tokyo) is the former keyboardist and songwriter of…
Mitsuru Igarashi (五十嵐 充, Igarashi Mitsuru; born 17 May 1969 in Tokyo) is the former keyboardist and songwriter of Japanese pop group Every Little Thing. He founded the band in early 1996 with his old friend Ichirō Itō and then 18-year-old singer Kaori Mochida. He left Every Little Thing in April 2000 after releasing the third album, Eternity. Since leaving the band, he started producing music for the band Day After Tomorrow which disbanded in 2005. Currently he plays keyboards and is a songmaker and producer in band Rushmore. He was also involved in composing and writing song lyrics for Every Little Thing's ninth album, Change.
Tatsuya Oe (オオエタツヤ, Ōe Tatsuya) (born 28 November 1969) is a New York-based Japanese composer, recording artist, music…
Tatsuya Oe (オオエタツヤ, Ōe Tatsuya) (born 28 November 1969) is a New York-based Japanese composer, recording artist, music producer, and DJ, best known for the moniker of Captain Funk. He is known for his mastery and diversity of composition and music production in electronic, dance, rock, pop, and dramatic scores. In addition to commercial releases under recording artist monikers of Captain Funk, (Tatsuya) OE, and Dark Model, he has composed for and has been often featured on TV, film, video games, animation projects, and corporate branding campaigns in the US, Europe, and Asia markets. In July 2012, his composed piece as Dark Model was included on the first footage reel of 2013 movie Elysium (starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster. dir: Neill Blomkamp) played at San Diego Comic-Con. Tatsuya has collaborated with or remixed numerous artists/bands such as James Brown, Diana Ross, Chic, Simon Le Bon, Ron Sexsmith, Serge Gainsbourg, and many other icons. He is also called "Remix Wizard." Oe participated in Panasonic's global branding movie Experience Color which won "The Finalist Award" in New York Festivals, as well as "Silver Prize" for the Tokyo Interactive Ad Awards. Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim) described his music as "F***ing insane!" Captain Funk's album, "Songs of the Siren," was selected by Billboard for their feature story "Year in Music 2001/Critic's Choice", and his song "Twist & Shout" was featured as a theme song in SABU's movie "Monday." In autumn 2013, he relocated from Japan to the United States. In April 2018, Oe won the 16th Annual Independent Music Awards (IMA) for Best Dance/Electronica Album with "Saga," the second album as Dark Model.
Mitsuo Terada (寺田 光男, Terada Mitsuo; born October 29, 1968), known professionally as Tsunku (つんく♂), is a Japanese…
Mitsuo Terada (寺田 光男, Terada Mitsuo; born October 29, 1968), known professionally as Tsunku (つんく♂), is a Japanese singer, record producer, and songwriter. He was the lead singer of the rock band Sharam Q. As a songwriter, Tsunku is the primary producer for Morning Musume and other Hello! Project acts, such as Coconuts Musume, Berryz Kobo, Cute, V-u-den, Aya Matsuura, and Maki Goto. He has also produced music for artists such as EE Jump and Sonim. Aside from musical acts, Tsunku has also produced soundtracks for anime and video game series such as Rhythm Heaven and ClassicaLoid. The total sales of the singles he has written exceed 37.9 million copies, making him the fifth best-selling lyricist in Japan.
Yukito Ara (新良 幸人, Ara Yukito; born 1967) is a Japanese sanshin player and Okinawa min'yō (traditional folk songs)…
Yukito Ara (新良 幸人, Ara Yukito; born 1967) is a Japanese sanshin player and Okinawa min'yō (traditional folk songs) singer.
Shinichi Osawa (Japanese: 大沢 伸一, Hepburn: Ōsawa Shin'ichi; born 7 February 1967), also known by his stage name Mondo…
Shinichi Osawa (Japanese: 大沢 伸一, Hepburn: Ōsawa Shin'ichi; born 7 February 1967), also known by his stage name Mondo Grosso, is a Japanese musician, DJ, record producer and composer. Over the course of his career, he has worked in genres ranging from acid jazz to house, with strong influences of underground club music, though his recent work has been in the genre of electro house. HMV Japan rated Mondo Grosso at number 95 on their "Top 100 Japanese Pop Artists," and Shinichi Osawa was ranked as Japan's number 3 overall DJ by TopDeejays.com as of 2016.
Towa Tei (鄭 東和, Tei Tōwa; born September 7, 1964) is a Japanese artist, record producer, and DJ. Born in Yokohama…
Towa Tei (鄭 東和, Tei Tōwa; born September 7, 1964) is a Japanese artist, record producer, and DJ. Born in Yokohama, Japan, Towa was a member of Deee-Lite, from the US label Elektra Records in 1990, notable for their international hit single, "Groove Is In the Heart". He made his solo debut with the album Future Listening! in 1994. He has since relocated from New York to rural Nagano Prefecture in Japan. Towa's second studio album, Sound Museum (1997), became his highest charting effort at number 17 on the Oricon charts. Its single, "GBI (German Bold Italic)" featuring Kylie Minogue and Haruomi Hosono, reached number 50 and 63 in Australia and the United Kingdom, respectively. He saw continued success with 1999's Last Century Modern as its single, "Let Me Know" featuring Chara, peaked at number 34 in Japan, his highest entry. Towa has collaborated with Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yukihiro Takahashi, Akiko Yano, Ringo Sheena, and Arto Lindsay, among others. His concept party, "Hotel H", started in 2009 as a social spot for music industry people in Tokyo.
Shinji Aoyama (青山 真治, Aoyama Shinji; 13 July 1964 – 21 March 2022) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter…
Shinji Aoyama (青山 真治, Aoyama Shinji; 13 July 1964 – 21 March 2022) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter, composer, film critic, and novelist. He graduated from Rikkyo University. He won two awards at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival for his film Eureka.
Masashi Fujimoto (藤本 政志, Fujimoto Masashi; born 1963) is a Japanese actor, singer, musician, and entertainer who lives…
Masashi Fujimoto (藤本 政志, Fujimoto Masashi; born 1963) is a Japanese actor, singer, musician, and entertainer who lives in London, UK. He was born in Hiroshima in 1963, and graduated in music from Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo in 1985. He joined Nikikai Opera in 1988. He moved to Italy in 1992, then to the UK in 1995. Fujimoto's most high-profile role was as the MC, Mr Banzai, in the Channel 4 and Fox show Banzai. In 2007, he appeared in the BBC Two comedy series Roman's Empire as Mr Hokkasawa. He is the voice of Mr Okatami in the game Party Game: Mr. Okatami's Winning Post released in November 2007 for the PlayStation 2. He appeared in the music video for the song "Watch Out" by Alex Gaudino feat. Shena as a referee. In 2020 he appeared in the episode "Fish" (Series 1, Episode 4) of Diane Morgan's short comedy Mandy.
Shunji Iwai (Japanese: 岩井 俊二, Hepburn: Iwai Shunji; born 24 January 1963) is a Japanese filmmaker, video artist…
Shunji Iwai (Japanese: 岩井 俊二, Hepburn: Iwai Shunji; born 24 January 1963) is a Japanese filmmaker, video artist, editor, and composer.
Ko Matsushita (松下 耕, born 16 October 1962) is a Japanese conductor and composer. Matsushita was born and raised in…
Ko Matsushita (松下 耕, born 16 October 1962) is a Japanese conductor and composer. Matsushita was born and raised in Tokyo. He studied composition in the Kunitachi College of Music and chorus conducting in the Kodály Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary. As of 2009, he conducts 10 choirs, and has won international Choir prizes with some of them.
Keiichi Tomita (冨田 恵一, Tomita Keiichi; born January 1, 1962) is a Japanese music producer, composer, and arranger.…
Keiichi Tomita (冨田 恵一, Tomita Keiichi; born January 1, 1962) is a Japanese music producer, composer, and arranger. Known in Japan as a "pop maestro" and "master of sound," Tomita has produced several tracks that have achieved popularity in Japan, including Misia’s song "Everything" and Mika Nakashima’s debut single "Stars." He has collaborated with a diverse array of musicians, including Kirinji, Bird, Maaya Sakamoto, Ringo Sheena, and Kaela Kimura.
Masaya Matsuura (松浦 雅也, Matsūra Masaya) (born June 16, 1961) is a Japanese musician and video game designer based in…
Masaya Matsuura (松浦 雅也, Matsūra Masaya) (born June 16, 1961) is a Japanese musician and video game designer based in Tokyo, Japan. He was born in Osaka on June 16, 1961, and majored in Industrial Society at Ritsumeikan University. He has worked extensively with music production, sound design, and visuals, and has been active with the J-pop duo Psy-S. He has also been credited with popularizing the modern music video game at his studio NanaOn-Sha. In 2009, he was chosen by IGN as one of the top 100 game creators of all time.
Ōsama (王様, Ōsama; born Ōsama Jirō (王様 治郎, Ousama Jirou)) is a Japanese musician and guitarist. He is from Nishinomiya…
Ōsama (王様, Ōsama; born Ōsama Jirō (王様 治郎, Ousama Jirou)) is a Japanese musician and guitarist. He is from Nishinomiya in Hyōgo Prefecture.
Otomo Yoshihide (大友 良英, Ōtomo Yoshihide; born August 1, 1959) is a Japanese composer and multi-instrumentalist. He…
Otomo Yoshihide (大友 良英, Ōtomo Yoshihide; born August 1, 1959) is a Japanese composer and multi-instrumentalist. He mainly plays guitar, turntables and electronics. He first came to international prominence in the 1990s as the leader of the experimental rock group Ground Zero, and has since worked in a variety of contexts, ranging from free improvisation to noise, jazz, avant-garde and contemporary classical. He is also a pioneering figure in the EAI-scene, and is featured on important records on labels like Erstwhile Records. He has composed music for many films, television dramas, and commercials. In 2017, Otomo became the 2nd Guest Artistic Director of The Sapporo International Art Festival 2017.
Yves Lafontaine (born 16 July 1959), is a Canadian musician, luthier and writer.
Yasuharu Konishi (小西 康陽, Konishi Yasuharu; born February 3, 1959) is a Japanese musician, composer and DJ. He was a…
Yasuharu Konishi (小西 康陽, Konishi Yasuharu; born February 3, 1959) is a Japanese musician, composer and DJ. He was a founding member of Pizzicato Five and the only such to stay with the group until its breakup in 2001. Konishi's current activities are through his company readymade entertainment and his record label 524 records (a play on words from Konishi's name, as the numbers 524 can be read ko-ni-shi in Japanese using goroawase).
Hideo Saitō (Japanese: 斉藤 英夫, Hepburn: Saitō Hideo; born May 30, 1958), is a Japanese musician and composer, best known…
Hideo Saitō (Japanese: 斉藤 英夫, Hepburn: Saitō Hideo; born May 30, 1958), is a Japanese musician and composer, best known for his collaborations with Chisato Moritaka from 1987 to 1995. He is also the producer of the musical cat group Musashi's.
Sayuri Kume (Japanese: 久米小百合 (Kume Sayuri)), also known as Saki Kubota (Japanese: 久保田早紀 (Kubota Saki)), is a Japanese…
Sayuri Kume (Japanese: 久米小百合 (Kume Sayuri)), also known as Saki Kubota (Japanese: 久保田早紀 (Kubota Saki)), is a Japanese singer-songwriter whose song Ihojin (1979) (Japanese: 異邦人) sold more than 1.4 million copies and reached number 1 in the Japanese singles chart. The song was used in the "Silk Road" television commercial for Sanyo. Her album Yumegatari (Japanese: 夢がたり) stayed at number 1 in the Oricon chart for seven consecutive weeks from 31 December 1979 to 11 February 1980. Her album Tenkai (Japanese: 天界) reached number 11 in the Japanese chart in 1980. Her album Saudade (Japanese: サウダーデ) reached number 54 in the Japanese chart. Her album Yoruno Sokowa Yawarakana Maboroshi (1984) has been described as her greatest masterpiece. Her single Nijūgoji (1980) (Japanese: 25時) reached number 19 in the Japanese chart. Her single Kugatsu No Iro (Japanese: 九月の色) (1980) reached number 51 in the Japanese chart. Her single Orange Airmail Special (Japanese: オレンジ・エアメール・スペシャル) (1981) reached number 62 in the Japanese chart. She appeared on The Best Ten, Yoru no Hit Studio, and Music Fair. She sang songs in the new music genre (Japanese: ニューミュージック, nyū myūjikku). She has been described as the standard bearer of that genre. She was awarded the female newcomer award (Japanese: 女性新人賞) at the 13th Japan Record Sales Awards (Japanese: 日本レコードセールス大賞) in 1980. In January 2020, a box set was released under the title Saki Kubota Premium to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her debut in 1979.
Chosei Komatsu (小松 長生, Komatsu Chōsei; born March 1, 1958) is a Japanese conductor who, from 2003 to 2010, was artistic…
Chosei Komatsu (小松 長生, Komatsu Chōsei; born March 1, 1958) is a Japanese conductor who, from 2003 to 2010, was artistic director of Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Costa Rica. Also, after five years as music director of Japan’s Central Aichi Symphony Orchestra, he assumed the title of Conductor Laureate.
Merzbow (Japanese: メルツバウ, Hepburn: Merutsubau) is a Japanese noise project started in 1979 by Masami Akita, best known…
Merzbow (Japanese: メルツバウ, Hepburn: Merutsubau) is a Japanese noise project started in 1979 by Masami Akita, best known for a style of harsh noise music. Since 1980, Akita has released over 500 recordings and collaborated with numerous artists. The name Merzbow comes from the German dada artist Kurt Schwitters' artwork Merzbau, in which Schwitters transformed the interior of his house using found objects. The name was chosen to reflect Akita's dada influence and junk art aesthetic. In addition to this, Akita has cited a wide range of musical influences from progressive rock, heavy metal, free jazz, and early electronic music to non-musical influences like dadaism, surrealism and fetish culture. Since the early 2000s, he has been inspired by animal rights and environmentalism, and began to follow a vegan, straight edge lifestyle. In addition to being a prolific musician, he has been a writer and editor for several books and magazines in Japan, and has written several books of his own. He has written about a variety of subjects, mostly about music, modern art, and underground culture. His more renowned works were on the topics of BDSM and Japanese bondage. Other art forms Akita has been interested in include painting, photography, filmmaking, and Butoh dance. In 2000, Extreme Records released the 50 CD box set Merzbox. Akita's work has been the subject of several remix albums and at least one tribute album. This, among other achievements, has helped Merzbow to be regarded by some as the "most important artist in noise".
Akira Mitake (見岳 章; born November 11, 1956) is a Japanese composer from Tokyo. He is known for his collaborations with…
Akira Mitake (見岳 章; born November 11, 1956) is a Japanese composer from Tokyo. He is known for his collaborations with director Yukihiko Tsutsumi, including such films as Chinese Dinner (2001), 2LDK (2003), EGG (2005) and Taitei no Ken (2007). Mitake composed "Kawa no nagare no yō ni" (川の流れのように), Like the Flow of the River, a song recorded by Japanese enka singer Hibari Misora.
Ryo Ishibashi (石橋 凌, Ishibashi Ryō; born Hideki Ishibashi; July 20, 1956) is a Japanese actor and singer. He is known…
Ryo Ishibashi (石橋 凌, Ishibashi Ryō; born Hideki Ishibashi; July 20, 1956) is a Japanese actor and singer. He is known internationally for his starring roles in the horror films Audition (1999), Suicide Club (2001), The Grudge (2004) and its sequel The Grudge 2 (2006). He is also the lead singer of the Japanese rock band ARB.
Kyoji Yamamoto (Japanese: 山本 恭司, Hepburn: Yamamoto Kyōji; born March 23, 1956, in Matsue, Shimane, Japan) is a Japanese…
Kyoji Yamamoto (Japanese: 山本 恭司, Hepburn: Yamamoto Kyōji; born March 23, 1956, in Matsue, Shimane, Japan) is a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer who is the leader of the hard rock/heavy metal bands Bow Wow (known as Vow Wow for a period of time) and Wild Flag. He is known for his skillful guitar playing, with former bandmate Neil Murray calling him one of the top Japanese guitarists, and was one of the first hard rock guitarists to use the tapping technique. Yamamoto often uses 24-fret Yamaha HR guitars.
Osao Chosei Funahara (born December 10, 1953) is a musician and film director and producer. Born in Hyōgo Prefecture of…
Osao Chosei Funahara (born December 10, 1953) is a musician and film director and producer. Born in Hyōgo Prefecture of Japan, Chosei Funahara was educated in both the United States and Japan. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Nihon University College of Art's Cinema department in Tokyo. While pursuing New York University's NYU Graduate School of Arts and Science (Cinema Studies), he performed as bassist and founding member of the cult punk rock group the Plasmatics.
Yoshikazu Suo (周防 義和, Suo Yoshikazu; born in 1953) is a Japanese musician from Tokyo, Japan. He has composed and…
Yoshikazu Suo (周防 義和, Suo Yoshikazu; born in 1953) is a Japanese musician from Tokyo, Japan. He has composed and arranged music for films and dramas, among others.
Mitsuyoshi Yoshino (吉野 光義, Yoshino Mitsuyoshi; born 13 December 1951), known professionally as Mickie Yoshino (ミッキー吉野…
Mitsuyoshi Yoshino (吉野 光義, Yoshino Mitsuyoshi; born 13 December 1951), known professionally as Mickie Yoshino (ミッキー吉野, Mikkī Yoshino), is a Japanese keyboardist, composer, producer, and arranger. Yoshino is known for leading the rock band Godiego. In 2005, he won a Japan Academy Prize for his music. Yoshino's compositions were used in the film Swing Girls (Altamira Pictures). Yoshino still produces music with groups such as Godiego and EnTRANS.
Tetsurō Kashibuchi (かしぶち 哲郎, Kashibuchi Tetsurō; November 9, 1950 – December 17, 2013) was a Japanese musician…
Tetsurō Kashibuchi (かしぶち 哲郎, Kashibuchi Tetsurō; November 9, 1950 – December 17, 2013) was a Japanese musician, composer, and record producer.
Nobuyoshi Ino (born March 26, 1950, Gunma) is a Japanese jazz double-bassist. Ino began playing professionally in the…
Nobuyoshi Ino (born March 26, 1950, Gunma) is a Japanese jazz double-bassist. Ino began playing professionally in the early 1970s, and worked in that decade with Motohiko Hino, Terumasa Hino, Kosuke Mine, Akira Miyazawa, Masahiko Sato, Isao Suzuki, Hidefumi Toki, and Kazumi Watanabe. Early in the 1980s he played with Masayuki Takayanagi and Aki Takase, then formed a duo with Lester Bowie, performing from 1984 to 1988 (including on the 1985 album Duet). He also worked with Alex Schlippenbach and Sunny Murray in a trio setting and toured with Elvin Jones. He founded an ensemble called Four Sounds in 1989 which featured Kosuke Mine, Fumio Itabashi, and Hiroshi Murakami as sidemen. Later in his career he worked with Masahiko Togashi as well as with Aki Takase once more.
Shoukichi Kina (喜納昌吉, Kina Shōkichi; born June 10, 1948 in Koza, Okinawa), is a Japanese rock musician and politician.…
Shoukichi Kina (喜納昌吉, Kina Shōkichi; born June 10, 1948 in Koza, Okinawa), is a Japanese rock musician and politician. He, along with his band Champloose, played a large role in the Okinawan home-grown "folk rock" scene in the 1970s and 1980s. His first big hit was "Haisai Ojisan" ("Hey, old man") in 1972, which he wrote when he was in high school. A Song from the 1980 album Blood Lines, "Hana" also named "Subete no Hito no Kokoro ni Hana o", is frequently heard in international markets. He was elected a member of the House of Councillors in July 2004. In 2010 he ran for a second term but lost.
Kazuhiko Katō (加藤 和彦, Katō Kazuhiko; March 21, 1947 – October 17, 2009), nicknamed "Tonovan" (トノヴァン), was a Japanese…
Kazuhiko Katō (加藤 和彦, Katō Kazuhiko; March 21, 1947 – October 17, 2009), nicknamed "Tonovan" (トノヴァン), was a Japanese record producer, songwriter and singer. He sometimes used the spelling of "Kazuhiko Katoh".
Ken Narita (成田 賢, Narita Ken; October 22, 1945 – November 13, 2018) was a Japanese musician and singer who primarily…
Ken Narita (成田 賢, Narita Ken; October 22, 1945 – November 13, 2018) was a Japanese musician and singer who primarily sang anison, or anime theme songs. He was most known for being the singer of the theme songs "For Whom" (誰がために, Ta ga Tame ni) of the 1979 anime Cyborg 009 and "Oh, Denshi Sentai Denziman" (ああ電子戦隊デンジマン, Aa Denshi Sentai Denjiman) of the 1980 Super Sentai series, Denshi Sentai Denziman. He released Super Best! For Whom?: Ken Narita History (スーパーベスト 誰がために～成田賢ヒストリー, Sūpābesuto Ta ga Tame ni~Narita Ken Hisutorī), a compilation of his works. He also provided vocals to a song on the soundtrack to the 1977 film House. Narita died from pneumonia on November 13, 2018, at the age of 73.