Rolly Teranishi (ローリー 寺西, Rōrī Teranishi) more commonly known as Rolly, is a Japanese musician and music producer.
Osaka Prefecture: 93 people
Rolly Teranishi (ローリー 寺西, Rōrī Teranishi) more commonly known as Rolly, is a Japanese musician and music producer.
Satoko Yamano (山野 さと子, Yamano Satoko; born August 2, 1963) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Higashiōsaka…
Satoko Yamano (山野 さと子, Yamano Satoko; born August 2, 1963) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Higashiōsaka, Osaka, Japan. She is known for having performed over 1,000 songs, famously the second opening rendition of Doraemon no Uta that was used as the opening theme song for the Doraemon television series from 1992 to 2002 and for the Doraemon films from 1989 to 2004.
Naoko Kawai (河合奈保子) (born 24 July 1963) is a Japanese former pop idol, singer-songwriter, and composer who was active…
Naoko Kawai (河合奈保子) (born 24 July 1963) is a Japanese former pop idol, singer-songwriter, and composer who was active in the 1980s. Kawai was from the same generation as Seiko Matsuda, Yoshimi Iwasaki, Junko Mihara and Yoshie Kashiwabara, who all debuted in 1980. After her marriage in 1996, she changed her maiden surname to Naoko Kanehara (金原奈保子) and completely suspended music activities. Since then, Kawai has resided in Australia.
Mayo Kawasaki (川﨑麻世, Kawasaki Mayo; born 1 March 1963, in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese actor and singer. He…
Mayo Kawasaki (川﨑麻世, Kawasaki Mayo; born 1 March 1963, in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese actor and singer. He grew up in Hirakata, Osaka. His father is former actor Jo Azumi. His wife is Carolyn Kawasaki.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Miki Matsubara (松原 みき, Matsubara Miki; 28 November 1959 – 7 October 2004) was a Japanese singer and songwriter. She…
Miki Matsubara (松原 みき, Matsubara Miki; 28 November 1959 – 7 October 2004) was a Japanese singer and songwriter. She contributed to the opening and ending theme songs of the anime Gu-Gu Ganmo under the name Suzie Matsubara. Her 1979 debut song "Mayonaka no Door (Stay With Me)" became a hit, reaching No. 28 on the Oricon chart. Believing that her cancer diagnosis was the result of the lifestyle she lived during her career, Matsubara retired and severed all connections to the music world in 2000, dying from cervical cancer four years later at the age of 44. Since 2020, "Mayonaka no Door" has become widely known overseas due to its use on TikTok and the resurgence of the city pop genre.
Tatsuo Kamon (嘉門 達夫, Kamon Tatsuo), real name Tatsuo Torikai (鳥飼 達夫, Torikai Tatsuo), is a Japanese singer-songwriter…
Tatsuo Kamon (嘉門 達夫, Kamon Tatsuo), real name Tatsuo Torikai (鳥飼 達夫, Torikai Tatsuo), is a Japanese singer-songwriter born 25 March 1959 in Ibaraki, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. He is represented by the talent management firm Daikan'yama Production, and releases works through Daipro-X, a record company which is a subsidiary of Daikan'yama. He made his professional singer-songwriter debut in 1983 by winning two major awards and being named the "Rookie of the Year" for his single Yankee no Niichan no Uta (ヤンキーの兄ちゃんのうた, Yankī no Niichan no Uta).
Joji Tani (Japanese: 谷譲治, Hepburn: Tani Jōji), known as Screaming Mad George (October 7, 1956 – February 10, 2026), was…
Joji Tani (Japanese: 谷譲治, Hepburn: Tani Jōji), known as Screaming Mad George (October 7, 1956 – February 10, 2026), was a Japanese special effects artist, film director and musician. He was born in Osaka, Japan, and emigrated to the United States, where he became known for his surreal, grotesque and gory special effects. He collaborated with director and producer Brian Yuzna on many films.
Miyuki Kawanaka (川中 美幸, Kawanaka Miyuki; December 5, 1955) is a Japanese enka singer. Her singing career spanned over…
Miyuki Kawanaka (川中 美幸, Kawanaka Miyuki; December 5, 1955) is a Japanese enka singer. Her singing career spanned over four decades. She married Katsuo Yamada in 1991.
Yūko Tanaka (田中 裕子, Tanaka Yūko; born April 29, 1955) is a Japanese actress from Osaka Prefecture, Japan. She has won…
Yūko Tanaka (田中 裕子, Tanaka Yūko; born April 29, 1955) is a Japanese actress from Osaka Prefecture, Japan. She has won several acting awards during a long career working in both film and television, after she graduated from Meiji University.
Yoshimi Yoshida (吉田 芳美, Yoshida Yoshimi; born September 26, 1954), better known as Yoshimi Tendo (天童 よしみ, Tendō…
Yoshimi Yoshida (吉田 芳美, Yoshida Yoshimi; born September 26, 1954), better known as Yoshimi Tendo (天童 よしみ, Tendō Yoshimi), is a Japanese enka singer. She made her debut in 1970, but only began to be recognised in 1985, after changing record company, releasing her hit single (道頓堀人情), which went on to sell over half a million copies. She made her first NHK Red and White Song Festival performance in 1993, but was not selected to perform again until 1996, the year she released her biggest hit (珍島物語) and won the best singing award, establishing herself as one of the best female enka singers. And from 1996 onwards, Yoshimi has performed for 21 years consecutively in the prestigious year-end show.
Yūki Mizuhara (水原ゆう紀) is a Japanese actress from Minoh, Osaka. She won the award for best actress at the 1st Yokohama…
Yūki Mizuhara (水原ゆう紀) is a Japanese actress from Minoh, Osaka. She won the award for best actress at the 1st Yokohama Film Festival for the Nikkatsu Roman Porno film Angel Guts: Red Classroom. She also appeared in Nikkatsu's 1982 production Red Scandal: Affair, a "thinly-veiled replica of Luis Buñuel's Belle de Jour."
Eigo Kawashima (河島英五, Kawashima Eigo; 23 April 1952 – 16 April 2001) was a Japanese singer-songwriter.
Akiko Wada (和田 アキ子, Wada Akiko; born April 10, 1950) is an ethnically Korean/Japanese singer, tarento and businesswoman…
Akiko Wada (和田 アキ子, Wada Akiko; born April 10, 1950) is an ethnically Korean/Japanese singer, tarento and businesswoman from Tennōji-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture. She has various nicknames, one being "Akko". Due to her above-average height (174 cm or 5’8.5"), she is also nicknamed jotei (女帝), meaning "empress".
Takao Horiuchi (堀内孝雄, Horiuchi Takao; born October 27, 1949 in Abeno-ku, Osaka) is a Japanese pop and enka singer. He…
Takao Horiuchi (堀内孝雄, Horiuchi Takao; born October 27, 1949 in Abeno-ku, Osaka) is a Japanese pop and enka singer. He won a 1990 Japan Record Award for enka.
Takajin Yashiki (やしき たかじん, Yashiki Takajin; real name Takaji Yashiki (家鋪 隆仁, Yashiki Takaji)), often referred to as…
Takajin Yashiki (やしき たかじん, Yashiki Takajin; real name Takaji Yashiki (家鋪 隆仁, Yashiki Takaji)), often referred to as simply Takajin (たかじん), (5 October 1949 – 3 January 2014) was a Japanese singer and television personality. Born in Nishinari-ku, Osaka, Japan, to a Zainichi-issei Korean father Gonzaburou ((unknown surname) 權三郞) and a Japanese mother Mitsuko Yashiki (Japanese: 家鋪光子), he started his singing career in the 1970s in Gion, Kyoto, and then moved to Shimokitazawa, Tokyo in 1980. In 1981, he sang the theme song of the first movie of the Mobile Suit Gundam, Suna no Jūjika and it sold thirteen thousand CDs. He moved back to Osaka in 1982 and had been active mainly in the Kansai region since then. He sang many songs about Osaka such as Yappa Suki Yanen (1986), Osaka Koi Monogatari (1989), Nametonka (1990) and Tokyo (1993). He was popular in Kansai as a frank television presenter. Having made public his dislike of Tokyo, Takajin rarely made appearances on TV stations in Tokyo. He also kept a blacklist of people he wouldn't appear with. His trademark was sunglasses. He wore them because of his taste and glaucoma. In January 2012, he announced that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and that he would take a leave and concentrate on its treatment. He made a short comeback in 2013, but he died on January 3, 2014. Takajin owned five racehorses between years 1998-2006.
Shinji Tanimura (谷村 新司, Tanimura Shinji; 11 December 1948 – 8 October 2023) was a Japanese singer-songwriter.
Riyoko Ikeda (池田 理代子, Ikeda Riyoko; born December 18, 1947) is a Japanese manga artist and singer. She was one of the…
Riyoko Ikeda (池田 理代子, Ikeda Riyoko; born December 18, 1947) is a Japanese manga artist and singer. She was one of the most popular mangaka in the 1970s, being best known for The Rose of Versailles.
Katsuko Kanai (Japanese: 金井 克子, Hepburn: Kanai Katsuko; born 17 June 1945) is a Japanese singer, dancer, and actress.…
Katsuko Kanai (Japanese: 金井 克子, Hepburn: Kanai Katsuko; born 17 June 1945) is a Japanese singer, dancer, and actress. Born in occupied China, she worked in ballet during her youth and was a regular cast member on Uta no Grand Show and a member of Les Girls. She released dozens of singles as a singer, including the popular "Tanin no Kankei" (1973). Her accolades include a 1966 Galaxy Award and a 2019 Japan Record Awards Achievement Award.
Yuya Uchida (Japanese: 内田 裕也, Hepburn: Uchida Yūya; November 17, 1939 – March 17, 2019) was a Japanese singer, record…
Yuya Uchida (Japanese: 内田 裕也, Hepburn: Uchida Yūya; November 17, 1939 – March 17, 2019) was a Japanese singer, record producer, and actor. With a career spanning six decades, he was a major figure in Japanese music. Kazuo Takeda stated that Japanese rock would not be what it is today without Uchida, as he was one of the first to bring what was happening in the West in the mid-1960s back to Japan. He appeared in numerous films, such as Nagisa Ōshima's Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, and won two best acting awards. He also starred in the American film Black Rain.
From Osaka came the 'musical anarchist' Tadamaru Sakuragawa (桜川 唯丸, Sakuragawa Tadamaru), who sang in a style called…
From Osaka came the 'musical anarchist' Tadamaru Sakuragawa (桜川 唯丸, Sakuragawa Tadamaru), who sang in a style called Goshu ondo. With the backing of the now disbanded Spiritual Unity, Tadamaru broke out of the festival circuit with his only album, Ullambana, released in 1991. Ullambana is a Sanskrit word that refers to a Buddhism sutra, and is the origin of the Japanese word Urabonne whose shortened form Bon or Obon is now widely used throughout Japan. Tadamaru's music is characterized as a radical new workout of summer festival music from Kansai area of Japan. The song Yui Maru Bushi from the album can be found here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/world/guidejapan2.shtml https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1W7EGULc6s Tadamaru retired in 1995 and passed his name to one of his pupils who now sings as Tadamaru Sakuragawa II (二代目 桜川唯丸). Music of Japan
Akiyuki Nosaka (野坂 昭如, Nosaka Akiyuki; October 10, 1930 – December 9, 2015) was a Japanese novelist, journalist…
Akiyuki Nosaka (野坂 昭如, Nosaka Akiyuki; October 10, 1930 – December 9, 2015) was a Japanese novelist, journalist, singer, lyricist, and member of the House of Councillors. As a broadcasting writer he used the name Yukio Aki (阿木 由紀夫, Aki Yukio) and his alias as a chanson singer was Claude Nosaka (クロード 野坂, Kurōdo Nosaka). He wrote the short story "Grave of the Fireflies" based on his experiences in the wake of American bombing during the Second World War; the short story has been adapted into both an animated film and a live-action film.
Hisaya Morishige (森繁 久彌, Morishige Hisaya; May 4, 1913 – November 10, 2009) was a Japanese actor and comedian. Born in…
Hisaya Morishige (森繁 久彌, Morishige Hisaya; May 4, 1913 – November 10, 2009) was a Japanese actor and comedian. Born in Hirakata, Osaka, he graduated from Kitano Middle School (now Kitano High School), and attended Waseda University. He began his career as a stage actor, then became an announcer for NHK, working in Manchukuo. He became famous in films first for comedy roles, appearing in series such as the "Company President" (Shacho) and "Station Front" (Ekimae) series, produced by Toho. He appeared in nearly 250 films, both contemporary and jidaigeki. He was also famous on stage playing Tevye in the Japanese version of Fiddler on the Roof. He also appeared in television series and specials, and was the first guest on the television talk show Tetsuko's Room in 1975. He was long-time head of the Japan Actors Union. Among many honors, Morishige received the Order of Culture from the Emperor of Japan in 1991. Hisaya Morishige died of natural causes at a hospital in Tokyo on November 10, 2009, at the age of 96.
Miku Sawai (沢井 美空, Sawai Miku; born September 16, 1993) is a Japanese musician from Osaka who is signed to Sony Music…
Miku Sawai (沢井 美空, Sawai Miku; born September 16, 1993) is a Japanese musician from Osaka who is signed to Sony Music Entertainment Japan. She made her debut as a professional artist in 2011 with the release of her first single "Atashi, Kyō, Shitsuren Shimashita". Her music has been used as theme songs to various anime television series such as Kimi to Boku, Kill la Kill, Akame ga Kill, and Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend.
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.
Ami Nakashima (中島 麻未, Nakashima Ami; born May 11, 1988), known as Ami or Dream Ami, is a Japanese singer, dancer and…
Ami Nakashima (中島 麻未, Nakashima Ami; born May 11, 1988), known as Ami or Dream Ami, is a Japanese singer, dancer and television personality. She is a former member of the Japanese girl groups Dream and E-girls. She debuted as a member of the eight-member group Dream in 2002 at the age of 14, and she had remained throughout several line-up changes until the group stopped their activities. She gained fame after becoming part of the collective girl group E-girls in 2011. In 2015, she debuted as a solo artist with the single "Dress o Nuida Cinderella". Apart from music activities, she is widely known for her regular appearances on Japanese television and various media, and was ranked as one of the most popular Japanese female idols by Nikkei in 2016 and 2017.
Shota Shimizu (清水 翔太, Shimizu Shōta; born 27 February 1989) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician from Yao…
Shota Shimizu (清水 翔太, Shimizu Shōta; born 27 February 1989) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician from Yao, Osaka, Japan, who debuted in 2008. On June 1, 2008, Shimizu performed at Central Park in New York City during the annual Japan Day Festival. Shota Shimizu went to a local Christian school in Osaka where he learned how to sing gospel music. He became captivated with soul music, which is how his music career started. He was inspired by Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, and Ray Charles. Before his debut, in November 2007, Shimizu sang in English on amateur night at the Apollo Theater in New York City. He was called a "one in a million soul singer" by a local newspaper in New York. The second time he performed at the Apollo Theater was on November 19, 2008. He sang the song "Sukiyaki" by Kyu Sakamoto in Japanese, where he was given a standing ovation from an audience of 1,500 people. He said he sang it because he wanted to show his Japanese pride and demonstrate the beauty of the Japanese language.
Angerme (アンジュルム, Anjurumu), formerly Smileage (スマイレージ, Sumairēji; stylized as S/mileage, from 2009–2015), is a Japanese…
Angerme (アンジュルム, Anjurumu), formerly Smileage (スマイレージ, Sumairēji; stylized as S/mileage, from 2009–2015), is a Japanese idol girl group from the musical collective Hello! Project. Since the group's formation in 2009, the group has seen changes in membership. The current members consist of Layla Ise, Rin Hashisako, Rin Kawana, Shion Tamenaga, Wakana Matsumoto, Yuki Hirayama, Yukiho Shimoitani, Hana Goto, and Momoha Nagano. The group was formed in 2009 under the name Smileage, consisting of four members of Hello! Project's trainee group, Hello Pro Egg. They released their debut single, "Suki-chan", under an indie label in the same year. The group made their major label debut in 2010 with the single "Yume Miru 15", in which they won the Japan Record Award for Best New Artist the same year. In 2015, the group changed their name to Angerme.
ChouCho (ちょうちょ, Chōcho; lit. "Butterfly", born June 21) is a Japanese singer from Osaka Prefecture and is signed to…
ChouCho (ちょうちょ, Chōcho; lit. "Butterfly", born June 21) is a Japanese singer from Osaka Prefecture and is signed to Lantis.
Reon Yuzuki (柚希 礼音, Yuzuki Reon; born June 11, 1979) is a Japanese actress and former Takarazuka Revue otokoyaku (男役…
Reon Yuzuki (柚希 礼音, Yuzuki Reon; born June 11, 1979) is a Japanese actress and former Takarazuka Revue otokoyaku (男役, "male role") and Star Troupe Top Star. She joined the revue in 1999 and became a Top Star in April 2009. She resigned in May 2015, making this the second longest Top Star run, after Yoka Wao. She signed with Amuse, Inc. and continued her career on stage.
Mariko Gotō (後藤 まりこ, Gotō Mariko) (born February 22, 1982, in Izumiōtsu, Osaka) is a Japanese singer, lyricist…
Mariko Gotō (後藤 まりこ, Gotō Mariko) (born February 22, 1982, in Izumiōtsu, Osaka) is a Japanese singer, lyricist, composer and actress. Little is known about Gotō‘s early years and formative influences. Gotō is not a Japanese idol. The media often categorizes Gotō as an "alt-idol," which does not accurately describe her past and current projects. Gotō’s first band was dubbed "Osaka's Twisted Judy and Mary," highlighting the influence of the older, established Japanese punk group, Judy and Mary on her music. In 2001 she formed the noise rock and punk band Usagi (うさぎ) with three friends from Osaka. She sang and played guitar. After Usagi broke up in 2003, she formed the punk jazz group Midori together with Usagi's bassist, Yoshifumi Kuwano. Midori released three full-length albums, five EPs, and a single. After its dissolution, Gotō focused on her solo career as a musician, as well as a stage, film, and television drama actress. In 2013, she wrote the lyrics for and sang the opening song of the anime Flowers of Evil which is titled "宇宙人" (ep. 4–6, "Aku no Hana -Nakamura Sawa-"). Her song "Sound of Me" was used as the ending theme of the drama Taberudake, where she played the lead role. In May 2016, it was reported that she decided to quit the music industry. She returned under the alias DJ510Mariko on December 24, 2018 with an EP, DEMO. On December 11, 2019 she released her 1st album "Loved by Gainsborough" on her label "nixzm." Gotō also performs and records as a solo "band", GotoMariko acoustic violence POP (後藤まりこアコースティックviolence POP).
Ryo Nishikido (錦戸 亮, Nishikido Ryō; born November 3, 1984) is a Japanese singer and actor. He was formerly under the…
Ryo Nishikido (錦戸 亮, Nishikido Ryō; born November 3, 1984) is a Japanese singer and actor. He was formerly under the management of Johnny & Associates as a member of Japanese boy bands Kanjani Eight and News. His first solo album was released in December 2019.
Takuya Kimura (Japanese: 木村 拓哉, Hepburn: Kimura Takuya; born November 13, 1972) is a Japanese actor, singer, and radio…
Takuya Kimura (Japanese: 木村 拓哉, Hepburn: Kimura Takuya; born November 13, 1972) is a Japanese actor, singer, and radio personality. He is regarded as a Japanese icon after achieving success as an actor. He was also a popular member of SMAP, one of the best-selling boy bands in Asia. In the media, he is known as a huge heartthrob in Japan, and a sex symbol, having been voted Japan's sexiest man for 15 years in a row by readers of one magazine. A 1996 television drama series, Long Vacation, in which he landed his first lead role, became a massive success, creating a phrase called the "Lon-bake phenomenon". He was given the title, "The King of Ratings", as his subsequent television series continued to generate high ratings and each show became a social phenomenon as it aired. Five of his most successful television series, Hero (2001), Beautiful Life (2000), Love Generation (1997), Good Luck!! (2003), and Long Vacation (1996) are ranked in the top ten highest-rated television series in Japanese history. He has received the Best Actor award at the Television Drama Academy Awards 11 times and holds the record for most wins. He also starred in blockbuster films, including Love and Honor (2006), Hero (2007) and Howl's Moving Castle (as a voice actor, 2004). Kimura is also known for his work in the video games Judgment and Lost Judgment, portraying Takayuki Yagami.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Monster Maezuka (前塚 モンスター, Maezuka Monsuta; born as Atsushi Maezuka (前塚 厚志, Maezuka Atsushi), on March 19, 1962 in…
Monster Maezuka (前塚 モンスター, Maezuka Monsuta; born as Atsushi Maezuka (前塚 厚志, Maezuka Atsushi), on March 19, 1962 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese voice actor currently associated with the Clutch voice actor agency. Maezuka is noted for his roles as Ralf Jones, Benimaru Nikaido, and Choi Bounge in The King of Fighters fighting game series. He has also voiced the latter two in Capcom vs. SNK, and the first in The King of Fighters: Another Day anime; in addition to that, he has had voiceover experience playing Sling and the narrator in the original Japanese version of Beast Wars Neo. Maezuka is also noted for having done the voices of Kyoshiro Senryo and Nicotine Caffeine in the Samurai Shodown series, as well as Ken Masters in SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos.
Jade Goto (born 16 September 1981), better known by his stage name Jay'ed (stylised as JAY'ED), is a New Zealand-born…
Jade Goto (born 16 September 1981), better known by his stage name Jay'ed (stylised as JAY'ED), is a New Zealand-born Japanese R&B singer-songwriter who debuted under Toy's Factory in 2007 and is most known for his single with Juju, "Ashita ga Kuru Nara" which sold over 140,000 copies.