NiziU (Japanese: ニジュー; Korean: 니쥬) is a Japanese girl group formed by JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment…NiziU (Japanese: ニジュー; Korean: 니쥬) is a Japanese girl group formed by JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment Japan through the reality-survival program Nizi Project (2020). The group is composed of nine members: Mako, Rio, Maya, Riku, Ayaka, Mayuka, Rima, Miihi, and Nina. Active in both Japan and Korea, NiziU debuted on December 2, 2020, with the release of their debut single "Step and a Step", and made their Korean debut on October 30, 2023, with the release of their single album "Press Play".
Miyu Yoshimoto (吉本 実憂, Yoshimoto Miyu; born December 28, 1996) is a Japanese actress, idol, and tarento. She is the…Miyu Yoshimoto (吉本 実憂, Yoshimoto Miyu; born December 28, 1996) is a Japanese actress, idol, and tarento. She is the winner of the 13th Japan Bishōjo Contest in 2012, and the leader of the Japanese idol group X21.
Elaiza Ikeda (池田 エライザ, Ikeda Eraiza; born April 16, 1996) is a Philippine-born Japanese actress, fashion model and…Elaiza Ikeda (池田 エライザ, Ikeda Eraiza; born April 16, 1996) is a Philippine-born Japanese actress, fashion model and singer. She began modeling in 2009 after winning the "Grand Prix Nicola Model Audition 2009".
Marika Tani (谷 真理佳, Tani Marika; born 5 January 1996 in Fukuoka Prefecture) is a former member of the Japanese idol…Marika Tani (谷 真理佳, Tani Marika; born 5 January 1996 in Fukuoka Prefecture) is a former member of the Japanese idol girl group SKE48. She is a former member of HKT48's Team KIV and now currently a member of SKE48's Team E. She is represented by Zest, Inc.
Sakura Fujiwara (藤原さくら, Fujiwara Sakura; born December 30, 1995) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and actress. She is…Sakura Fujiwara (藤原さくら, Fujiwara Sakura; born December 30, 1995) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and actress. She is managed by the agency Amuse Inc.
Marina Kawano (河野 マリナ, Kawano Marina; born May 21, 1990) is a Japanese singer from Kasuga, Fukuoka who is signed to SME…Marina Kawano (河野 マリナ, Kawano Marina; born May 21, 1990) is a Japanese singer from Kasuga, Fukuoka who is signed to SME Records. She started her singing career after winning the 4th Animax All-Japan Anisong Grand Prix in 2010.
Yui Matsushita (松下唯, Matsushita Yui; born July 25, 1988 in Fukuoka Prefecture) is a Japanese female idol, voice actress…Yui Matsushita (松下唯, Matsushita Yui; born July 25, 1988 in Fukuoka Prefecture) is a Japanese female idol, voice actress and singer, formerly a member of the Japanese idol girl group SKE48.
Aoi Teshima (手嶌葵, Teshima Aoi; born June 21, 1987) is a Japanese singer and voice actress from Kasuga, Fukuoka. She is…Aoi Teshima (手嶌葵, Teshima Aoi; born June 21, 1987) is a Japanese singer and voice actress from Kasuga, Fukuoka. She is known for singing and acting in several Goro Miyazaki movies including Tales from Earthsea and From Up on Poppy Hill.
175R (１７５Ｒ, Inago Raidā; "Inago Rider") is a Japanese ska punk band from Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka Prefecture. Debuting in…175R (１７５Ｒ, Inago Raidā; "Inago Rider") is a Japanese ska punk band from Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka Prefecture. Debuting in 2001, 175R has released seven singles, seven albums and four DVDs. The band's members include Shogo on Vocals, Kazya on guitar, Isakick on bass and Yoshiaki on drums. The band shared their second single with the band Shaka Labbits. The name 175R means "Inago Rider," which is derived from the goroawase of "175" plus "R" for "rider." Inago (蝗) means grasshopper in Japanese, as a reference to the popular Kamen Rider Series of tokusatsu television programs. In 2007, the group's single "Yume de Aeta Nara..." was featured as the ending theme for the film Kamen Rider Den-O: I'm Born!. Another one of their songs, Melody, was used featured in a music-related video game for the Nintendo DS called Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan. Unlike the other songs included in the game, Ouendan made use of an actual (albeit edited) 175R recording, instead of a cover version.
Yoshio Inoue (井上 芳雄, Inoue Yoshio; born 6 July 1979), is a Japanese actor and singer, best known for his performances…Yoshio Inoue (井上 芳雄, Inoue Yoshio; born 6 July 1979), is a Japanese actor and singer, best known for his performances in musical theatre. In 2000 while he was studying Vocal Music in the Tokyo University of the Arts, he made his musical theatre debut as Rudolf in Elisabeth at the Imperial Theatre. He continued to perform in numerous musicals and stage play, including the title role in Mozart! since 2002, as Chris in Miss Saigon in 2004 and 2009, as Bill in Me and My Girl in 2006 and 2009, and as Jervis in Daddy Long Legs since 2012. Since 2015 he played Der Tod in Elisabeth. Alongside his theatrical career, Inoue also appeared in films and television dramas and presented in live shows and television music programs. In 2013, he formed StarS, a musical unit with Kenji Urai and Ikusaburo Yamazaki.
Hitomi Mieno (三重野 瞳, Mieno Hitomi; born December 21, 1977 in Fukuoka Prefecture) is a Japanese singer and screenwriter.…Hitomi Mieno (三重野 瞳, Mieno Hitomi; born December 21, 1977 in Fukuoka Prefecture) is a Japanese singer and screenwriter. She has released 17 singles and 11 albums since her debut in 1994. Several of her songs have been used as openings and endings of anime and radio dramas. She has also written the screenplays of various anime series under the alias of Deko Akao (赤尾 でこ, Akao Deko), including Noragami, Frame Arms Girl and After the Rain.
Kiyoshi Hikawa (氷川 きよし, Hikawa Kiyoshi) or Stage name Kiina is a Japanese enka singer who was born on September 6…Kiyoshi Hikawa (氷川 きよし, Hikawa Kiyoshi) or Stage name Kiina is a Japanese enka singer who was born on September 6, 1977, in Minami-ku, Fukuoka, Japan. His real name is Kiyoshi Yamada (山田 清志, Yamada Kiyoshi) and he is known as "The Prince of Enka" (演歌界の貴公子, Enkakai no Kikōshi) due to his young age and popularity. When he is marketing non-enka music, he goes by the name KIYOSHI, using capitalized letters of the Roman alphabet, instead of kanji or hiragana. His record company is Columbia Music Entertainment, and his agency is Nagara Productions. He was given his stage name by Takeshi Kitano, who initially supported his career. Today, Hikawa makes frequent appearances on NHK Kayō Concert (NHK歌謡コンサート), as well as NHK's annual Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Takafumi Horie (堀江 貴文, Horie Takafumi; born October 29, 1972) is a Japanese entrepreneur who founded Livedoor, a…Takafumi Horie (堀江 貴文, Horie Takafumi; born October 29, 1972) is a Japanese entrepreneur who founded Livedoor, a website design operation that grew into a popular internet portal. After being arrested and charged with securities fraud in 2006, he severed all connections with the company. His trial began on September 4, 2006. On March 16, 2007, Horie was sentenced to imprisonment of 2 years and 6 months. He is popularly known as Horiemon (ホリエモン) due to his resemblance to Doraemon, the chubby robot cat in a popular Japanese cartoon. The name Horiemon was also given to a racehorse he owned, after the name had been chosen by voting on a Livedoor website.
Noriko Sakai (酒井 法子, Sakai Noriko; born February 14, 1971) is a Japanese singer and actress. Under her former stage…Noriko Sakai (酒井 法子, Sakai Noriko; born February 14, 1971) is a Japanese singer and actress. Under her former stage name Nori-P (のりピー, Noripī), Sakai released her first single, "Otoko no Ko ni Naritai" (男のコになりたい; "I Want to Be a Boy") on February 5, 1987, nine days short of her sixteenth birthday. Over 40,000 copies of the single were sold. She is particularly popular in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Her best-selling single to date is "Aoi Usagi". In August 2009, Sakai was arrested on suspicion of possession and abuse of drugs and sentenced to probation for three years. She divorced her husband Yūichi Takasō (高相 祐一, Takasō Yūichi) after the incident and temporarily stayed away from the media circle until her probation ended, at which she began rehearsals for the theater, and signed on with Office Nigun Niiba, as a first step towards returning to the media community. On May 1, 2021, she left Office Nigun Niiba and joined Smile.
Hiromi Hanamura (花村 博美, Hanamura Hiromi) (born June 13, 1968, in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan), better known by…Hiromi Hanamura (花村 博美, Hanamura Hiromi) (born June 13, 1968, in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan), better known by her stage name Hiroko Moriguchi (森口 博子, Moriguchi Hiroko) is a female Japanese singer and tarento. Moriguchi is affiliated with the talent agency NoReason Inc., where she also serves as Second Production Department Manager.
Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (光吉 猛修, Mitsuyoshi Takenobu; born December 25, 1967) is a Japanese composer of video game music…Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (光吉 猛修, Mitsuyoshi Takenobu; born December 25, 1967) is a Japanese composer of video game music, singer, and video game voice actor. He has composed music for various games produced by Sega, including Virtua Fighter 2 and Shenmue. He first gained major recognition after the release of Daytona USA, for which he wrote music and personally sang vocals. He also recorded live orchestras for the arcade games Derby Owners Club, World Club Champion Football, and Star Horse. Aside from original compositions, he also arranges, provides vocals, and is a performer for various projects, including S.S.T from 1988 to 1993, and [H.] from 2004 onwards. He is well-known for voicing the character Kage-Maru in the Virtua Fighter franchise. His younger brother, Kenji Mitsuyoshi (光吉 賢司, Mitsuyoshi Kenji), is a manga artist and member of the artist-writer duo Ark Performance along with Kōichi Ishikawa.
Kohmi Hirose (広瀬 香美, Hirose Kōmi; born April 12, 1966) is a Japanese pop singer and songwriter. Since the release of…Kohmi Hirose (広瀬 香美, Hirose Kōmi; born April 12, 1966) is a Japanese pop singer and songwriter. Since the release of her million-selling single "Romance no Kamisama" in 1993, Hirose has recorded music for winter-sporting goods company Alpen's advertising campaigns. This has prompted the Japanese public to bestow upon her the nickname of "Winter Queen" (冬の女王, Fuyu no Joō).
Mamiko Aso (麻生 真宮子, Asō Mamiko; born February 5, 1964), whose real name is Miwa Tajima (田島 みわ, Tajima Miwa), is a…Mamiko Aso (麻生 真宮子, Asō Mamiko; born February 5, 1964), whose real name is Miwa Tajima (田島 みわ, Tajima Miwa), is a former Japanese idol, singer and actress of the 1980s, who is currently a businesswoman.
Kan Kimura (木村 和, Kimura Kan; September 24, 1962 – November 12, 2023), known by his stage name Kan (commonly stylized…Kan Kimura (木村 和, Kimura Kan; September 24, 1962 – November 12, 2023), known by his stage name Kan (commonly stylized as KAN), was a Japanese singer-songwriter. In 1983, he joined his first band, which was called Annette, before going solo in 1984. Kan wrote the background music for a 1986 film directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi, and started his major recording career the following year. He is best known for the chart-topping hit "Ai wa Katsu", released as a single in 1990. It sold over 2 million copies and won the 33rd Japan Record Award, bringing the artist into prominence. Subsequently, he spawned five top-ten singles and four top-ten albums on the Japanese record chart during the first half of the 1990s. As of 2010, Kan had released 33 singles and 15 studio albums. According to the Oricon, he sold over 4.6 million copies of albums and singles in his home country. Kan died of Meckel's diverticulum cancer on November 12, 2023, at the age of 61.
Fumiya Fujii (藤井 フミヤ, Fujii Fumiya; born July 11, 1962) is a Japanese musician, actor and former lead singer of The…Fumiya Fujii (藤井 フミヤ, Fujii Fumiya; born July 11, 1962) is a Japanese musician, actor and former lead singer of The Checkers born in Kurume. His younger brother is Naoyuki Fujii, a musician and former sax player for The Checkers. His eldest son is Fuji TV announcer Kōki Fujii. He formerly belonged to Yamaha Music Foundation and Three Star Pro (both during the Checkers era), and now he is part of a private agency, FFM Co.
Noriko Kamachi (蒲池 法子, Kamachi Noriko; born 10 March 1962), known professionally as Seiko Matsuda (松田 聖子, Matsuda…Noriko Kamachi (蒲池 法子, Kamachi Noriko; born 10 March 1962), known professionally as Seiko Matsuda (松田 聖子, Matsuda Seiko), is a Japanese singer-songwriter, known for being one of the most popular Japanese idols of the 1980s. Since then, she has continued to release new singles and albums, put on annual summer concert tours, and perform in winter dinner shows. She makes frequent appearances in high-profile TV commercials and movies, and on radio. Her alma mater is Chuo University. Due to her popularity in the 1980s and her long career, she has been dubbed the "Eternal Idol" by the Japanese media. In January 2011, the Japanese music television program Music Station listed her as the 2nd best-selling idol of all time in Japan, with 29,510,000 records sold. She placed behind pop group SMAP and ahead of Akina Nakamori, her biggest rival of the 1980s. Matsuda once held the record of 25 number-one hits for musicians from 1983 to 2000 (broken by B'z) and for female solo artists (broken by Ayumi Hamasaki in 2010). Matsuda was a performer on the finale of Kouhaku (Red White Music Battle) in 2014, 2015 and 2025, the prestigious NHK New Year's Eve Music show on which she has performed 25 times, as of 2025.
Hideaki Tokunaga (德永 英明, Tokunaga Hideaki; born February 27, 1961 in Yanagawa, Fukuoka) is a Japanese pop…Hideaki Tokunaga (德永 英明, Tokunaga Hideaki; born February 27, 1961 in Yanagawa, Fukuoka) is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter. Although Tokunaga failed to pass the test of Star Tanjō! in 1982, he debuted as a recording singer in 1986. After he released hit songs such as "Yume o Shinjite" (the first ending theme of the anime series Dragon Quest) and "Kowarekake no Radio" in 1990, his single "Wednesday Moon" reached No. 1 on Oricon weekly charts in 1991. He was also known for Vocalist album series, comprising his covers of female songs. Vocalist, Vocalist 2, Vocalist 3 and Vocalist 4 were released in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010 respectively. Tokunaga is the first male artist to have at least one album to reach the number-one position on the Japanese Oricon weekly charts for four decades (1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s). Tokunaga also composed other singers' songs such as KinKi Kids' "Eien Ni" (from their 2007 album Phi). Tokunaga gained high popularity in Hong Kong due to huge number of songs covered in Cantonese version by superstars such as Alan Tam, Leslie Cheung, Jackie Cheung, and Leon Lai.
Mineko Nishikawa (仁支川 峰子, Nishikawa Mineko; born May 23, 1958 in Aka, Fukuoka; real name Fukuda Mineko, 福田 峰子) is a…Mineko Nishikawa (仁支川 峰子, Nishikawa Mineko; born May 23, 1958 in Aka, Fukuoka; real name Fukuda Mineko, 福田 峰子) is a Japanese actress and Enka singer who scored a number one hit in 1975 with Anata Ni Ageru.
Dai Sentai Goggle-V (大戦隊ゴーグルファイブ, Dai Sentai Gōguru Faibu; Great Squadron Goggle-V) is a Japanese television tokusatsu…Dai Sentai Goggle-V (大戦隊ゴーグルファイブ, Dai Sentai Gōguru Faibu; Great Squadron Goggle-V) is a Japanese television tokusatsu series broadcast by TV Asahi. The series is the sixth installment of Super Sentai. Directed by Shohei Tojo, Takafumi Hattori, Makoto Tsuji, Minoru Yamada and Michio Konishi, it stars Ryōji Akagi, Jyunichi Haruta, Shigeki Ishii, Sanpei Godai, Megumi Ōkawa, Mayumi Yoshida, Toshimichi Takahashi and Yosuke Naka. It aired from February 6, 1982 to January 29, 1983, replacing Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan and was replaced by Kagaku Sentai Dynaman. Its international English title as listed by Toei is simply Goggle V.
Shigeaki Miyazaki (宮﨑 重明, Miyazaki Shigeaki; born February 24, 1958), known professionally as Aska, is a Japanese…Shigeaki Miyazaki (宮﨑 重明, Miyazaki Shigeaki; born February 24, 1958), known professionally as Aska, is a Japanese singer-songwriter. He is best known for work as part of the music duo Chage and Aska. As a composer, he wrote most of the duo's hit songs, including "Morning Moon", "Love Song", "Say Yes", and "Meguriai". He has also written for many other singers and groups, including Hikaru Genji. He was formerly known as Ryo Aska or Ryō Asuka (飛鳥 涼, Asuka Ryō).
Shuji Shibata (Japanese: 柴田 秀之, Hepburn: Shibata Shūji; born 6 January 1958), known professionally as Chage, is a…Shuji Shibata (Japanese: 柴田 秀之, Hepburn: Shibata Shūji; born 6 January 1958), known professionally as Chage, is a Japanese musician and radio personality. He was born in Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka Prefecture. He dropped out from Japan University of Economics. He is also a singer-songwriter, and he is the main vocalist and lyricist-composer of Chage and Aska.
Hiromi Go (郷 ひろみ, Gō Hiromi; born October 18, 1955), is a Japanese singer, part of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. His…Hiromi Go (郷 ひろみ, Gō Hiromi; born October 18, 1955), is a Japanese singer, part of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. His real name is Hiromi Haratake (原武 裕美, Haratake Hiromi). In the 1970s, he was called the "New Big Three" (新御三家, shin gosanke) with Goro Noguchi and Hideki Saijo. He belonged to Johnny & Associates, but three years after debut in 1975, left the agency. He also effectively became the Japanese answer to Ricky Martin after his 1999 Japanese version of "Livin' la Vida Loca," which was called "Goldfinger '99". His stage name's initials are "HG", and that, combined with his remake of Ricky Martin's "Livin la Vida Loca" made him a direct and frequent target of comedian Hard Gay. Go featured Japanese hip hop musician Dohzi-T in his R&B-style song "Kimi Dake o," released on May 14, 2008. "Kimi Dake o" was included in his album Place to Be, and the remix of the song was included as a bonus track in Dohzi-T's album 12 Love Stories. Go appeared in the Canadian film Samurai Cowboy with Catherine Mary Stewart and Robert Conrad, which was released in 1993. He was also invited to the Japanese touring ice show Fantasy on Ice in 2014, where he performed live with figure skater and two-time Olympic champion, Yuzuru Hanyu, to the song "Ienai yo" (lit. "I can't say it") amongst others.
Rumiko Koyanagi (小柳ルミ子, Koyanagi Rumiko), formerly known as Rumi Natsukawa (夏川るみ, Natsukawa Rumi) during her Takarazuka…Rumiko Koyanagi (小柳ルミ子, Koyanagi Rumiko), formerly known as Rumi Natsukawa (夏川るみ, Natsukawa Rumi) during her Takarazuka Revue days, is a Japanese actress and singer. She began her career as a member of Takarazuka Revue. She won the award for best new artist at the 13th Japan Record Awards and won the Japan Music Award in 1972. She won the award for best supporting actress at the 6th Japan Academy Prize for To Trap a Kidnapper and the award for best actress at the 7th Japan Academy Prize for Hakujasho.
Tetsuya Takeda (武田 鉄矢, Takeda Tetsuya; born April 11, 1949) is a Japanese folk singer and actor. Takeda is perhaps most…Tetsuya Takeda (武田 鉄矢, Takeda Tetsuya; born April 11, 1949) is a Japanese folk singer and actor. Takeda is perhaps most known in Japan for his starring role in the Tokyo Broadcasting System's long-running, highly rated television drama Mr. Kinpachi of the Third-Year B Class. The program, targeted at junior high and high school-aged adolescents, ran on TBS with Takeda at various times from 1979 until 2011. Takeda wrote and performed several well-known songs, including "Childhood", the theme song for the 1985 animated film Doraemon: Nobita's Little Star Wars. Takeda's 1980 song, "The Word I Give to You", is often performed at junior high school and high school graduation ceremonies in Japan. Previous to his appearance on Kinpachi, Takeda studied to be a teacher at Fukuoka University of Education. He later formed a folk music group called Kaientai. The song "Okuru Kotoba", which Takeda wrote and performed with Kaientai, actually had nothing to do with schooling, but is reportedly associated with education because of Takeda's role in Kinpachi.
Yōsui Inoue (井上 陽水, Inoue Yōsui; born August 30, 1948) is a Japanese singer, lyricist, composer, guitarist and record…Yōsui Inoue (井上 陽水, Inoue Yōsui; born August 30, 1948) is a Japanese singer, lyricist, composer, guitarist and record producer, who is an important figure in Japanese music. He is renowned for his unique tone, eccentric lyrics, and dark sunglasses which he always wears. Under the stage name Andre Candre, Inoue debuted in 1969 and released a single "Candre Mandre" by CBS Sony Records. After he changed his stage name and signed onto Polydor, he recorded his first studio album Danzetsu in 1971, and the album was acclaimed by critics. Inoue gained recognition as a folk-rock singer-songwriter through his 1973 Kōri no Sekai album, which became the first long-playing record that sold more than a million copies in Japan alone. His early work has been compared with the music of Paul McCartney and Roy Orbison. Mark Anderson writes in the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Japanese Culture, "His music was smart, melancholy and melodic. [...] Inoue's work of the early 1970s [...] is widely thought to have been a significant influence on the development of Japanese pop rock". Inoue has released 22 solo studio albums, and also produced two albums with Tamio Okuda. He has been one of the most commercially successful Japanese male solo recording artists of the last 40 years, selling in excess of 10.9 million copies on the country's Oricon albums chart up to May 2009 and has had seven number-one albums; Kori no Sekai, Nishoku no Koma, Good Pages, Shoutaijou no Nai Show, 9.5 Carats, Under the Sun, and the compilation Golden Best which was released in 1999 and has shipped over two million units.
Mie Nakao (Japanese: 中尾 ミエ; born 6 June 1946 in Kokura) is a Japanese actress and singer. With Yukari Itō and Mari Sono…Mie Nakao (Japanese: 中尾 ミエ; born 6 June 1946 in Kokura) is a Japanese actress and singer. With Yukari Itō and Mari Sono she co-starred in the hit 1963 teen movie Hai, Hai Sannin Musume ("Yes, Yes, The Three Girls"). The three actresses became the latest incarnation of the long-running series of "Three Girls" acts during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, under their manager Watanabe as the Watanabe-Pro Sannin musume (渡辺プロ三人娘). Nakao has continued to appear on television and produce music. Nakao debuted as a singer at the age of 16. In May 1962, her debut single was "Kawaii Baby" (可愛いベイビー), a cover of the song "Pretty Little Baby" by Connie Francis (from the 1962 album Connie Francis Sings "Second Hand Love"), was released. The song sold over a million copies.
Ken Takakura (Japanese: 高倉 健, Hepburn: Takakura Ken), born Takeichi Oda (小田 剛一, Oda Takeichi; February 16, 1931 –…Ken Takakura (Japanese: 高倉 健, Hepburn: Takakura Ken), born Takeichi Oda (小田 剛一, Oda Takeichi; February 16, 1931 – November 10, 2014), was a Japanese actor and singer who appeared in over 200 films. Affectionately referred to as "Ken-san" by audiences, he was best known for his brooding style and the stoic presence he brought to his roles. He won the Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role four times, tied with Koji Yakusho for the most ever. Takakura additionally received the Japanese Medal of Honor with purple ribbon in 1998, the Person of Cultural Merit award in 2006, and the Order of Culture in 2013.
Hideo Murata (村田英雄, Murata Hideo; January 17, 1929 – June 13, 2002) was a Japanese rōkyoku and enka singer. He took…Hideo Murata (村田英雄, Murata Hideo; January 17, 1929 – June 13, 2002) was a Japanese rōkyoku and enka singer. He took part in the Kōhaku Uta Gassen 27 times. Murata was born as a son of rōkyoku singer Senyu Hirosawa (広沢仙遊, Hirosawa Senyū) and Tsutako Yano (矢野ツタ子, Yano Tsutako). However, he was immediately adopted by Sumiko Deriba (出利葉スミ子, Deriba Sumiko) and Haruo Kajiyama (梶山春雄, Kajiyama Haruo) became his stepfather. His real name was Isamu Kajiyama (梶山勇, Kajiyama Isamu). He studied rōkyoku under one of Kumoemon Tochuken's disciples, Kumo Sakai. Murata was scouted by Masao Koga, debuting with "Muhōmatsu no Isshō" (無法松の一生, lit. "Life of Outlaw Pine") in 1958. His 1961 single "Ōshō" sold over one million copies. Along with Hachiro Kasuga and Michiya Mihashi, he became a famous enka singer and Haruo Minami was regarded as his rival. He died on June 13, 2002.
Marie Ueda (植田 真梨恵, Ueda Marie; born 22 September 1990) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. She debuted in 2008, and…Marie Ueda (植田 真梨恵, Ueda Marie; born 22 September 1990) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. She debuted in 2008, and signed with Giza Studio in 2014. In 2023, she left the agency and has resumed her activities as an independent singer.
Mao (マオ; born October 23) is a Japanese male singer, known for being the lead singer of visual kei rock band SID and…Mao (マオ; born October 23) is a Japanese male singer, known for being the lead singer of visual kei rock band SID and writer of all the lyrics. SID became popular in Japan in mid-2010 with the album Hikari, which includes the anime songs "Monochrome no Kiss" and "Uso" with lyrics written by Mao. He began a solo career in 2016 using the name Mao from SID, debuting at the top 10 of Oricon charts. On July 3, 2021, he was appointed ambassador of his hometown, Kurume.
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.
Yui Yoshioka (吉岡 ユイ, Yoshioka Yui; born March 26, 1987), known mononymously as YUI, is a Japanese singer-songwriter and…Yui Yoshioka (吉岡 ユイ, Yoshioka Yui; born March 26, 1987), known mononymously as YUI, is a Japanese singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. In her solo career, she sold more than 5 million physical copies in Japan. She is popular in Japan and in surrounding countries, ranking number one in 2011 Count Down TV "Dearest Female Artist" and Music Station "Artist You Most Want to Marry" polls, as well as Radio Television Hong Kong's "Most Popular Japanese Artist". Born and raised in Fukuoka Prefecture, she played live at various locations in her hometown before being noticed by Sony Music Japan when she was 17 years old, and released her debut single months later. Her singles, however, were only met with moderate success until the breakout "Good-bye Days", which charted for 44 weeks on Oricon and marked her as one of the Japanese music industry's rising stars. Since her debut album, From Me to You, each of her soloist album releases has topped the charts, with at least one single reaching number one on the Oricon charts from 2007 until her second hiatus in 2012, including five straight from mid-2008 to late 2010. After retiring from music as a soloist in 2012, she formed the band Flower Flower in 2013.
