Famous Japanese Singers

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 1 
Suzuka Nakamoto
(Metal Singer Best Known as a Member of the Kawaii Metal Band 'Babymetal')
Suzuka Nakamoto
17
Birthdate: December 20, 1997
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Hiroshima, Japan

Japanese kawaii metal sensation Suzuka Nakamoto is best known for being part of the band Babymetal. Also known as Su-metal, she entered the world of showbiz with Jewel Drop commercials and later won a kids’ audition. She has also been part of the idol girl group Sakura Gakuin.

 2 
Rina Sawayama
(Singer)
Rina Sawayama
33
Birthdate: August 16, 1990
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Niigata, Japan
Rina Sawayama is known for her unusual blends of pop with R&B, club music, nu-metal, and other genres. Born in Japan, the singer/model moved with her family to the UK at age 5. She is also a Cambridge graduate and a queer icon who identifies as pansexual and bisexual. 
 3 
Haruma Miura
(Japanese Actor and Singer)
Haruma Miura
12
Birthdate: April 5, 1990
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Tsuchiura, Ibaraki, Japan
Died: July 18, 2020

Once a popular child actor, Haruma Miura stormed the Japanese film scene after an impactful performance as Hiro in Koizora. He had also tried his luck in singing and had starred in series such as Last Cinderella. He shocked his fans by committing suicide by hanging at age 30.

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 4 
Mamoru Miyano
(Japanese Actor and Singer Best Known for His Roles on 'Steins;Gate', 'Durarara!!' and 'Death Note')
Mamoru Miyano
6
Birthdate: June 8, 1983
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Saitama Prefecture, Japan

Best known for his award-winning voice role of Light Yagami in the manga series Death Note, Mamoru Miyano is an anime artist who has also released singles such as Kuon and Discovery. The artist, who is also known as Mamo, or Mamo-chan, is also a skilled harmonica/harp player.

 5 
Takeshi Kaneshiro
(Actor and Singer Known for His Films: ‘Lost and Found’, ‘Red Cliff’ and ‘School Days’)
Takeshi Kaneshiro
7
Birthdate: October 11, 1973
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Taipei City, Taipei, Taiwan

Taiwanese-Japanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro was not seen in any major projects after his successful stint in the romantic comedy This Is Not What I Expected, till he announced he was part of the much-delayed Sons of the Neon Night. He is also popular as Samanosuke from the Onimusha video games.

 6 
Miyavi
(Singer, Guitarist)
Miyavi
8
Birthdate: September 14, 1981
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Konohana-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture

Miyavi is a Japanese singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and record producer. Apart from being an entertainer, Miyavi is also a volunteer at UNHCR; since 2013, he has been visiting several refugee camps across the world. He was made an official UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in November 2017.   

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 7 
Hirai Momo
(Japanese Singer, Rapper and Member of South Korean Girl Group ‘Twice’)
Hirai Momo
42
Birthdate: November 9, 1996
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kyotanabe, Kyoto, Japan

Hirai Momo is a Japanese dancer and singer based in South Korea. She is best known for being one of three Japanese members of the popular South Korean girl group, Twice. One of the most famous K-pop stars from outside Korea, Momo's popularity has been credited with boosting international relations between Japan and South Korea.

 8 
Sakura Miyawaki
(Pop Singer Best Known as the Former Member of the Japanese Girl Groups 'HKT48' and 'AKB48')
Sakura Miyawaki
24
Birthdate: March 19, 1998
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kagoshima, Japan

Japanese singer-actor Sakura Miyawaki initially gained fame as part of groups such as HKT48 and Iz*One. The J-pop and K-pop icon apparently signed a deal with BTS’s agency HYBE in 2021. She was also the runner-up on the reality show Produce 48 and has a popular YouTube video gaming channel, too.

 9 
Takehito Koyasu
(Seiyū, Singer)
Takehito Koyasu
3
Birthdate: May 5, 1967
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Yokohama
One of Japan’s most diverse voice actors, Takehito Koyasu has voiced over 230 different roles. He has also been part of the voice-acting group Weiss and has dubbed for many foreign actors such as Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jared Leto in live-action films. His son Kōki Koyasu, too, is a voice actor
 10 
Nobuhiko Okamoto
(Seiyū, Singer)
Nobuhiko Okamoto
5
Birthdate: October 24, 1986
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Tokyo

Japanese voice actor Nobuhiko Okamoto is best known for his award-winning performances in anime series such as A Certain Magical Index and Persona: Trinity Soul. He is also a certified shogi player and has participated in several shogi events. He has also tried his luck in singing.

 11 
Takuya Kimura
(Japanese Actor, Singer and Member of Boy Bands ‘SMAP’)
Takuya Kimura
5
Birthdate: November 13, 1972
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan

Takuya Kimura is a Japanese actor, radio personality, and singer. He is best known for his association with SMAP, one of East Asia's best-selling boy bands. After starting his career as a singer, Kimura found considerable success as an actor, which catapulted him to stardom and turned him into a Japanese icon. His acting skills have earned him several awards.

 12 
Rie Takahashi
(Japanese Voice Actress and Singer)
Rie Takahashi
6
Birthdate: February 27, 1994
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Saitama, Japan
Japanese voice actor and singer Rie Takahashi is best known for her work in the anime series Seiyu's Life! She has voiced major characters in video games and anime films and series, such as Megumin in KonoSuba, Takagi in Teasing Master Takagi-san, and Hu Tao in Genshin Impact
 13 
Daisuke Ono
(Voice Actor, Singer)
Daisuke Ono
5
Birthdate: May 4, 1978
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Sakawa, Kochi, Japan

Though Daisuke Ono initially wished to build a career in TV broadcasting, criticism from one of his art institute professors made him move toward acting. The Seiyu Award-winning voice actor is now known for his performances in manga series such as Black Butler and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

 14 
Kana Hanazawa
( Japanese Actress and a Prolific Voice Performer in Anime)
Kana Hanazawa
8
Birthdate: February 25, 1989
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan

Best known as an anime voice actor, Kana Hanazawa began her career at 14, voicing Holly Mad-thane in Last Exile. She was also seen as a child actor in programs such as Yappari Sanma Daisensei. Known by many nicknames such as KanaHana and Zaa-san, she has also released several albums.

 15 
Sola Aoi
(Adult Film Star, Actor, Singer, AV idol, Tarento)
Sola Aoi
9
Birthdate: November 11, 1983
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Tokyo
Scouted by an agent when she was still in high school, Sola Aoi initially became a successful gravure model and later deviated to pornography. Originally named Suzuki Miho, she chose Sola Aoi as her pseudonym, meaning Blue Sky, indicating her favorite color. She later also tried her luck in singing.
 16 
Ayumi Hamasaki
(Singer, Seiyū, Songwriter, Model, Actor, Singer-songwriter, Composer, Lyricist, Poet, Record producer)
Ayumi Hamasaki
7
Birthdate: October 2, 1978
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Fukuoka

Japanese pop icon Ayumi Hamasaki had started a TV career after moving to Tokyo at 14. She later gained fame with her dance hits and ballads. Also known for her dramatic costumes and videos, The Empress of J-pop has been rendered totally deaf in one ear, owing to a ear infection.

 17 
Chiaki Kuriyama
(Actor, Singer, Model, Seiyū, Fashion model)
Chiaki Kuriyama
5
Birthdate: October 10, 1984
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Tsuchiura

Though Chiaki Kuriyama gained immense fame as a child model, especially for her photos in the bestselling book Shinwa-Shojo, the book was banned for child pornography later. Now an actor-singer, too, she is known for her roles in films such as Battle Royale and Kill Bill: Volume 1.

 18 
Takeru Satoh
(Actor, Singer)
Takeru Satoh
4
Birthdate: March 21, 1989
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Iwatsuki-ku

Scouted while still in high school, Takeru Satoh is best known as Ryotaro Nogami from the Kamen Rider Den-O franchise. He had earlier worked as a child actor and was also skilled in baseball and martial arts. He has also starred in the live-action movie Rurouni Kenshin, based on a popular manga.

 19 
Maaya Sakamoto
(Actress)
Maaya Sakamoto
4
Birthdate: March 31, 1980
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Itabashi City, Tokyo, Japan

One of the best-known Japanese voice actors, Maaya Sakamoto soared to fame with her performances as Kiyomi Takada in Death Note and Lunamaria Hawke in Gundam Seed Destiny. She is also a successful singer and a sociology major. She has also dubbed for films such as the Star Wars trilogy.

 20 
Hikaru Utada
(Singer-Songwriter and One of the Best-Selling Musical Artists in Japan)
Hikaru Utada
3
Birthdate: January 19, 1983
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States

Hikaru Utada is a Japanese-American singer, producer, and songwriter. She achieved popularity after releasing her first Japanese-language studio album First Love, which became Japan's best-selling album of all time. Utada was regarded as the most influential artist of the 2000s in Japan. She is also one of the most decorated Japanese artists of her generation.

 21 
Namie Amuro
(Japanese Pop's Most Resilient Idol Known for Breaking the Youthful Idol Stereotype of J-Pop)
Namie Amuro
4
Birthdate: September 20, 1977
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Naha, Japan

J-pop icon Namie Amuro has started her career as an adolescent, with the group Super Monkey’s. Her singing and dancing talent soon made her go solo, with hit tracks such as Body Feels EXIT. She later experimented by mingling pop and hip-hop, and also collaborated with many American artists.

 22 
Kyu Sakamoto
(Singer)
Kyu Sakamoto
4
Birthdate: December 10, 1941
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kawasaki Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
Died: August 12, 1985

With his Billboard number one track Sukiyaki, Kyu Sakamoto became the first to score a pop number one with a song entirely sung in Japanese. Born to a restaurateur, he had started his career singing in jazz clubs. He died in a 1985 plane crash that killed over 500 people.

 23 
Tomohisa Yamashita
(Singer, Actor)
Tomohisa Yamashita
4
Birthdate: April 9, 1985
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Funabashi, Chiba

Tomohisa Yamashita is a Japanese singer, TV host, and actor. After joining talent agency Johnny & Associates at the age of 11, Yamashita has been active on TV ever since. He is best known for his portrayal of Kusano Akira in the 2005 TV drama Nobuta Wo Produce. Over the years, he has won several Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix awards.

 24 
Maaya Uchida
(Japanese Voice Actress, Actress and Singer)
Maaya Uchida
6
Birthdate: December 27, 1989
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan

Seiyu Award-winning voice actor Maaya Uchida is the sister of fellow voice actor Yuma Uchida. Initially interested in gaming, she later aspired to be a voice actor for gaming characters and thus ventured into voice acting. She owns a fan club named LIFE IS LIKE A SUNNY DAY.

 25 
Takahiro Moriuchi
(Musician)
Takahiro Moriuchi
6
Birthdate: April 17, 1988
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan

Takahiro Moriuchi, better known to fans a Taka, soared to fame as the lead singer of the Japanese rock band One Ok Rock. He was previously part of the boy band News. The eldest son of popular singers Shinichi and Masako Mori, he now owns a lavish home in Hollywood Hills.

 26 
Ayana Taketatsu
(Actress)
Ayana Taketatsu
5
Birthdate: June 23, 1989
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Saitama, Japan

Japanese voice actor Ayana Taketatsu is known for her work in anime/manga series such as Sword Art Online and Guilty Crown. She has also dubbed for movies such as The Angry Birds Movie 2 and is part of the band Hokago Tea Time. She is married to fellow voice actor Yûki Kaji.

 27 
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
(Japanese Tarento, Singer, and Model)
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
7
Birthdate: January 29, 1993
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan

Japanese cultural icon and J-pop star Kyary Pamyu Pamyu soared to fame with singles such as PonPonPon and Candy Candy. She now promotes everything from soft drinks to fashion and make-up. Also dubbed as the Harajuku Girl, she is also known for her love for blonde wigs.

 28 
Miyoshi Umeki
(Japanese-American Singer and Actress)
Miyoshi Umeki
2
Birthdate: May 8, 1929
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan
Died: August 28, 2007

With her film Sayonara, Miyoshi Umeki became the first Asian actress to win an Academy Award. Initially a night-club singer, she was later known for playing docile and submissive characters in most of her films. She also earned a Golden Globe nomination for playing Mei Li in Flower Drum Song.

 29 
Tina Yuzuki
(Film actor, Singer, Adult Film Star, Actor, AV idol)
Tina Yuzuki
4
Birthdate: October 29, 1986
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Tokyo

Born to a Portuguese mother and a Japanese father, adult star Tina Yuzuki rose to be an AV idol and later worked under the pseudonym Rio. She later stepped into the mainstream film industy and also tried her luck in singing. She is known for erotic movies such as Stop the Bitch Campaign.

 30 
Tetsuya Kakihara
(Japanese Voice Actor and Pop Singer Known for Voicing Roles as Young Boys with Fiery Personalities)
Tetsuya Kakihara
5
Birthdate: December 24, 1982
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Düsseldorf, Germany

Born in Germany, Tetsuya Kakihara later established himself as a fine voice actor in Japan. He now also owns his own agency. Best known for his performances in manga/anime productions such as Fairy Tail, he later also released singles. He has also worked in adult media as Raku Kaiou.

 31 
Yuma Asami
(Japanese Actress and Singer)
Yuma Asami
4
Birthdate: March 24, 1987
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Gunma, Japan

One of Japan’s most well-known adult stars, Yuma Asami had begun her career at age 18. She mostly worked with studios that specialized in soft porn. The Grand Prix award-winning actor was later diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Post-recovery, she ditched the adult industry and began working as a singer.

 32 
Kwon Ri-se
(Singer & Model)
Kwon Ri-se
0
Birthdate: August 16, 1991
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Fukushima, Japan
Died: September 7, 2014
 33 
Kazunari Ninomiya
2
Birthdate: June 17, 1983
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Katsushika, Tokyo

Kazunari Ninomiya is a Japanese singer, radio host, songwriter, voice actor, and actor. He is best known for his association with the popular boy band, Arashi. Over the course of his successful career, Kazunari Ninomiya has won several prestigious awards, such as Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix, Japan Broadcast Film Arts Award, Hochi Film Award, Hashida Award, and Galaxy Award.

 34 
Hyde
Hyde
1
Birthdate: January 29, 1969
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Wakayama, Wakayama, Japan
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
 35 
Yūki Ono
(Voice actor)
Yūki Ono
5
Birthdate: June 22, 1984
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Shizuoka, Japan

Yūki Ono is a Japanese singer and voice actor best known for his work in video games and anime shows. After being inspired by Kishō Taniyama, Yūki Ono went on to establish himself as a popular voice actor, winning honors like the Seiyu Award.

 36 
Kyoko Fukada
(Japanese Actress and Singer)
Kyoko Fukada
2
Birthdate: November 2, 1982
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kita City, Tokyo, Japan

Kyoko Fukada, also known as Fukakyon, is best known for her award-winning lead role of Momoko Ryugasaki in Kamikaze Girls. She has also appeared in countless series and experimented with J-pop, too. In 2021, she went on an indefinite hiatus after being diagnosed with adjustment disorder.

 37 
Ken Takakura
(Actor, Singer)
Ken Takakura
2
Birthdate: February 16, 1931
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Kitakyūshū
Died: November 10, 2014

Popularly known as the Clint Eastwood of Japan for playing brooding characters, Ken Takakura has mostly been part of yakuza movies that dealt with organized crime. He soared to fame with Abashiri Prison and later delivered award-winning performances in films such as Station, The Yellow Handkerchief, and Poppoya.

 38 
Kou Shibasaki
(Japanese Actress and Singer)
Kou Shibasaki
2
Birthdate: August 5, 1981
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Toshima, Tokyo, Japan
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
 39 
Mamiko Noto
(Actress)
Mamiko Noto
5
Birthdate: February 6, 1980
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Kanazawa, Japan

Mamiko Noto is a Japanese film actress, singer, and voice actress. Noto is renowned for her contribution to anime and video games in Japan. She has also released many songs and albums that have been featured in music charts like Oricon.

 40 
Kōji Wada
(Singer-songwriter, Singer)
Kōji Wada
2
Birthdate: January 29, 1974
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Kyoto
Died: April 3, 2016

Kōji Wada was a Japanese pop singer best remembered for performing several theme songs for the popular anime television series, Digimon. He had contributed songs to six Digimon anime series, including his most famous single Butter-Fly. Kōji Wada went on to perform internationally before succumbing to cancer in 2016 at the age of 42.

 41 
Akira Fuse
(Japanese Singer and Actor)
Akira Fuse
2
Birthdate: December 18, 1947
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan

Akira Fuse is a Japanese actor and singer who has been contributing immensely to the Japanese TV and music industry for many years now. From hosting a late-night talk show to performing in tours, Fuse has tried his hand at many things throughout his career.

 42 
Yukie Nakama
(Actor, Singer, Seiyū)
Yukie Nakama
2
Birthdate: October 30, 1979
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Urasoe

Yukie Nakama is a Japanese singer, actress, and former idol. Nakama, who has contributed immensely to anime, video games, TV, and film industry, has been honored with several prestigious awards like the Japanese Drama Academy Awards and the Japan Academy Prize.

 43 
Damo Suzuki
(Musician)
Damo Suzuki
3
Birthdate: January 16, 1950
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Japan

Damo Suzuki is a Japanese musician best known for his association with the German experimental rock band Can where he was the lead singer from 1970 to 1973. Suzuki, who has been living in Germany since the 1970s, is an exponent of a genre of experimental rock called Krautrock, which was developed in the 1960s and 1970s in West Germany.

 44 
Kumi Koda
(Japanese singer)
Kumi Koda
3
Birthdate: November 13, 1982
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Kumi Koda is a Japanese singer renowned for her R&B and urban pop songs. One of the top-selling artists of her generation, Koda has won some of the most prestigious awards like MTV Video Music Awards Japan and Mnet Asian Music Awards. Over the years, Koda has also established herself as a fashion icon, setting trends like the ero-kakkoii style.

 45 
Momoe Yamaguchi
(Actor, Singer, Lyricist)
Momoe Yamaguchi
2
Birthdate: January 17, 1959
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Shibuya-ku

Momoe Yamaguchi is a Japanese former actress, singer, and idol. Considered one of the most successful Japanese singers ever, Yamaguchi released 21 studio albums in a career that spanned eight years. She also appeared in many television serial dramas and 15 feature films before retiring at the peak of her popularity, at the age of 21, to marry her costar, Tomokazu Miura.

 46 
Crystal Kay
(Japanese Pop Singer Known for Her Prolific Singing Career)
Crystal Kay
2
Birthdate: February 26, 1986
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Crystal Kay is a Japanese singer, actress, songwriter, and radio host. Crystal is best known for her album Almost Seventeen which has sold more than 400,000 copies, earning her platinum certificate from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). She is also known for her collaborations with popular recording artists like Chemistry and BoA.
 47 
Akiyuki Nosaka
(Novelist, Writer, Screenwriter, Singer, Lyricist, Tarento, Broadcast writer)
Akiyuki Nosaka
2
Birthdate: October 10, 1930
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Kamakura
Died: December 9, 2015

Akiyuki Nosaka was a Japanese novelist, lyricist, and singer. He is best remembered for his children's stories about wars. In 1967, two of his stories namely American Hijiki and Grave of the Fireflies won the prestigious Naoki Prize. Many of his works, including his novel, The Pornographers, and short story, Grave of the Fireflies, have been adapted into films.

 48 
Masayuki Suzuki
(Singer)
Masayuki Suzuki
2
Birthdate: September 22, 1956
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Ota City, Tokyo, Japan

Masayuki Suzuki is a Japanese singer renowned for his association with the popular blackface pop group Rats & Star where he was the lead vocalist. Suzuki is credited with forming the band, which was disbanded in 1996. Nicknamed Japan's King of Love Songs, Masayuki Suzuki is also known for his successful solo career.

 49 
Yōsuke Kubozuka
(Actor, Singer, Model)
Yōsuke Kubozuka
2
Birthdate: May 7, 1979
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Yokosuka

Yōsuke Kubozuka is a Japanese musician and actor who worked as a model for TV commercials and magazines before starting his career as an actor. He then went on to establish himself as a reggae musician. Over the years, Kubozuka has been honored with many prestigious awards like the Japan Academy Film Prize, Television Academy Award, and Kinema Junpo Award.

 50 
Becky
(Singer & Actress)
Becky
0
Birthdate: March 6, 1984
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan