Japanese Female Singers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Meiko Kaji is a Japanese singer and actress best known for playing outlaw characters in movies like Stray Cat Rock, Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion, and Wandering Ginza Butterfly. She has appeared in more than 100 television series and films so far. Meiko Kaji was honored with the prestigious Kinuyo Tanaka Award at the 75th Mainichi Film Awards.

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.

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.

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.

Minami Takahashi is a Japanese idol, tarento, and singer. She is best known for her association with the popular idol girl group AKB48 from 2005 to 2016. Takahashi has also played an influential role in many of AKB48's sub-groups like No Sleeves. 

Olivia Ong is a Singaporean actress and singer best known for her work in Mandarin Chinese. Ong has also recorded songs in other languages like Japanese, Cantonese, and English. In 2009, she won the Star Award for Best Theme Song for her work in the 2008 drama serial The Little Nyonya.

Misia is a Japanese record producer, singer, and songwriter. She is best known for her album Mother Father Brother Sister which went on to become the seventh best-selling debut album of all time in Japan. Widely regarded as Japan's first R&B superstar, Misia is also credited with releasing one of the best-selling Japanese singles of all time, Everything.

Though born with right-body paralysis, Sumire Morohoshi recovered within the first few months. Starting her career as a child voice actor, she gained fame with her performances in projects such as Red Garden and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. She has also dubbed for movies such as Spider-Man 3 and Interstellar.

Yuko Oshima is a Japanese actress and singer best known for her association with the popular idol girl group AKB48 where she captained Team K. Her contribution to the Japanese film and music industry since 1996 has earned her several prestigious awards like the Television Drama Academy Award, Japan Academy Prize, and Hochi Film Award.

Donna Burke is an Australian singer, narrator, voice actress, and businesswoman. Apart from contributing to anime songs and TV commercials as a voice actress, Burke also contributes as a lyricist. In 2007, a documentary named Climate in Crisis which was narrated by her won the silver medal at the New York Television Festival. 

Rino Sashihara is a Japanese actress, singer, and producer best known for her association with the popular idol group HKT48 where she was an important member. Sashihara was also part of AKB48's sub-group Not Yet. Over the years, Rino Sashihara has contributed immensely to several Japanese TV dramas and films. 

Mai Kuraki is a Japanese R&B and pop singer-songwriter best known for her debut album Delicious Way, which is the ninth best-selling Japanese album of all-time. Kuraki is the only female singer to release singles that have been successively debuting in the Top 10 since 1999.