A roundup of debut songs by Japanese female artists from the 1970s
The 1970s was a time in Japanese music history when a wide variety of female artists—singer-songwriters and idols alike—burst onto the scene, bringing vibrant color to the world of Japanese pop.
From towering figures like Miyuki Nakajima and Yumi Arai to stars such as Mari Amachi, Momoe Yamaguchi, Pink Lady, and Candies, this golden era produced one beloved classic after another.
Is there a debut song from those days by a female artist that still resonates with you? In this article, we’ll introduce the memorable debut tracks of the women who blazed through that dazzling decade.
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- [1970s] Collection of Japanese hit songs. Nostalgic masterpieces of Japan
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- [Showa Kayō] A roundup of Japanese love songs that hit in the 1970s
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- [1970s] Classic and hit songs of Japanese rock that blazed through the dawn era
- Female Singer-Songwriters of the ’60s: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
- Debut songs by Japanese female artists [Shocking hits & must-know classics]
Debut Songs of Japanese Female Artists from the 1970s (1–10)
17 years oldMinami Saori
This is the striking debut single by Saori Minami, who burst onto the scene from Okinawa in 1971 like a comet.
The title “17-sai” (“Seventeen”), sung by her at the age of 16, is incredibly memorable, isn’t it? The scene of being alone by the seaside with someone you love, heart fluttering with a slightly grown-up kind of romance, is something many of us may have experienced.
The sweet-and-sour, slightly bittersweet feelings carried by the stylish, Western-influenced sound blend perfectly with Saori Minami’s clear, luminous voice, and even today it makes your heart tighten without you realizing it.
No reply needed.Arai Yumi
This is the memorable debut single by Yumi Arai, known as Yuming, who would go on to lead the later J-POP scene.
Produced by Hiroshi Kamayatsu, with illustrious musicians like Yukihiro Takahashi participating, it’s an astonishingly polished track for a debut.
Its light, American rock-style sound pairs perfectly with her urbane, slightly cool vocals.
The lyrics, in which she senses the end of a romance and draws the curtain herself by saying “I don’t need an answer,” also feel like a brave front masking held-back loneliness.
That precocious sensibility may well have been the glimmer of the talent that would later give rise to countless masterpieces.
age; the age range typical for adolescence or a particular stage in lifeYamaguchi Momoe
This is the memorable debut single of Momoe Yamaguchi, born from the show “Star Tanjō!” The lyrics were written by Kazuya Senke, with composition and arrangement by Shunichi Tokura.
It was a launch that carried the full weight of expectations as “the big Sony, the big new star.” The refreshing melody that evokes a sea breeze and the lyrics about a 14-year-old girl’s pure feelings of first love are a perfect match.
The moment you become aware of the one you like, the world suddenly looks more vivid—this song brings back that fresh, innocent sensation.
Precisely because this song existed, the shift in her subsequent works toward the slightly darker ‘Aoi Sei’ direction may have appeared all the more dramatic.
Debut Songs of Japanese Female Artists from the 70s (11–20)
Back then, I wasiruka
This is Iruka’s memorable debut single, released in 1974 when she began her solo career after the breakup of the Shrieks.
The lyrics and music were written by Shozo Ise of Kaguya-hime, marking the start of a brilliant career that would lead to a major hit the following year.
The gentle tones of the acoustic guitar evoke scenes from days gone by.
Now that we’re adults, we can understand the struggles born of youth and the vague anxieties about the future.
Many listeners may find themselves overlaying their own adolescence onto the “me back then” portrayed in the lyrics.
Iruka’s clear, transparent voice feels as if it affirms the slightly overreaching version of ourselves from that time, leaving our hearts warmly comforted.
Even if love diesYashiro Aki
This is the landmark debut single of Aki Yashiro, affectionately known as the “Queen of Enka.” Released in 1971, the song grabs your heart right from its striking opening phrase.
The unwavering, passionate feeling—choosing death over losing love—is delivered with heartrending intensity through that already fully formed husky voice from her debut days.
The expressive power she honed during her time as a club singer seems to meld perfectly with the dramatic melody, which evokes the atmosphere of a city after nightfall.
Perhaps the depth of emotion imbued in this song helped pave the way for her to become one of the greats.
Midnight Door ~ Stay With MeMatsubara Miki
This is Miki Matsubara’s debut single, released in 1979.
In recent years, as the song has been “rediscovered” overseas, it has become a landmark track that opened the door to the now globally celebrated city pop movement.
Matsubara was 19 at the time of release, yet the lyrics depict the morning after a breakup between two adults.
Her clear, slightly wistful vocals match exquisitely with the urbane, sophisticated sound.
It may bring back memories of an unforgettable love and make your chest tighten a little.
Even before calling it city pop, it’s simply an exceptional masterpiece in every respect—be sure to give it a listen.
Hide-and-seekIshikawa Sayuri
This is the memorable debut single released in 1973 by Sayuri Ishikawa, who would go on to become a leading figure in the enka world.
She was only 15 when the song came out! Quite different from the powerful image of “Tsugaru Strait – Winter Scene,” her charming, idol-like vocals here feel wonderfully fresh.
The nostalgic melody, reminiscent of a children’s song, pairs perfectly with lyrics that evoke faint memories of playing in back alleys at dusk.
It might even be overlaying the bittersweet feelings of first love for someone special with a game of hide-and-seek in search of “that child” who can no longer be found.
A sentimental track that lets you glimpse the precious starting point of a great singer.