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.
- 1970s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- Nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1970s: the golden age of idols and kayōkyoku (Japanese pop songs)
- Debut song of a 1970s idol
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese idols from the 1970s
- Top 1980s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- [1970s] Collection of Japanese hit songs. Nostalgic masterpieces of Japan
- Debut songs by female artists from the 1980s
- [Showa Kayō] A roundup of Japanese love songs that hit in the 1970s
- [70s Western Music] Timeless Masterpieces and Popular Songs by Female Singers
- [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 70s (21–30)
Lost roadWatanabe Machiko
In the late 70s and throughout the 80s, Machiko Watanabe became a hitmaker.
Her debut song was a massive hit, and her overwhelming vocal prowess left a strong impression.
The songs she released afterward also became hits, and she grew into an artist everyone knew.
Rainy Day SoliloquyYagami Junko
Junko Yagami, well known for her hit songs “Mizuiro no Ame” and “Purple Town.” Her lesser-known debut song shows her fresh, early days from the Popcon era.
From the very beginning, her piano technique and clear singing voice were already leading her toward those later hits.
awakeningKinochi Midori
It was released in 1974 as Midori Kinouchi’s debut single.
She got her break into show business as a mascot girl on a music program and made her debut as a singer with this song.
With her cute features and charming voice, she gained popularity; although the record itself wasn’t a hit, her bromide photos sold like hotcakes.
Even angels dreamSakurada Junko
Junko Sakurada made her singing debut in 1973 with this song under the catchphrase “Angel of the Breeze.” The lyrics were written by Yū Aku and the music composed by Taiji Nakamura, and it reached No.
12 on the Oricon chart.
Nagisa Katahira, now active as an actress, is also known for having sung this song at an audition in the past.
Hey, listen, Mom.ishida ayumi
Ayumi Ishida was a leading figure among artists of the 1970s and was very famous at the time.
“Blue Light Yokohama” is so nostalgic that it was practically a national song—people who know it can’t help but hum along, don’t you think?
White WeekendAn Ruisu
Ann Lewis is a mixed-race singer with an American father and a Japanese mother, and this song was released in 1971 as her debut single.
It came out the year before the Sapporo Olympics and has a winter theme.
In the beginning, she mainly worked as a gravure idol and performed idol pop songs.
duetIwasaki Hiromi
It was released in 1975 as Hiromi Iwasaki’s debut single.
Her expansive, crystalline vocals—perfectly matching the catchphrase “Resound to the heavens, Hiromi Iwasaki”—left a strong impression, and she still performs the song frequently in concerts today, where it has become customary for her to sing it without a microphone.
a young woman’s heartMizusawa Aki
It was released in 1973 as Aki Mizusawa’s debut single.
From the age of 14, she spent two years with the Wakakusa Theater Company and made her acting debut in 1972 under the stage name “Akiko Mizusawa.” As a singer, she debuted with the catchphrase “The third daughter of the Sony family.”
Anko Camellia is the flower of loveMiyako Harumi
Speaking of vocal ornamentation in enka, Harumi Miyako comes to mind.
Even in live performances, Miyako delivers powerful stages—her very presence can only be described as charismatic.
Her debut song later became a hit, which helped make her name widely known, and she went on to grow into an artist whose releases were all major hits.
No one knows anyone.Katō Tokiko
With just a single guitar, Tokiko Kato unfolds a marvelous world of song.
Many people may not be familiar with her debut track, right? As her career has grown through the ’70s and ’80s, her music has deepened, and surely many listeners resonate with Tokiko’s art.