[2026] Enka and Kayōkyoku Singers from Overseas

The genres of enka and kayōkyoku have a distinctly Japanese ring to them, and there are many masterpieces that sing of quintessential Japanese sentiment, romantic twists and turns, and vivid scene-setting.

That’s why it feels so fresh when singers from overseas perform enka or kayōkyoku in Japanese.

Many people probably remember the shock when Jero, who debuted in the 2000s with a B-boy style look, delivered flawless enka vocals.

But in fact, Japanese enka and kayōkyoku sung by foreigners have existed since the Showa era.

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of foreign singers who perform enka and kayōkyoku in Japanese.

If you’re a younger listener interested in Showa-era pop, be sure to check it out!