A Japanese female singer with excellent singing ability; an outstanding vocalist.
Even when we say someone is “a good singer,” that can mean many different things.
They might have astonishingly steady pitch, a superhuman vocal range, exquisite sense of rhythm, or a truly overwhelming voice.
This time, I’ve picked out female singers who are widely regarded as “great” from various angles like these, as well as female singers who, from my years of experience as a vocal producer and voice coach, make me think, “She’s outstanding!”
Of course, a singer’s appeal doesn’t necessarily lie only in technical skill.
But every now and then, isn’t it nice to listen with a focus on “skill”?
I hope this will be helpful for those who aspire to become singers as well.
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Female Japanese singers with excellent vocals (61–70)
If you call it loveUru
Uru is a Japanese singer-songwriter.
She has earned numerous tie-ins so many people have likely heard her songs.
One of her greatest charms is the beauty of her mix voice and falsetto.
Many listeners are captivated by her clear, translucent vocals that even evoke a sacred atmosphere.
Her contrasting vocal expressions are also noteworthy, from a gentle, whisper-like delivery to a powerful, expansive style.
Tears aren’t just for show.Nakamori Akina
Akina Nakamori is a Japanese singer and actress.
Since she debuted as an idol in 1982—a year said to be a banner year for idols—there may not have been many opportunities for the public to fully recognize her vocal prowess.
But I believe she is actually a singer with strong vocal ability.
It’s true she isn’t known for shockingly high notes or a powerfully masculine delivery, but her singing that makes the most of her mid-to-low range—likely her greatest strength—is very compelling.
She may not be flashy, but she’s a singer with solid, reliable skill.
In the song I’m introducing here, “Kazarijanai no yo Namida wa” (“Tears Aren’t Just for Show”), she masterfully handles the highly challenging melody written by Yosui Inoue.
mintUno Misako (AAA)
Released in May 2019 as the third single under Misako Uno’s solo name, the main vocalist of the dance-vocal group AAA (Triple A).
She says she spent a month and a half studying in the UK when she was in junior high school, and perhaps it’s precisely because she has a lived, tactile sense of life in the English-speaking world that she’s able to deliver a Japanese dance track—often prone to sounding a bit clunky—with the polish and feel of Western pop.
She also pays close attention to diet and fitness in her daily life and works as a certified fasting counselor in the areas of nutrition, health, and beauty.
While her voice isn’t the thick, robust type associated with so-called powerhouse singers, it has a firm core—no doubt the result of her steady training in abdominal control.
As with AAA’s songs, the slightly mechanized vocal processing direction also plays to the strengths of her vocal timbre.
Starry NightYuka
Yu-ka’s “Hoshizukiyo” is a song that draws listeners in with its vivid musical sensibility and exquisite control in the high register.
Her sense of rhythm and skillful switching to a rich, low chest voice convey overwhelming vocal prowess.
Especially in the chorus, she unveils a mixed voice that perfectly suits the gentle ballad, producing a soft yet clear tone through a projection technique that covers a wide range.
This track brilliantly fuses the sensibilities she gained from living abroad with elements of J-pop expression, gaining even more depth through the way she blends breath in the lower passages.
Her captivating vocals possess a beauty you won’t forget once you’ve heard them.
blue skySalyu
She says she began singing to build up her strength after a childhood bout of pneumonia that put her in the hospital, and joined the Crown Girls’ Choir.
Even in this song, you can sense how fully she draws on those early experiences: her pronunciation of the lyrics is stunningly clear, with exceptionally crisp diction.
The real showstopper is the ultra–high notes at the end of the chorus.
She reportedly sang children’s songs, modern music, and hymns in that choir, and it seems those experiences underpin a soaring high register that never feels strained or forced.
That endlessly extending high tone brims with a power that pulls listeners’ hearts closer.
Love Storyshiki
The lead track from Shiki’s first album, “Love Story,” released in 2008, by the Kyoto-born singer-songwriter.
This is actually a production of mine—an indie project—but I wanted more people to discover her wonderful voice, so I decided to feature it here.
Shiki studied voice at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, and her singing is truly “beyond what you’d expect from a typical Japanese singer,” fully on par with major-label artists.
I believe many listeners will connect with it.
There’s a lot here that aspiring pop singers can learn from as well, so please enjoy.
You can listen to the recommended album below: https://music.apple.com/jp/album/love-story/1421203383
rainbow-coloredayaka
Ayaka has been highly praised for her vocal ability since her debut, and that mastery of singing and expression shines through even in her signature song “Nijiiro,” with its light, slightly bouncy rhythm.
You can fully savor the charm of her voice—slightly husky and rich in alluring overtones.
While she doesn’t showcase any superhuman vocals in this track, the way she delivers stable, expressive singing within such a simple, catchy melody is nothing short of impressive.