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 great singing ability (71–80)
Oneway GenerationHonda Minako
This was a single by Minako Honda, released in February 1987.
It was also the theme song for the drama “Papa wa News Caster,” starring Masakazu Tamura.
She might not strike you at first listen as the kind of singer who makes you think “Wow, what a virtuoso!” but the steady, assured vocals you hear in this track are, in my opinion, more than worthy of high praise.
Considering it was released in 1987, this was a time before today’s pitch-correction technologies existed.
Singers from the era when the technology wasn’t yet developed really were amazing in so many ways!
RUNWAYSutefanī
A song by Stephanie, a Japanese female singer of mixed heritage with an Armenian-American father and a Japanese mother, released in September 2018.
While many skilled female vocalists tend to showcase their high notes, her appeal—clearly evident in this track—is that she fully captivates even without relying on high tones.
Her voice has a compelling, profound quality that draws listeners in, and her vocal expression, which makes the most of that voice, is truly captivating!
Spring Awakens in Toi (Ver.1)UA
This is a collaborative track by UA and MONDO GROSSO, included on MONDO GROSSO’s album “Nando demo Atarashiku Umareru” released in June 2017.
The CD features Version 2, while the Version 1 in this video is included in the advance release on the iTunes Store.
UA’s vocals—tinged with a touch of melancholy yet brimming with wild, primal strength—blend perfectly with the deep house direction MONDO GROSSO pursues on this work, which incorporates a wide array of musical elements including soul, jazz, reggae, dub, electro, and world music.
UA’s singing showcases masterful use of “breath”: skillful rhythmic expression using breath noise and nuanced breath control from falsetto to middle voice, lending the track a profoundly soulful color.
Jindo MonogatariTendō Yoshimi
Yoshimi Tendo is an enka singer who had been participating in amateur singing contests since childhood.
Her 1996 release “Jindo Monogatari” became a long-running hit, selling over 1.3 million copies.
She received the Best Vocal Performance award at the 38th Japan Record Awards.
Tomorrow as wellMiyazaki Asako (SHISHAMO)
This is a song by the Japanese three-piece rock band SHISHAMO, included on their album SHISHAMO 4 released in February 2017.
It was also used in an NTT Docomo commercial.
The charm of the vocalist, Asako Miyazaki, is without a doubt her bright, clear, and energetic straight-ahead singing, which you can hear to the fullest in this track.
At first listen it may not give off a “virtuoso” or “technical” impression, but her pitch and vocal production are extremely stable.
She skillfully switches between a light, gentle falsetto for the high parts and powerful, piercing chest high notes, fully expressing the song’s world.
Bright, cute, and skilled! I think it’s also an ideal study piece for people in bands.
Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi
A Japanese singer and singer-songwriter born in 1955.
Known for a musicality that transcends the boundaries between folk and kayōkyoku, she is said to have paved the way for today’s female J-pop vocalists.
Her signature song, released in 1975, was a massive hit, selling 867,000 copies.
Distinctive features include her style of singing while playing the piano and kayōkyoku that incorporates elements of folk music, setting her apart from the typical idols of the time.
Many of her songs have a calm, composed atmosphere, reflecting her individuality and talent as a singer-songwriter.
After marrying at 30 and becoming a mother of two, she continued her music career at her own pace while balancing childrearing.
Recommended for those who enjoy nostalgic Shōwa-era kayōkyoku and music with a serene mood.
I’m crazy about youUtada Hikaru
Hikaru Utada was born into a musical family and raised in New York.
With her 1998 debut single “Automatic/time will tell,” she sparked an R&B boom in the Japanese music scene.
Her arrival helped popularize a vocal style that set Japanese lyrics to a 16-beat groove.
The following year, her first album “First Love” set a domestic record with about 7.65 million copies sold and won the Japan Gold Disc Award, demonstrating her immense influence.
While R&B forms the core of her sound, she incorporates elements like electronica, resulting in a diverse musicality.
Yet across all her songs, there’s an underlying rhythm that invites a pleasant sway of the body.
Experience that feeling where words and beat become one.