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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Great singers. Japanese female vocalists with high singing ability (91–100)
LetterYuki Saori
Saori Yuki has continued to shine in the Japanese music scene for many years.
She debuted in 1965 and had a major breakthrough with “Yoa ke no Scat” in 1969.
In 1970, she topped the Oricon charts for six consecutive weeks with “Tegami” and won the Vocal Performance Award at the 12th Japan Record Awards.
Known for her beautiful voice and scat singing, she has been active not only as a singer but also as an actress and TV host.
On her show “Saori Yuki’s Lovely Music Hall,” she featured a wide range of artists and performed timeless classics.
With her astonishing pitch stability and exquisite sense of rhythm, Saori Yuki’s singing is highly recommended for anyone seeking to elevate their vocal abilities.
Don’t look back.Za Pīnattsu
The Peanuts were a sister duo consisting of Emi Ito and Yumi Ito, acclaimed not only in Japan but also overseas.
“Furimukanaide” is a single released in 1962 and has been covered by various singers, including Candies and Yasuko Matsuyuki.
BelieveShenelu
It’s a track from Che’Nelle’s third album, “Believe,” released in July 2012.
It was selected as the theme song for the fourth film in the Umizaru series, “BRAVE HEARTS: Umizaru,” which premiered on July 13, 2012.
It’s a grand ballad, yet powerful—the soaring high notes and expressive vocals feel remarkably beyond what you typically hear from Japanese artists.
I think it’s also an ideal song for practicing high notes, so if you want to improve your singing, be sure to study her performance!
flameLiSA
LiSA is a Japanese female solo singer who made her major debut in 2010.
The song we’re featuring here, Homura, is a somewhat heavy, slow-tempo rock track, and even in this piece she delivers a stunning vocal performance.
In particular, in the highest notes of the chorus, she sings the first chorus gently using falsetto, making you momentarily think, “Maybe high notes aren’t her strong suit?”—only to shift from the second chorus onward to a brilliant, chesty head voice that soars with piercing high tones.
That breadth of expressive range is truly overwhelming to hear.
From the perspective of a producer like myself, she’s such an outstanding singer that I can’t help but think, “I’d love to direct her in the studio at least once!”
Heart to You ~Before the Night Ends~ANNA
This is a 1996 track by ANNA, who debuted as a singer in Vocaland, a project bringing together female singers produced by Toshiki Kadomatsu.
According to an interview with Kadomatsu that I read at the time, the idea was to release a work that emphasized “vocal prowess” as an antithesis to the then highly praised so-called Komuro-style songs and singers.
Just as Kadomatsu intended, ANNA’s vocal ability here is truly outstanding, and personally, I really wish she had received more recognition.
LOVE ～Destiny～Hamasaki Ayumi
Ayumi Hamasaki debuted as a singer in 1998 and came to be known as the “charisma of high school girls.” “LOVE ~Destiny~” is a single released in 1999 and was used as an insert song in the TV drama “Semi-Double.”
AliveNiizuma Seiko
Her singing, having also performed as a musical theater actress, is striking for its beautifully soaring high notes, and I think she’s a vocalist with exceptional skill.
It seems she spent several years living abroad, and perhaps that experience contributes to her nuanced rhythmic phrasing that never feels flat.
If you listen closely to how she subtly varies her vocal placement within a single song depending on the expression, you’ll gain an even deeper appreciation of her high level of ability.