A Japanese female singer with excellent singing ability; an outstanding vocalist.

Former vocal coach specializing in Western musicRyo
With the motto “Learn the basics and enjoy putting them into practice,” I worked as a vocal coach specializing in Western music. As a teen, I questioned the idea that “Western music equals English,” and started listening to songs from around the world. Today, I devour music from over 80 countries and run a personal blog introducing tracks. I often listen to genres like nuevo flamenco, bolero, canzone, and R&B. I’ll keep updating articles daily to find the one perfect song you’re looking for!
Music producer, composer, vocal coach, keyboard playerKei Takahata
From around 1995 to 2000, he built experience as a composer and producer at a major label, then moved to the United States. In Los Angeles, he studied vocalization and singing under top voice trainer Elizabeth Sabine, mastering the so-called Hollywood vocal method she advocated. After returning to Japan, he trained and produced a variety of singers, earning high praise for his direction that maximized the appeal of both the songs and the vocalists. In a collaboration video with Guild’s vocalist ryuichi, he handled keyboard performance, vocal direction, and sound production. (Passed away in 2025)

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.

Great singers. Japanese female vocalists with high singing ability (101–110)

evening cicadaNagayama Yōko

Higurashi (Evening Cicada) / Yoko Nagayama cover by Shin

evening cicadaNagayama Yōko

This is Ms.

Nagayama’s enka debut song.

Since she used to sing folk songs, she has tremendous vocal power and is an excellent singer.

Even as she’s aged, her cute face and outstanding figure haven’t changed—and on top of that, she sings so well; it’s like giving a demon an iron club.

There was a rise of beautiful enka singers in the 1990s, but she stood out even among them.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

JIKU ~ Future Squadron TimerangerSasaki Kumi

JIKŪ ~Future Task Force Timeranger~

JIKU ~ Future Squadron TimerangerSasaki Kumi

Kumi Sasaki is a singer who is also active as a studio musician.

“JIKU ~Mirai Sentai Timeranger,” released in 2000, is the theme song for Mirai Sentai Timeranger, and it became the first opening theme in the Super Sentai series to feature a solo female vocalist.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

dandelionIkuta Rira

Rira Ikuta “Dandelion” Official Music Video

dandelionIkuta Rira

This is Lila Ikuta’s eighth digital-only single, released in January 2023; she is also active as ikura, the vocalist of YOASOBI.

By the way, the title “蒲公英” is read as “Tanpopo,” meaning dandelion.

Lila Ikuta has long been praised for her captivating high-tone voice, and that charm is in full effect in this track as well! By skillfully switching between a chest voice that resonates with rich upper overtones and a soft falsetto (head voice), she delivers a brilliant performance.

If you can reproduce this at karaoke, you’re sure to earn admiration from those around you.

But please, don’t strain your throat trying to force the high notes.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Heart to You ~Before the Night Ends~ANNA

Heart to You ~Before the Night Ends~

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

many timesAoyama Teruma

Thelma Aoyama / Nando mo

many timesAoyama Teruma

Thelma Aoyama studied gospel singing from childhood.

“Nandomo,” released in 2008, is one of her signature songs and was used as the commercial theme for the Nintendo DS software “Daigasso! Band Brothers DX.” It reached No.

6 on the Oricon chart.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Female Japanese singers with excellent singing skills (111–120)

A Woman’s HarborŌtsuki Miyako

A Woman’s Harbor by Miyako Ōtsuki

A Woman’s HarborŌtsuki Miyako

It’s an incredibly sultry song.

The opening lyrics are indescribable.

Otsuki-san captures the world of those lyrics beautifully.

When she sings, vivid scenes instantly appear in my mind.

The term “commuting wife” isn’t used much these days, but listening to this song makes me feel like I want to be a woman like that.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Silent SlopeKouzai Kaori

Kaori Kozai – "Silent Slope"

Silent SlopeKouzai Kaori

This is a Japan Record Award-winning song.

Ms.

Kozai is known for mastering so-called straight-up enka, but she’s also top-class at songs like this that are, if anything, less enka-like.

The composer is the famous Koji Tamaki.

After this song, she teamed up with Mr.

Tamaki several more times to release additional tracks.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem