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 (11–20)
God of RomanceHirose Kōmi
This was Kōmi Hirose’s third single, released in December 1993.
Helped by its tie-in as the theme song for the ski equipment store Alpen’s commercial, it sold over 1.7 million copies, became a big hit, and is counted as one of the quintessential winter songs—a true classic.
What truly elevates this ’90s J-pop masterpiece is, above all, Hirose’s powerful, piercing high-tone voice.
Without ever sounding constricted in the throat, she sings those soaring high notes with remarkable ease and openness—truly impressive!
The decisive battle is on Friday.Yoshida Miwa (DREAMS COME TRUE)
In recent years, there have been many Japanese singers whose performances can hold their own against top Black vocalists from the home of the genre, but I think one reason Miwa Yoshida’s vocals are so widely loved is that, while she has that kind of power, she never loses the uniquely Japanese delicacy and the pop sensibility that resonates with Japanese listeners.
While preserving that “Japaneseness,” this song takes on some pretty challenging rhythms—especially the 16-beat feel typical of R&B—and she delivers the difficult-to-fit Japanese lyrics flawlessly, creating a real groove.
Please listen with a focus on that sense of rhythm and groove.
StyleShimizu Miisa
Misa Shimizu is a female singer who’s also active on variety shows.
Influenced by Western music, she boasts strong vocal skills, especially exceptional stability in her high-register ad-libs.
While her vibrato can be wobbly at lower pitches, that’s limited to the low range; in the highs, she’s among the best in Japan.
Her pitch control in whistle register is particularly extraordinary, and in “Style,” you can fully savor her whistle tones.
Be sure to check it out.
The Kouga Ninja Scrollskuroneko (onmyo-za)
The 10th single by the Japanese HM/HR band Onmyo-za, released in April 2005.
It was used as the opening theme for the UHF TV anime Basilisk: The Kouga Ninja Scrolls.
Kuroneko, the vocalist of Onmyo-za, is widely recognized for her exceptional singing ability, and in this song she showcases remarkable expressive power—particularly in the high register—by skillfully switching between a gentle, soft falsetto and a powerful, chest-voice high tone.
I also find her use of vibrato in the sustained long note at the end of the chorus to be especially excellent.
Let’s count your kissesKoyanagi Yuki
There’s no need to explain Yuki Koyanagi’s exceptional vocal ability here—you all know it well.
When she debuted, it was during the so-called diva boom, with many female singers possessing strong vocals making their debuts, but even among them, Koyanagi’s singing stood out.
Still, listening to this debut track again now, you can hear plenty of the freshness characteristic of a first single—like her high-tone delivery and the way she handles certain phrases.
You could call it a bit rough around the edges, but it actually feels quite new and appealing!
RE RESCUEREOL
Reol is a female singer-songwriter who’s gained popularity with sharp, danceable music.
She rose to fame with The Sixth Sense and has kept dropping big tunes since, so many of you probably know her.
Unusually for a mainstream crowd-pleaser, she has solid vocal ability.
Because of the genre, it doesn’t always get attention, but her ad-libs are highly polished, and her vocals—brimming with speed and making full use of her unique tone—are breathtaking.
Her singing has grown more refined with each step of her career, so expectations for her in the next 5–10 years are high.
Female Japanese singers (ages 21–30) who are good at singing / have strong vocal ability
Your LoveFurui Riho
Since the 2020s began, singer-songwriter Riho Furui has been gaining popularity.
Having spent 15 years in a gospel choir, she has mastered the foundational vocal techniques of R&B, soul, and gospel.
Because her music tends to lean a bit pop, it’s not always easy to fully appreciate the essence of those skills, but in “Your Love” she offers several excellent ad-libs and falls.
Lately, she’s been releasing tracks with a sharper musical edge here and there, so we may see even more expansive vocal expression from her going forward.