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!
One-Winged BirdShikata Akiko
Akiko Shikata is a singer-songwriter who also works within the doujin music scene.
“Katayoku no Tori” is her debut single, released in 2009, and it was used as the opening theme for the TV anime Umineko no Naku Koro ni.
It reached No.
11 on the Oricon charts.
Blue CanaryYukimura Izumi
Izumi Yukimura can be called a pioneer of Japanese popular music.
While she is famously known for gaining popularity as one of the “Three Girls” alongside Hibari Misora and Chiemi Eri, her prowess as a jazz vocalist is also unquestionable.
Since her debut with “Omoi-de no Waltz (Waltz of Memories)” in 1953, she has masterfully performed Western music with exceptional rhythm and was active in films and theater from the 1950s.
She also pursued international activities, appearing on the popular American program The Ed Sullivan Show.
Her talent has been highly acclaimed, including receiving the Grand Prize at the Japan Jazz Vocal Awards in 1993.
In 2013, she released a commemorative album, “Omoi-de no Waltz ~ Tribute Sannin Musume / Waga Kokoro no Hibari, Chiemi,” so be sure to check out her sophisticated singing voice!
Stars on EarthNakajima Miyuki
Miyuki Nakajima is a Japanese singer-songwriter.
She made her major debut in 1975 with the single “Azami-jō no Lullaby,” and since then she has continued to release numerous hit songs up to the present day.
Her voice and singing style are highly distinctive, so I feel listeners tend to be sharply divided over whether they like her or not.
Even so, her vocal delivery—maximizing the qualities of that “unique voice”—and her expressive power in singing are truly remarkable, and I believe that is a key part of her enduring appeal that has kept her at the forefront of the music industry for nearly half a century since her debut.
If you isolate just the vocal melodies of the songs she composes, the range used is not particularly wide, and melodically some pieces can feel rather flat.
Yet when she sings them, her exceptional expressive ability transforms them into highly dramatic works, leaving listeners with a powerful, overwhelming impression.
Aim to be a Pokémon MasterMatsumoto Rika
Rica Matsumoto is also highly regarded as a voice actress and is especially famous for playing Ash in the TV anime Pokémon.
The song used as the Pokémon theme, “Mezase Pokémon Master,” was released in 1997 and sold 1.85 million copies.
moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro
Japanese singer-songwriter Chihiro Onitsuka made her major debut in February 2000 with her first single, “Shine.” Her second single, “Gekkou,” was selected as the theme song for the popular TV Asahi drama “TRICK,” which helped propel her to instant stardom.
I feel that the greatest appeal of her singing lies in her solid vocal projection, grounded in a strong technical foundation.
Even in songs that call for a gentle voice—such as her second single “Gekkou”—she delivers performances that are tender in expression yet never weak, displaying masterful control.
She is a singer who reminds us anew that firm, well-supported vocal production is essential to singing and to expressing a piece of music.
Female Japanese singers (ages 21–30) who are good at singing / have strong vocal ability
What A Wonderful WorldMāsa Miyake
Martha Miyake, who supported Japan’s postwar jazz scene and was cherished by many fans as its “Queen.” She began her professional career around 1953, honing her craft as the featured vocalist with Raymond Conde and the Gay Septet.
She made her record debut in 1955 and released her first album, Tokyo Canaries, in 1958.
Her English pronunciation and sense of swing were praised as being on par with the best, and she left behind numerous outstanding performances, mainly of standards.
Her 1993 recital earned her the Arts Festival Award, and in 2006 she received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette—honors that reflect a long career at the forefront of the scene.
She passed away in 2025 at the age of 92, mourned by many, but her voice and achievements are eternal.
If you want to experience the essence of authentic jazz vocals, be sure to give her a listen!