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 (ages 41–50)
Zankyo SankaAimer
This singer Aimer has a wonderfully appealing voice that’s a bit husky in a good way.
What strikes me is how her vocals often sound captivating even in intense, rock-tinged tracks that typically suit clearer, piercing voices.
It’s just my personal impression, but perhaps it’s easiest to imagine it as Hikaru Utada singing rock.
I think she’s a singer who hints at a new direction for J-POP and J-ROCK in a certain sense.
Female Japanese singers with great vocals (rank 51–60)
Runwaymilet
A track from milet’s second single.
In the so-called A-melody at the beginning, her singing feels quite relaxed and doesn’t immediately come across as showcasing high vocal prowess.
But that changes completely when the chorus hits with those high tones! Her chest-voice highs are produced somewhat by pushing, so they don’t exactly blast through, but what’s truly outstanding is how she navigates the difficult high-pitched lines by cleanly using falsetto, almost floating through them.
The contrast with the rather unpolished tone in the verse sections is striking, and the result is a performance truly worthy of praise.
It’s a great example for female vocalists on how to use falsetto effectively.
Noto PeninsulaIshikawa Sayuri
Sayuri Ishikawa is a Japanese enka singer born in 1958.
Inspired to become a singer after experiencing Chiyoko Shimakura’s music show when she was in first grade, she began taking voice lessons and made her major debut in 1973 with “Kakurenbo.” Although she didn’t have many hits for a while, “Tsugaru Strait—Winter Scene,” released in January 1977, became a smash hit, and she is now regarded as one of Japan’s leading female enka singers.
“Noto Peninsula,” which we’re introducing here, is her 16th single and the one produced right after her breakout hit “Tsugaru Strait—Winter Scene.” From the very start of the track, her voice bursts forth—crystal-clear and solidly centered—sure to surprise listeners.
Even in the high passages, her unstrained, expansive high tones are remarkable and well worth noting.
Bad Bad (Prod. Chaki Zulu)Awich
When it comes to modern queen of female rappers, Awich is undoubtedly the first name that comes to mind.
Growing up in Okinawa, she was immersed in English and international culture from an early age.
Thanks to that background, she has outstanding groove, flow, and pronunciation.
While she’s best known for her rapping, she’s also an excellent vocalist, delivering a string of quality falls in “Bad Bad (Prod.
Chaki Zulu).” Her voice has a rich thickness that’s substantial even by Japanese music standards, so even listeners accustomed to Western music will be satisfied.
Server Downmurasaki ima
Right now, singer-songwriter Shion is drawing major attention on the scene.
Her signature track “Masho no Onna A” became a hit and a hot topic on TikTok, so many of you may already know it.
She has an R&B background, and as a result, she frequently incorporates techniques like ad-libs and falls—applied R&B vocal skills—into her songs.
Although her live performance experience is still limited and there are some rough edges in projection and vocal production, she has already mastered these advanced techniques, so we can look forward to her future growth and success.
innocent starterMizuki Nana
Nana Mizuki, who is also highly popular as a voice actress, debuted in 2000.
“innocent starter” is a single released in 2004 and became her first song to enter the top 10 on the Oricon charts.
It was used as the opening theme for the TV anime Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha.
My RevolutionWatanabe Misato
Misato Watanabe is a Japanese female singer and singer-songwriter.
The song I’m introducing today, “My Revolution,” is her fourth single, released on January 22, 1986.
Incidentally, it was composed by Tetsuya Komuro.
In recent years, many singers’ performances—whether in vocal technique, expression, or songwriting—have become quite complex, but this track is a thoroughly classic pop song.
Watanabe’s singing here, in terms of vocal production and expressive power, clearly conveys a straightforward, traditional sense of “being a good singer.” In that sense, her singing style might feel a bit dated to younger listeners today, but I believe this kind of classic, orthodox style transcends eras.
She’s a female pop singer I especially hope younger generations—those who didn’t experience that time in real time—will listen to.