[2026] Half-Japanese Singers/Vocalists: Artists with Overseas Heritage [Active and Notable in Japan]
When you think of half-Japanese or quarter-Japanese singers active in Japan’s music scene, which artists come to mind? Artists with diverse roots are showcasing their talents across genres like rock, pop, and hip-hop.
Their unique sensibilities and expressive power enrich the hearts of listeners.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of artists with overseas heritage, regardless of genre.
We’re also featuring many Gen Z artists, so whether you already have favorites or are looking to discover new talent, you’re sure to enjoy the journey.
Find someone who can add color to your musical life.
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[2026] Half-Japanese Singers/Vocalists: Artists with Overseas Roots [Active and Notable in Japan] (41–50)
HONDA (Prod.Dr.Pay)Masumi
Tokyo-based artist Friday Night Plans, who drew attention with the Honda VEZEL commercial song “HONDA.” The vocalist, Masumi, is a singer with a Japanese father and a Filipino mother.
After posting cover videos on Instagram and performing live, she debuted in 2018 with “Happy Birthday.” That same year, she also covered Mariya Takeuchi’s classic “Plastic Love,” which had resurged in Japan through overseas buzz.
Influenced by artists like Mariah Carey, her R&B-like groove and striking vocal prowess feel refreshingly atypical for Japan.
Her music often embraces introspective emotions, offering a sense of escapism and transporting you to another world, wrapping listeners in a relaxing mood.
Enjoy Masumi’s lush, wet-sounding vocals that amplify the charm of these tracks, along with genre-blurring production.
[2026] Half-Japanese Singers/Vocalists: Artists with Overseas Roots [Active and Notable in Japan] (51–60)
dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo
Yo Hitoto, who is half Taiwanese through her father and Japanese through her mother, was born in Taiwan and raised in Japan.
She made a sensational debut with “Morainaki,” but in fact she lost her parents at a young age and has a complex background.
The beloved gem “Hanamizuki” is said to have been created after she received an email from a friend who was in the United States at the time of the September 11 attacks.
Please savor the lyrical depth that makes you reflect on life and death, and on love.
StoryAI
Strictly speaking, AI isn’t half but a quarter, since her maternal grandmother is Italian American and her father is Japanese—so please forgive the technicality.
She was born in Los Angeles and raised in Kagoshima.
Her songs give the impression of a Western artist singing Japanese lyrics, and I think that’s due less to her being a quarter and more to the fact that she spent her late teens in the U.S., where she was exposed to authentic gospel.
Even her Japanese pronunciation has a somewhat English-like ring to it.
You’ll be able to fully enjoy her husky, slightly soulful tone.
Two People’s WhistleFoi
Foi is a singer-songwriter born in 1998 and is half Japanese and half Chinese.
Driven by her desire to wear a Japanese high school uniform, she returned to Japan, joined the light music club in high school, and passed the SONY MUSIC development audition.
A former member of the acoustic session unit Plasonica, she has also uploaded cover videos with Ikuta Rira, the vocalist of YOASOBI.
Drawing on her experience living in China, her music—shaped by C-pop and Mandopop—carries an oriental yet stylish flair.
Foi’s uniquely lustrous vocals and dreamlike lyrics are beautiful, creating charming pop songs that blend moody melodies with a city-pop vibe.
In 2020, she released a track produced by Shin Sakiura, marking her as a must-watch female singer you shouldn’t miss!
Hard Knock DaysShirahama Alan
Alan Shirahama is a performer from GENERATIONS and is half Japanese on his father’s side and Spanish-Filipino on his mother’s side.
He became famous as part of a beautiful sibling duo with his older sister, Loveli, who is a model.
This song is the theme song for the anime One Piece and is very popular among children.
The last kindnessJAY’ED
They are half Japanese, with a Japanese father and a New Zealander mother.
Born in New Zealand, they lived there until the age of ten and then moved to Osaka.
The song being introduced here, “Saigo no Yasashisa” (The Last Kindness), is their third single, released in February 2009.
At first listen it may sound like a typical ballad, but you can notice an English-like quality—for example, in the ad-lib at the beginning, the pronunciation in the English-lyric parts, and even in the Japanese lyrics.
In particular, the sense of timing and the subtle intonation in the opening ad-lib are things that would be hard to express with a purely Japanese sensibility.
Their slightly husky voice also makes them a very captivating singer!
HikariIde Ayaka
This is Hikari by Ayaka Ide, a half-Japanese singer with a Japanese father and American mother.
Her wonderfully striking voice and outstanding singing ability stand out.
The uplifting melody and relatable lyrics make it a song you’ll want to listen to over and over again.