【2026】A Roundup of Japanese Bassists: From Big Names to Rising Stars
When you hear “Japanese bassists,” which players come to mind? The bass is sometimes described as the unsung hero, but it’s the core of a band’s sound, and a great bassist’s groove has the power to move listeners.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected bassists ranging from legendary figures to promising newcomers from the next generation.
Be sure to check them out—you might just discover a talent you didn’t know about!
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[2026] Japanese Bassists Roundup: From Big Names to Rising Talent (21–30)
LightningHinata Hidekazu
A bassist who has played in numerous bands, including the rock band Straightener—formed in 1998—as well as FULLARMOR and Nothing’s Carved In Stone.
Known for his flashy live performances and the most flamboyant outfits among the members, he sometimes stands out even more than the vocalist during shows.
At the same time, he showcases a restrained style on slower songs, using an acoustic bass—making him a bassist with a compellingly wide-ranging approach.
A star-like manEBI
He is the bassist of Unicorn, who achieved a reunion.
His bass playing, adaptable to a wide range of songs, is highly regarded by fellow musicians.
After Unicorn disbanded, he fulfilled his dream of joining ARB, and in the three-piece band MADBEAVERS, he showcases a distinctively different style of playing.
WELCOME TO MY DOG HOUSEHirose Yoichi
The bassist of the four-piece rock band THE YELLOW MONKEY, which reunited in 2016.
Known for his impactful Thunderbird as a trademark, he creates the band’s distinctive groove.
He skillfully weaves into their songs basslines and song structures inspired by tracks from bands that influenced him, making him not just a technically proficient bassist but also a musician with a playful spirit.
He’s the kind of bassist who offers new discoveries with every listen as you notice the different bass approaches he uses in each track.
You Can Do It!Sakurai Tetsuo
An original member of Casiopea, one of Japan’s premier fusion bands.
His versatile slap technique transcends genres and is showcased in jazz, rock, Latin music, and more.
He has had a profound influence on many bassists.
In 2015, with fellow bassist Seiji Kameda as producer and a lineup of star guest musicians, he released the 35th-anniversary album “Nothin’ but the Bass.” Hailed as a “dream collaboration,” it created a buzz across the industry.
Wax MuseumZenon Ishikawa
Mr.
Xenon Ishikawa, a member of Seikima-II, is memorable for playing bass while wearing horns.
In the human world, he performs under the name Shunsuke Ishikawa.
He attended Tama Art University, which is also known for producing Yumi Matsutoya, and he is knowledgeable not only in music but also in the arts such as painting and photography.
He once held the position of former Director of the Demon World’s Cultural Bureau.
As is often the case with bassists, he has a calm and taciturn personality, which has earned him the nickname “Oshō” (the Monk).
In 2017, he also released an instructional video featuring his human-world makeup.
Guernicahito toki
A rock band bassist from Gifu Prefecture, known as a member of Kuroyume, who are said to have created the Nagoya-kei movement during their indie days.
When he first started forming bands, he played drums, later switching to guitar, making him a musician well-versed in instruments beyond the bass.
With a commanding pick-driven sound and bass lines that create a compelling groove while mainly sticking to root notes, he doesn’t rely on flashy bass solos.
Instead, he supports the band with the most essential approach required of a bassist.
ScoopJIRO
The bassist of GLAY, a rock band from Hakodate that has created numerous legends, including pulling off one of the world’s largest concerts with an audience of 200,000.
Since their debut, he has enjoyed exceptional popularity among female fans, and his keen fashion sense is likely one reason the band appeals to such a broad audience.
Though he plays with sweeping arm movements reminiscent of a guitarist, he delivers elegant phrases that never disrupt the flow of the music—a bassist whose dynamic style is balanced with delicate precision.