【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 Stars (31–40)
trapOkamine Koushu
The bassist of THE BACK HORN.
Their range is incredible, spanning from emotional, extremely intense tracks to delicate, beautiful ballads.
The vivid, chord-based phrases and singing bass lines are really cool.
On the edge (chop)Terasawa Kōichi
Koichi Terasawa is a bassist famous for playing the bass on B’z’s classic hit “Giri Giri Chop.” He’s active as a music school instructor and a studio musician, and he even appeared as a voice actor in Kamen Rider Agito.
On “Giri Giri Chop,” he delivers an ultra-technical performance, so if you’re a confident bassist, be sure to give it a try!
AMBITIOUSIKUZONE
The bassist of Dragon Ash.
In 2012, he passed away from acute heart failure at the young age of 46.
Many fans must have shed tears at the sudden news.
His bass lines, which incorporated a wide range of genres—from rock to punk and reggae—were truly outstanding.
The sight of him playing bass while wielding a lightsaber was one of a kind.
Over DriveOnda Yoshito
The legendary four-piece rock band JUDY AND MARY—affectionately known as Judy Mari—was led by its bassist.
Despite having the most flamboyant look in the group, reflecting his roots in a metal band, he supported the band with playing that formed the backbone of their sound.
Even after the band’s breakup, his precise, commanding playing and skillful solos remain intact, and you can still enjoy his performance with MAZIORA THE BAND, an ’80s Western rock cover band he’s part of.
Eric.WHara Masakazu
Among the many Japanese rock bands and bassists, Masakazu Hara of the band apart stands out with a truly distinctive presence.
He’s a bassist packed with highlights: at live shows, his intensity on stage and even his facial expressions radiate his unique character.
Of course, his technique as a bassist is outstanding, inspiring countless bass players who have looked to his playing and tone-building for reference.
He appears in many instructional materials and videos, so it’s well worth studying him and stealing a few tricks.
[2026] Roundup of Japanese Bassists: From Famous Names to Up-and-Comers (41–50)
Now or neverNaruse Yoshihiro
As you can probably guess from the nickname “Narcho,” he’s the definitive master of the chopper/slap technique.
Countless bassists look up to him, and he’s performed on stage with numerous artists.
He also runs a bass school, which seems to be extremely popular.
Bin SmileHino “JINO” Kenji
When it comes to Japanese bassists who are active on the global stage, many people would probably mention his name.
Kenji “JINO” Hino has taken part in numerous world tours and band projects as a bassist.
For an easy-to-recognize example, he’s well known for composing the singer Kana Nishino’s song “Kimi ni Aitaku Naru Kara.” He’s practically a legend in Japan now, and there are plenty of his performance and collaboration videos on YouTube and elsewhere, so definitely check out his playing.