Fusion is a music genre that emerged around the 1970s.
Rooted in jazz, it blends elements from other genres such as rock and funk.
Its appeal is hard to sum up in a single sentence: technical guitar solos; groovy bass and drum phrases; expansive, powerful saxophone melodies; and flowing, captivating keyboards, to name just a few.
In this article, we’ll highlight instrumental bands active in Japan among the many fusion groups with such depth and allure.
In fact, Japan is home to a wealth of top-tier players that rival those overseas.
Whether you’re a longtime fusion fan or just getting into the genre, we hope you’ll enjoy this read.
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- Band songs that get the crowd going by genre
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- A bright, Japanese-style song. A roundup of J-POP with a traditional Japanese flair.
- [Western Music] Classic Jazz Fusion Masterpieces: Recommended Albums You Should Listen to at Least Once [2026]
Summary of instrumental fusion bands active in Japan (1–10)
TRUTHT-SQUARE
T-SQUARE is a legendary Japanese fusion band that began activity in 1976.
Their 1991 release “TRUTH” became a major sensation when it was used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Formula 1 Grand Prix.
In particular, Takeshi Itoh, who plays a wind synthesizer—an electronic instrument similar to a wind instrument—drew instant attention for his emotional performances.
Also noteworthy are Hiroshi Banda’s singing, melodic drum phrases.
Since they have a very large number of original albums, starting with a best-of compilation might be a good idea.
Blue WavesDimension
Dimension debuted in 1992, riding the wave of Japan’s fusion boom that followed the 1991 hit of T-SQUARE’s “TRUTH.” They’re a rare instrumental band within Being, the record label known for artists like FIELD OF VIEW and Rina Aiuchi.
Their signature track “ROUND TRIP” has even been used as a theme song for professional baseball broadcasts, so you might have heard it—be sure to check it out!
ASAYAKECASIOPEA-P4
CASIOPEA-P4 is a pioneering presence in the Japanese fusion scene, having debuted in 1977 under the name CASIOPEA.
Centered around leader and main composer Issei Noro, the group originally featured Tetsuo Sakurai on bass, Minoru Mukaiya on keyboards, and Akira Jimbo on drums, though the lineup changed several times thereafter.
Even members who left went on to succeed in other bands or as solo artists, making CASIOPEA-P4 a group that has sent many top-tier players into the world.
They continue to be highly active today, bringing in outstanding musicians and performing energetically!
Heart of the WorldDEZOLVE
The four-piece band DEZOLVE, whose news of welcoming a new member is still fresh, is creating a new musical genre by adding their own interpretation to jazz.
Their intense compositions can feel rock-like, while the bright, high keyboard tones at times resemble EDM.
First, listen to their tracks and experience their one-of-a-kind sound for yourself.
Also, pay attention to each member’s outstanding performance skills.
Watching videos on YouTube and elsewhere will give you an even better sense of how impressive they are.
Space Antyajū ōkoku
Guitarist Hirokuni Korekata, who also shines as a solo artist, is joined by CASIOPEA-P4’s bassist Yoshihiro Naruse in the band Yajyu-Kingdom.
True to their name, they’re known for a beastly powerful sound, and they were key players in energizing the fusion scene of the ’90s.
They also have a strong reputation for their live performances—the comfortable, infectious groove that arises on stage is one of fusion’s big appeals! There are CDs and DVDs featuring Yajyu-Kingdom’s live shows, so check them out if you’re interested.
We got readypiramiddo
Among Japanese fusion bands, they could be considered a relatively recent unit.
Guitarist Yuji Toriyama—known as the composer of the World Heritage theme song “The Song of Life”—drummer Akira Jimbo—well known as a member of Casiopea—and former T-SQUARE keyboardist Hirotaka Izumi released an album in 2005.
All three were music friends from Keio Senior High School.
Perhaps owing to their long experience in fusion, the unit conveys a deep sense of humanity and musicality.
In 2021, Izumi passed away suddenly, and the group is now centered around the remaining two members.
TAKE OFFpurizumu
Based on a predecessor band active around 1970, the group was formed in 1975 by guitarist Akira Wada, bassist Ken Watanabe, keyboardists Daisaku Kume and Koki Ito, and drummer Toru “Rika” Suzuki.
They made their album debut in 1977 after adding guitarist Katsutoshi Morizono.
Their distinctive original compositions gained popularity, making them a well-known unit in Japan’s fusion scene.
Although they continued their activities with multiple lineup changes, the group has been on hiatus since 2018 following Wada’s illness and passing.