Japanese Pop: A Roundup of Popular Male Singer-Songwriters
They can write songs, they sing well, and some can even draw, excel at sports, or take on acting roles… when you think about it, singer-songwriters are amazing, aren’t they?
They feel like the ultimate multi-players.
In this article, I’d like to introduce some popular male singer-songwriters from the Japanese music scene.
From veterans who’ve been active for years to artists who’ve made headlines recently, we’re covering a wide range of generations.
Please read to the end!
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[Japanese Music] Popular Male Singer-Songwriters Roundup (11–20)
Beautiful JourneyHirai Dai
Hirai Dai is a singer-songwriter known for his surf sound that perfectly suits the sea.
He gained attention when “ONE LOVE ~Pacific Harmony~” was selected as the official image song for Honolulu Festival, the largest event in Hawaii.
He made his major debut in 2013, and his 2016 album “Life is Beautiful” reached No.
1 on the iTunes overall chart.
In 2019, “THE GIFT” was chosen as the theme song for the film Doraemon: Nobita’s Chronicle of the Moon Exploration.
Storysakaiyuu
Yu Sakai’s voice—hailed as a “silky voice that invites tears”—resonates deeply with the heart.
A master keyboard-vocalist, he crafts one-of-a-kind pop grounded in R&B and soul, enriched by a wide musical palette.
He even moved to the U.S.
alone at 22 and taught himself piano.
After making his major-label debut in October 2009 with the single “Story,” he drew major attention, including being selected for power play on 43 FM stations nationwide.
You might also know him from the opening theme of the anime Nodame Cantabile Finale and for singing “Happy☆Boogie,” the theme song of the latter half of the 2023 NHK morning drama series.
His ever-expanding activities—such as collaborations with world-renowned musicians and an appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts—are equally compelling.
He’s an artist you should definitely check out if you want to immerse yourself in soulful piano and vocals.
ciderHata Motohiro
The artist Hata Motohiro is known for his expansive vocals and refreshing sound.
He made his major debut in 2006 with the single “Synchro,” breaking the record for the most nationwide FM power plays.
He handled the theme song “Himawari no Yakusoku” for the 2014 film STAND BY ME Doraemon, which reached No.
10 on the Oricon singles chart and went on to become a long-running hit, staying on the charts for 64 weeks.
Released in 2022, the single “Cider” stands out from his previous acoustic guitar–driven style, featuring a sound built primarily around electric piano.
A melody instead of a bouquetShimizu Shota
When it comes to singer-songwriters who represent the Japanese R&B scene, Shota Shimizu is the name that comes to mind.
He’s a true talent with solid vocal ability and rhythm, and has even performed at the Apollo Theater in New York, a sacred ground for Black music.
His debut single “HOME” ranked fifth on the Oricon chart, and his 2010 album “Journey” reached number one on the album chart.
He has also collaborated on tracks with many artists, including Thelma Aoyama and Miliyah Kato.
One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi
Masayoshi Yamazaki is a singer-songwriter who is also active as an actor in films and TV dramas.
He won support from listeners with his unique sound that incorporates 1960s blues rock.
He’s also known for playing a wide range of instruments, including guitar and piano.
His warm voice, which seems to gently stay by your side, is another of his charms.
His signature song, “One more time, One more chance,” is loved by people of all ages and has been covered by many artists.
He is an artist who gained popularity with songs that offer a moment of peace to the heart.
Surfing JohnnyKuwata Keisuke
Keisuke Kuwata is best known as the lead vocalist of Southern All Stars and also works as a solo artist.
With the band, he wrote and composed many classic songs such as “TSUNAMI” and “Manatsu no Kajitsu” (A Midsummer Fruit).
Since his solo debut in 1987, he has also produced numerous hits under his own name, including the summer-themed “Naminori Johnny,” the winter classic “Shiroi Koibito-tachi,” and “Ashita Hareru Kana,” the theme song for the TV drama Operation Love.
In 2014, he received the Medal with Purple Ribbon, and he is regarded as one of Japan’s leading artists.
[J-Pop] Popular Male Singer-Songwriters (21–30)
The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro
The artist who is the son of Ryoko Moriyama and is active as a singer-songwriter himself is Naotaro Moriyama.
His second single after his major debut, “Sakura,” became a big hit and brought him widespread attention.
He has since released songs such as “Natsu no Owari” and “Ikitoshi Ikieru Mono e.” He has written songs for many artists, and “Aldebaran,” the theme song for the 2021 NHK morning drama Come Come Everybody, is one of them.
He is also active as an actor, appearing in the second season of the drama HERO starring Takuya Kimura and in the 2020 morning drama Yell.