More than you might expect!? A roundup of second-generation singers and musicians who inherited shining talent
When you watch TV, you often see second-generation celebrities—people with famous parents—getting a lot of attention, right?
Having grown up with celebrity parents from a young age, many of them are thriving by making the most of the talent they’ve inherited.
There are actually quite a lot of these second-generation stars in the music industry, too!
Some have singers or musicians as parents, of course, but there are also second-generation musicians whose parents are actors or actresses.
In this article, we’ll be introducing a range of second-generation singers and musicians who have celebrity parents.
Enjoy their talent-filled performances, honed since childhood.
Surprisingly Many!? A Roundup of Second-Generation Singers and Musicians Who Inherited Shining Talent (1–10)
Perfect-Sense DreamerTAKA（ONE OK ROCK ）
The vocalist of ONE OK ROCK, a four-member rock band active not only in Japan but around the world.
Many people likely see him as a true thoroughbred of the music world, being the son of singers Shinichi Mori and Masako Mori.
In fact, before joining ONE OK ROCK, he entered Johnny & Associates at age 13 and even made his CD debut as a member of NEWS, one of the agency’s popular groups, before leaving to focus on his studies—a well-known part of his background.
His vocal ability is highly acclaimed overseas as well, and he is an artist expected to reach even greater heights on bigger stages.
A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru
A female singer-songwriter who debuted at the tender age of 15 and can be called a driving force behind propelling R&B into a mainstream genre in Japan.
Born an artist, she is the daughter of music producer Teruzane Utada and the era-defining singer Keiko Fuji.
Her instantly recognizable voice and songs influenced by a wide range of artists have been embraced by listeners across generations since her debut, achieving explosive popularity especially among younger audiences.
While her early work had a strong R&B flavor, her style has continually evolved—incorporating elements of rock and electronica—yet she continues to release music that remains distinctly Hikaru Utada, a musician who is actively and continuously evolving.
U.S.A.ISSA（DA BUMP）
ISSA, the leader of DA PUMP and the son of Motomu Hentona—a senior professional golfer who also performs as the singer “PAPA Hentona”—made a striking debut in 1997 with the single “Feelin’ Good ~It’s PARADISE~,” armed with dance skills honed at Okinawa Actors School and vocal prowess that doesn’t waver even during intense choreography.
Starting in 1998, he appeared on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen for five consecutive years, a testament to his widely recognized talent.
In 2003, he also pursued solo work with “Justiφ’s,” the theme song for Kamen Rider 555, and in recent years he has been active in musical theater.
With musical talent inherited from his father and overwhelming performance ability, we can’t wait to see him continue to energize Japan’s entertainment scene!
JupiterHirahara Ayaka
A highly skilled female singer who grew up in a musical family: her father is multi-reed player Makoto Hirahara, and her grandfather was also a trumpet player.
She originally aspired to be a saxophonist and has an unusual background, majoring in jazz saxophone at a music university.
She debuted in 2003 with the single “Jupiter,” based on Holst’s suite The Planets, and quickly drew attention for her rich, resonant voice.
The song was featured in the TV drama Kinpachi-sensei (Class 3-B, Mr.
Kinpachi) and has become a beloved classic across generations.
She received the New Artist Award at the Japan Record Awards, and in 2014 expanded her expressive range by appearing in the musical Love Never Dies.
Recommended for those who want to savor a moving voice backed by solid technique.
SoupFujihara Sakura
Sakura Fujiwara, who played the heroine in the Monday night drama “Love Song” and captivated audiences with her smoky singing voice.
Did you know she’s actually a second-generation musician? Her father is Koji Fujiwara, a bassist who has also performed with Small Circle of Friends.
Sakura made her major debut in 2015 with the mini-album “à la carte,” and the following year, alongside her drama appearance, her single “Soup” became a big hit.
Her expressive power is well recognized, as shown by her winning the Newcomer Award at the Confidence Award Drama Prize.
It’s said she began writing songs after receiving a classical guitar from her father at age 10, so her musical talent can truly be called a paternal inheritance.
She’s an artist we’d love fans of rich, rootsy music—like blues and country—to hear.
Where the Lilies BloomKourya Kenji (Dragon Ash)
The vocalist of Dragon Ash, a band that has reigned at the top ever since it whipped up a storm in the rock scene at their debut with the then-little-known genre of rap-rock in Japan.
Although he is the son of actor Ikko Furuya, he hid his real name because he didn’t want to rely on his father’s fame, and he and his band carved out their own path.
He also writes lyrics and composes for the band, and with his ever-evolving musicality, he is one of the artists leading Japan’s rock scene.
cherry blossomMoriyama Naotaro
A singer-songwriter whose mother is the renowned vocalist Ryoko Moriyama, famous for hits like “Nada Sousou” and “Sugarcane Field.” Beyond his catchy melodies, his uniquely angled lyrics are a major draw.
His second single, “Sakura (Dokusho),” released the year after his major-label debut, became a huge hit, earning him his first appearance on the year-end Kohaku Uta Gassen and showcasing his talent from the very start.
He has a wide circle of acquaintances and is active across fields—for instance, forming a unit with Show Ayanokoji of the rock band Kishidan to make a CD debut in 2015, and frequently appearing on variety shows with comedian Bakarhythm.