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.
- Male singers with great voices: a collection of cool, seductive vocals
- Cool Japanese female vocal
- Masterpieces by male artists known for their captivating high notes. Recommended popular songs.
- A roundup of enka singers who have been active since childhood
- Funny songs recommended for kids: Japanese music that will make you laugh without even trying when you listen.
- [Enka] Songs that are easy to sing even for those who are tone-deaf [Female singers edition]
- “All About Youth” Popular Cover Song
- Perfect for karaoke song choices too! Hype tracks recommended for Gen Z.
- Revival hits driven by social media! Classic Showa-era songs popular with Gen Z
- Classic and popular songs sung by actors
- [Emotional Song] A classic wishing for a child’s growth — a love song dedicated to my child
- Gen Z listeners, take note! Great songs that color the J-pop scene
- Easy-to-sing songs recommended for teenage boys with low voices | Songs you can sing even during voice change!
Surprisingly many!? A roundup of second-generation singers and musicians who inherited shining talent (21–30)
Blue sky blueNEW!Kimoto Shinnosuke
Shinnosuke Kimoto, who draws attention as the eldest son of national star Hideki Saijo, is a singer and drummer who wields soulful vocals and drum skills honed since childhood.
Although he only recently began his full-fledged career, he has already showcased his talent, being selected among Japan’s TOP 7 representatives on the audition show “Active Song King JAPAN.” His drumming ability, which he started developing at age five, is the real deal; a famous, astonishing episode recounts how he performed on his father’s stage at just ten years old, taking part in the classic “Gyarandou.” His musicality—rooted in a love for vintage rock and R&B—gives the impression of a true thoroughbred.
While pursuing the path paved by his great father, he’s striving to establish his own style, a journey that will make not only music fans want to cheer him on.
Goodbye, see you again in the next life.NEW!Sakurai Kaito (Innā Jānī)
Kaito Sakurai, an actor and the son of Mr.Children’s Kazutoshi Sakurai.
He began performing in 2019 as Kaito, the drummer of the rock band Inner Journey, gaining a following—especially among young people—with a blend of J-pop and alternative sounds.
He became known for songs such as “Goodbye, See You in the Next Life,” released in 2020, and the band’s first solo headlining show sold out immediately, reflecting their popularity.
Balancing acting and band activities grew difficult, and though it was met with regret, he left the band in October 2023.
Still, his musical sensibilities are the real deal: solid technique as a drummer and expressive power as an actor.
While following in the footsteps of his legendary father, he is forging his own path—and we can’t take our eyes off what he does next.
premonitionNEW!Mizushima Rin
Rin Mizushima, whose mother is Yuki Saito—an iconic idol and actress from the Showa-era pop scene—began her acting career with a 2021 drama appearance and made her singing debut in September 2022 with the digital single “Yokan” (Premonition).
She also showcased her creative talents by directing the music video herself.
In addition to appearing in the NHK morning drama “Chimudondon,” she was cast as the lead in the musical “Cinderella Story,” where her collaboration with her mother—who wrote the lyrics—also drew attention.
Since then, she has continued to captivate listeners with her clear, airy voice, releasing tracks such as “Sakura no Kakera.” She’s an artist highly recommended for those who want to enjoy both acting and music.
HistoriaNEW!Kaneko Nobuaki (RIZE)
An artist who commands a unique presence both as the drummer of the mixture rock band RIZE and as an actor.
Nobuaki Kaneko was born into a bona fide musical family: his father is the legendary drummer Johnny Yoshinaga and his mother is Mari Kaneko.
Making his major-label debut in 2000 with the single “Kaminari,” he swiftly took the rock scene by storm with his overwhelming groove.
As an actor, he has been active since 1994, and his performance in a 2013 release earned him the Japan Academy Film Prize for Newcomer of the Year—proof of his remarkable talent.
He also leads his own project, RED ORCA, showcasing expressive power you won’t want to miss.
Recommended not only for rock fans but for anyone looking to experience multifaceted talent.
Wavering WorldKuwata Hirotaka
Keisuke Kuwata and Yuko Hara’s son, Yuki Kuwata, served as the vocalist for the rock band READ ALOUD and has since been active as a studio musician.
His impressive high-level musicianship and powerful vocals convey his talent.
Ruby RingTerao Akira
Atsushi Terao, the son of actor Jukichi Uno, is active as an actor and has also released numerous hit songs as a singer-songwriter.
He was a member of the Group Sounds bands The Savage and The White Kicks.
For the First Time in ForeverKanda Sayaka
A female artist who is active across a wide range of fields thanks to her multifaceted talents, with actor Masaki Kanda as her father and top idol Seiko Matsuda as her mother.
She showcases her abilities as a singer-songwriter, voice actress, and narrator, and even worked as a creator from a young age—at around 13, under the pen name ALICE, she wrote the lyrics for her mother Seiko Matsuda’s song “Koi wa Itsudemo 95-ten” (Love Is Always 95 Points).
In 2020, she also launched the musical unit ALICes with female singer Maon Kurosaki, and even greater achievements are anticipated in the future.
