A roundup of Japanese artists active overseas

DancerFukkun:)Tatsuki Fukuda
Primarily active in Tokyo, I have experience as a backup dancer for artists, a music video dancer, and a commercial dancer. I continue to work as a dancer while also engaging in article production. After discovering Michael Jackson in junior high school, I began dancing in my second year of high school. Since starting dance, in addition to the J-Pop and Japanese rock I had been listening to, I began exploring Western R&B, rap, alternative music, and other tracks commonly used for dance. In elementary school, I spent three years in a choir, and because I love singing, I often go to karaoke for fun. These days, I enjoy a wide range of music, from Japanese rock and rap to K-pop.
POPS writer/editorKEI
Since discovering music during my school days, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. I have experience writing articles for sites like Utaten. 2000s J-pop and 2010s K-pop were especially the soundtrack of my youth. With the mindset that “good is good,” I enjoy music across genres. Thanks to past work environments and their influence, I was exposed to lots of classic rock and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs), which may have broadened the scope of what I love. At RAG MUSIC, I currently focus on K-pop and J-pop. I strive to edit with a feel for the scene and an eye for hit potential.

These days, thanks in part to subscriptions, Japanese music is becoming much easier to enjoy abroad, and its popularity has grown even more!

In this article, we’ll introduce artists who could be called Japan’s stars, attracting fans around the world.

There are artists from a wide range of genres, and you can also feel the impact of hits sparked by anime and social media.

You’ll also notice that singers who are supported overseas sometimes have characteristics that differ from Japan’s mainstream trending artists.

Be sure to listen while enjoying new songs and discoveries!

A roundup of Japanese artists active overseas (51–60)

Riotharu nemuri

HARU NEMURI “Riot” (Official Music Video)

Riotharu nemuri

Haru Nemuri, a singer-songwriter and poetry rapper from Kanagawa Prefecture, captivates many music fans with her uniqueness.

She draws attention for her genre-defying sound that spans from J-pop to rock and art rock.

Since her debut in October 2016, she has shaken up the music scene with a distinctive style that fuses poetry reading, rap, and hardcore.

In March 2021, she performed at SXSW 2021 and was selected as one of the New York Times’ 15 Best Acts.

Her 2018 album Haru to Shura ranked 30th worldwide—the highest position ever for a Japanese artist—on an overseas music review site.

She’s an artist recommended for anyone who wants to be captivated by distinctive musicality and energetic performances.

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In conclusion

Looking back, there are musicians from a wide variety of genres, aren’t there? I’ve heard that many people overseas get into J-pop through anime.

Among them, I felt that the overwhelming energy of passionate artists like BABYMETAL and ONE OK ROCK is something worth highlighting.

They’re all incredible artists taking on challenges overseas, so be sure to check them out!