A roundup of Japanese artists active overseas
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!
Playlist
| A roundup of Japanese artists active overseas | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | PA PA YA!! (feat. F.HERO)BABYMETAL | play_arrow | An idol rock band that’s extremely popular overseas |
| 2 | The BeginningONE OK ROCK | play_arrow | ONE OK ROCK, one of Japan’s most popular and representative rock bands |
| 3 | Glimpse of UsJoji | play_arrow | Popular for its fusion of R&B and electronic |
| 4 | REACHING FOR THE SKYMAN WITH A MISSION | play_arrow | MAN WITH A MISSION's global success |
| 5 | XSRina Sawayama | play_arrow | A talented singer-songwriter from Niigata, based in London |
| 6 | SOMETHING AIN’T RIGHTXG | play_arrow | XG is a girls group attracting attention both in Japan and abroad. |
| 7 | ZenBAND-MAID | play_arrow | A band whose charm lies in the gap between maid outfits and rock |
| 8 | I’d rather die.Fuji Kaze | play_arrow | Fujii Kaze draws attention with his diverse music |
| 9 | WHAT’S MY NAME?MIYAVI | play_arrow | Global success of the Samurai Guitarist |
| 10 | HELLO (from The Tiger’s Apprentice)atarashii gakkou no rīdāzu | play_arrow | A four-member dance unit with a Showa-era vibe |
| 11 | Racing into the NightYOASOBI | play_arrow | YOASOBI, the music duo dominating J-pop |
| 12 | peace signYonezu Kenshi | play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu: a cutting-edge J-pop Vocaloid producer and an internationally popular figure |
| 13 | The Tom and Jerry ShowUehara Hiromi | play_arrow | A Berklee graduate and a jazz pianist active on the world stage |
| 14 | Bling-Bang-Bang-BornCreepy Nuts | play_arrow | Creepy Nuts is an innovative rap duo. |
| 15 | The Revelationcoldrain | play_arrow | A leading figure among Japan’s loud rock bands |
| 16 | Legend: A Journey Through IcelandMono | play_arrow | An international instrumental band that conveys emotions without words |
| 17 | THE FINALDIR EN GREY | play_arrow | An innovative band that fuses metal and folk music |
| 18 | MonolithCROSSFAITH | play_arrow | Innovative metalcore band receives high praise overseas |
| 19 | Excuse me, I’ll be leaving first.hanabie | play_arrow | Hanabie’s major-label debut that established the Harajuku core |
| 20 | Metaphor feat. FeryquitousIchika Nito | play_arrow | The success of Ichika Nito, a guitarist popular on social media |
| 21 | La CampanellaTsujii Nobuyuki | play_arrow | A completely blind genius pianist whose music captivates the world |
| 22 | First LoveUtada Hikaru | play_arrow | Bilingual artist Hikaru Utada active on the world stage |
| 23 | My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS | play_arrow | RADWIMPS is a Japanese rock band gaining attention around the world. |
| 24 | The RumblingSiM | play_arrow | A reggae-punk band gaining attention both in Japan and abroad |
| 25 | Best Part of UsAmPm feat. Michael Kaneko | play_arrow | The dance music duo Ampam appears |
| 26 | Future In The SkySAHAJi | play_arrow | A brother band from Toyama with a UK rock vibe—ones to watch. |
| 27 | FUSION”&”edgePerfume | play_arrow | A three-member idol group taking on the world with technopop |
| 28 | Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSA | play_arrow | Demon Slayer OP singer LiSA is hugely popular overseas |
| 29 | PONPONPONkyarī pamyu pamyu | play_arrow | Captivating the world with cute music and personality |
| 30 | N.E.O.CHAI | play_arrow | CHAI creates a unique sound that fuses a wide range of genres. |
| 31 | NIGHT DANCERimase | play_arrow | The rise of imase and his musical appeal |
| 32 | Your Dreamland4s4ki | play_arrow | The appeal of 4s4ki, known for her diverse music |
| 33 | ObsessedAyumu Imazu | play_arrow | While rooted in R&B and pop, dance… |
| 34 | EdisonSuiyōbi no Campanella | play_arrow | A band gaining attention for their genreless music |
| 35 | ENDLESS RAINX JAPAN | play_arrow | X JAPAN is a globally renowned metal band. |
| 36 | Battle Without Honor Or HumanityHotei Tomoyasu | play_arrow | Guitarist of the rock band BOØWY, versatile across musical genres |
| 37 | Song of VictoryDIAMANTES | play_arrow | The appeal of DIAMANTES, a Latin band from Okinawa |
| 38 | I’m crazy about youUtada Hikaru | play_arrow | Hikaru Utada revolutionizes the music scene with R&B |
| 39 | Love me, love me, love mekikuo | play_arrow | Kikuo’s global success as a Vocaloid producer |
| 40 | Team friendsChiba Yūki | play_arrow | Yūki Chiba, a Fusionist of Music and Art |
| 41 | Main Theme from the NHK Taiga Drama ‘Reach Beyond the Blue Sky’ / NHK Symphony OrchestraHirokami Jun’ichi | play_arrow | Junichi Hirokami's passionate conducting career |
| 42 | ComedyHoshino Gen | play_arrow | Gen Hoshino, a musician active across diverse talents |
| 43 | Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 / Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony OrchestraŌno Kazushi | play_arrow | The activities and music of Kazushi Ono, a conductor Japan is proud of |
| 44 | Matsuzaki Shigeru | play_arrow | Exceptionally skilled singer, the dark-skinned Shigeru Matsuzaki. |
| 45 | GOD_iNumber_i | play_arrow | Number_i is sharing new J-POP music with the world. |
| 46 | Tokyo DriftTeriyaki Boyz | play_arrow | Japanese music group TERIYAKI BOYZ active abroad |
| 47 | Symphonie fantastique / Kanagawa Philharmonic OrchestraOoue Eiji | play_arrow | Eiji Oue is a passionate conductor active across multiple genres. |
| 48 | Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, D 485 / Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony OrchestraKoizumi Kazuhiro | play_arrow | Kazuhiro Koizumi is a conductor who excels at Romantic symphonies. |
| 49 | Variations on a Theme by HaydnNumajiri Ryūsuke | play_arrow | Numaijiri Ryoten, active as a conductor, composer, and pianist |
| 50 | Mahler: Symphony No. 1 / Yomiuri Symphony OrchestraIimori Taijiro | play_arrow | Taijiro Iimori is a master conductor of Wagner. |
| 51 | Wish You Could Come feat. SaticaYaffle | play_arrow | A musician who transcends a wide range of genres |
| 52 | Heralding springyama | play_arrow | Artist yama, garnering attention for their unique musicality |
| 53 | A Single PetalSTEREOPONY | play_arrow | STEREOPONY, a girls' rock band from Okinawa |
| 54 | Leina | play_arrow | A 14-year-old debut singer influenced by Western music |
| 55 | sShe Her Her Hers | play_arrow | A beautiful shoegaze-style band |
| 56 | 1999Hitsuji Bungaku | play_arrow | Music of delicacy and power, Hitsujibungaku |
| 57 | Riotharu nemuri | play_arrow | From Kanagawa, Haru Nemuri is attracting attention with her distinctive music. |

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