Ever since her debut in December 1999 with the million-selling single "Love, Day After Tomorrow", female vocalist Mai Kuraki has been one of J-pop’s most popular artists. Inspired by singers such as Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, Kuraki began making demo tapes while still in middle school…. ...

Jazz-pop diva Mika Nakashima has been one the music industry’s most successful artists since the turn of the century. Appealing as both a pop singer and a "serious artist", Nakashima’s smoky, emotive voice and sophisticated style belie her youth. Born in 1983, Nakashima was committed to becoming… ...

Formed by guitar prodigy Shigeo Naka, The Surf Coasters play an updated style of surf music that draws from obvious sources including The Ventures, Dick Dale and Link Wray, as well as more varied, eclectic influences. Naka got his start in music when he released the single "Let’s Go Tube"… ...

Back in the mid-’80s the J-pop scene experienced what was known as the "band boom." This trend was triggered by a late-night TV show called Ikaten, which featured live performances by amateur bands eager to make it big. Most of the bands that appeared on Ikaten have faded into obscurity, but… ...

A tried-and-true J-pop promotional tactic is to get some overseas exposure for an artist and then tell the often credulous Japanese media that he or she has really made a splash in the U.S., Britain, Botswana or wherever. That’s what Avex did with Kumi Koda back in 2000. The label decided to license… ...

Minmi is a good example of how many Japanese musicians are confidently adapting and incorporating musical influences from all over the world into their music, which in her case is a blend of R&B and reggae. Another key influence in Minmi’s music is hip-hop, which she says she’s been listening since… ...

With her soulful voice and deep understanding of jazz from both vocal and instrumental perspectives, Monday Michiru has been one of the most visible acid jazz, soul-jazz, and nu-jazz artists in Japan since the early 1990s. Born in Tokyo in 1963 to jazz pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi and jazz saxman Charlie… ...

During its short existence, Ajico established itself as one of the best groups on of the Japanese music scene. The band got together in 2000 when Kenichi Asai, vocalist-guitarist with Kansai-based rock trio Blankey Jet City, suggested to female vocalist Ua that they collaborate on a new musical project…. ...

Generally viewed as "the next Ayumi Hamasaki" for Avex, Osaka-born Ai Otsuka has strung together an impressive series of hits in a short period of time, making her a strong contender not only for Avex’s next cash cow, but for the role of J-Pop’s next queen. Otsuka began composing music and… ...

Few Japanese jazz pianists are as strikingly original, either as composers or performers, as Hiromi Uehara, who performs under her given name only. Hiromi has an instantly recognizable style, featuring a dense flurry of notes and chords that recalls Art Tatumwho, not surprisingly, is one of her idols…. ...