Artists from Japan
1,189 published artists from Japan, led by Joji, Hikaru Utada and Kenshi Yonezu. The list below shows the 120 most famous.
At a glance
1,189 published artists from Japan; 4,987 studio albums have verified cover art.
- Published artists1 tier 1 · 16 tier 2 · 1,172 tier 3
- 1,189
- Release groups
- 29,492
- Studio albums
- 6,397
- Albums with cover artverified Cover Art Archive
- 4,987
- Timeline events
- 12,640
- Monthly listenerssum across artists
- 125.1M
- Claimed salessum of stored claims; implausible values excluded
- 1,446M
- Average career spanfirst to last dated release
- 20.7 years
- Full biographies
- 643
- Biography words
- 1,243,094
When they started
Debut decade from each artist's earliest dated release. Most debuts fell in the 2000s (312 artists).
| Decade | Artists |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 1 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 13 |
| 1970s | 52 |
| 1980s | 96 |
| 1990s | 211 |
| 2000s | 312 |
| 2010s | 178 |
| 2020s | 25 |
Genres in Japan
Top 8 genres by artist count. J-pop is the most common, with 585 artists.
Covers from Japan
4,987 studio albums have verified cover art. The 12 shown come from the most famous artists.
BADモード
Hikaru Utada · 2022
Liner Voice+ 宇多田ヒカル「BADモード」
Hikaru Utada · 2022
初恋
Hikaru Utada · 2018
Fantôme
Hikaru Utada · 2016
This Is the One
Hikaru Utada · 2009
HEART STATION
Hikaru Utada · 2008
ULTRA BLUE
Hikaru Utada · 2006
Exodus
Hikaru Utada · 2004
DEEP RIVER
Hikaru Utada · 2002
Distance
Hikaru Utada · 2001
First Love
Hikaru Utada · 1999
Precious
Hikaru Utada · 1998
Leaders
Ryuichi Sakamoto has the most release groups (227); Ichirō Fujiyama the longest career (90 years); Hiroko Yakushimaru the most awards (28).
Most prolific
| Artist | release groups |
|---|---|
| Ryuichi Sakamoto | 227 |
| Seiko Matsuda | 200 |
| Akina Nakamori | 199 |
| Joe Hisaishi | 198 |
| Kumi Koda | 198 |
Longest careers
first to last dated release
| Artist | years |
|---|---|
| Ichirō Fujiyama | 90 |
| Hibari Misora | 74 |
| Chiemi Eri | 68 |
| Kyū Sakamoto | 66 |
| Mieko Hirota | 61 |
Most decorated
| Artist | awards |
|---|---|
| Hiroko Yakushimaru | 28 |
| Kyoko Fukada | 21 |
| Jun Matsumoto | 8 |
| Hiroshi Itsuki | 8 |
| Mieko Kawakami | 7 |
Related
Other countries with J-pop artists, and the browse view for Japan.
J-pop in other countries
Most famous artists from Japan
Joji
Japan · Person · born 1992
contemporary R&B, comedy hip-hop, alternative rock, alternative R&B, lo-fi music, trip hop, surreal humour, black comedy, satire, comedy music, satirical music
26.5M listeners · 37 wikis
Hikaru Utada
Japan · Person · born 1983
contemporary R&B, funk, rhythm and blues, dance-pop, synth-pop, J-pop, ethereal wave
6.4M listeners · 44 wikis
Kenshi Yonezu
Japan · Person · born 1991
rock music, J-pop
9.5M listeners · 25 wikis
Yoasobi
Japan · Group · 2019–present
J-pop
7.1M listeners · 28 wikis
Radwimps
Japan · Group · 2001–present
Q3071, indie rock, emo
7.7M listeners · 19 wikis
Ado
Japan · Person · born 2002
J-pop
6.6M listeners · 22 wikis
Marina
Japan · Person · born 1987
J-pop, post-rock
13M listeners · 6 wikis
Teriyaki Boyz
Japan · Group · 2005–present
pop music
6.2M listeners · 22 wikis
Fujii Kaze
Japan · Person · born 1997
rhythm and blues
7.6M listeners · 17 wikis
H-Wonder
Japan · Person · born 1968
J-pop
9.5M listeners · 4 wikis
Ayumi Hamasaki
Japan · Person · born 1978
rock music, pop music, dance music, electronic music, J-pop
61 wikis
King Gnu
Japan · Group · 2013–present
rock music, alternative rock, J-pop
6.3M listeners · 12 wikis
More from Japan
Showing 1–108 of 108 artists
Vaundy
Japan · Person · born 2000
6.1M listeners · 11 wikis · Tier 3
Back Number
Japan · Group · 2004–present
pop rock, J-pop
6.5M listeners · 9 wikis · Tier 3
MAX
Japan · Group · 1995–present
dance-pop, J-pop, Eurobeat
6M listeners · 10 wikis · Tier 3
Yoko Ono
Japan · Person · born 1933
rock music, pop music, dance music, electronic music, alternative rock, new wave, electronica, experimental music, Shibuya-kei, avant-garde, Fluxus, conceptual art, vanguard
98 wikis · Tier 2
B'z
Japan · Group · 1988–present
rock music, hard rock, pop rock
26 wikis · Tier 3
AKB48
Japan · Group · 2005–present
J-pop, bubblegum music
70 wikis · Tier 2
Momoiro Clover Z
Japan · Group · 2008–present
rock music, pop music, contemporary R&B, pop rock, dance-pop, teen pop, J-pop, pop-punk, denpa song
66 wikis · Tier 2
Joe Hisaishi
Japan · Person · born 1950
classical music, film score, minimalist music
54 wikis · Tier 3
Candies
Japan · Group · 1973–1978
rock music, pop music
53 wikis · Tier 2
Ryuichi Sakamoto
Japan · Person · born 1952
electronic music, techno, experimental music
52 wikis · Tier 2
X Japan
Japan · Group · 1982–1997
heavy metal music, progressive metal
51 wikis · Tier 2
Miyoshi Umeki
Japan · Person · born 1929
pop music
45 wikis · Tier 2
Kitarō
Japan · Person · born 1953
ambient music, new age music, electronica
44 wikis · Tier 3
Minatozaki Sana
Japan · Person · born 1996
K-pop
43 wikis · Tier 3
Namie Amuro
Japan · Person · born 1977
pop music, rhythm and blues, dance-pop, electronic dance music, hip-hop, J-pop
42 wikis · Tier 2
Momo
Japan · Person · born 1996
K-pop
40 wikis · Tier 3
Tōru Takemitsu
Japan · Person · born 1930
impressionism in music
39 wikis · Tier 2
Babymetal
Japan · Group · 2010–present
pop music, J-pop, kawaii metal
39 wikis · Tier 3
L'Arc-en-Ciel
Japan · Group · 1991–present
alternative rock, indie rock
38 wikis · Tier 3
Hide
Japan · Person · born 1964
heavy metal music
38 wikis · Tier 2
Kumi Koda
Japan · Person · born 1982
contemporary R&B, electronic dance music, J-pop, Hi-NRG
37 wikis · Tier 3
Chiaki Kuriyama
Japan · Person · born 1984
37 wikis · Tier 3
Takeshi Kaneshiro
Japan · Person · born 1973
mandopop
37 wikis · Tier 3
GACKT
Japan · Person · born 1973
rock music
36 wikis · Tier 3
Yui
Japan · Person · born 1987
pop rock, folk-pop, J-pop
36 wikis · Tier 3
Megumi Hayashibara
Japan · Person · born 1967
pop music
36 wikis · Tier 3
Koji Kondo
Japan · Person · born 1961
jazz, video game music, chiptune
34 wikis · Tier 3
Dir En Grey
Japan · Group · 1997–present
alternative metal, progressive metal, extreme metal
34 wikis · Tier 3
Mayumi Iizuka
Japan · Person · born 1977
J-pop, video game music, anime song
34 wikis · Tier 3
LiSA
Japan · Person · born 1987
rock music, J-pop, anime song, Japanese rock
34 wikis · Tier 3
Kyū Sakamoto
Japan · Person · born 1941
kayōkyoku
34 wikis · Tier 2
Nobuo Uematsu
Japan · Person · born 1959
video game music, orchestra
33 wikis · Tier 3
Mina Myoi
Japan · Person · born 1997
J-pop, K-pop
33 wikis · Tier 3
Miyavi
Japan · Person · born 1981
visual kei
33 wikis · Tier 3
Mariya Takeuchi
Japan · Person · born 1955
soul, disco, funk, J-pop, city pop
32 wikis · Tier 3
Perfume
Japan · Group · 2000–present
synth-pop, electropop, J-pop
32 wikis · Tier 3
Yellow Magic Orchestra
Japan · Group · 1978–present
electro, synth-pop, electronic rock, J-pop, avant-garde music, exotica
32 wikis · Tier 3
Yoko Kanno
Japan · Person · born 1964
pop music, blues, jazz, art rock, classical music, ambient music, J-pop, new age music
32 wikis · Tier 3
the GazettE
Japan · Group · 2002–present
Q3071, alternative metal
32 wikis · Tier 3
Nana Mizuki
Japan · Person · born 1980
rock music, pop rock, dance music, J-pop, anime song
32 wikis · Tier 3
Scandal
Japan · Group · 2006–present
rock music, pop rock, pop-punk
32 wikis · Tier 3
Yuki Kajiura
Japan · Person · born 1965
J-pop
31 wikis · Tier 3
Hibari Misora
Japan · Person · born 1937
jazz, kayōkyoku
31 wikis · Tier 2
Ringo Sheena
Japan · Person · born 1978
experimental rock, funk, jazz, alternative rock, Q3071, big band music, grunge, bossa nova, chamber music, kayōkyoku
30 wikis · Tier 3
Maximum the Hormone
Japan · Group · 1998–present
nu metal, hardcore punk
30 wikis · Tier 3
Mika Nakashima
Japan · Person · born 1983
J-pop
30 wikis · Tier 3
Mieko Kawakami
Japan · Person · born 1976
30 wikis · Tier 3
Miki Matsubara
Japan · Person · born 1959
jazz, J-pop, city pop
30 wikis · Tier 2
Yoshiko Yamaguchi
Japan · Person · born 1920
popular music
30 wikis · Tier 2
Kana Hanazawa
Japan · Person · born 1989
J-pop
29 wikis · Tier 3
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
Japan · Person · born 1993
synth-pop, electropop, house music, J-pop, bubblegum music, glitch, denpa song
29 wikis · Tier 3
Jun Matsumoto
Japan · Person · born 1983
pop music
29 wikis · Tier 3
Tomohisa Yamashita
Japan · Person · born 1985
pop music
29 wikis · Tier 3
Ryōko Hirosue
Japan · Person · born 1980
29 wikis · Tier 3
Aya Ueto
Japan · Person · born 1985
pop music
29 wikis · Tier 3
Masaharu Fukuyama
Japan · Person · born 1969
J-pop
28 wikis · Tier 3
Sakura Miyawaki
Japan · Person · born 1998
J-pop, K-pop
28 wikis · Tier 3
Yui Aragaki
Japan · Person · born 1988
pop music
28 wikis · Tier 3
Kō Shibasaki
Japan · Person · born 1981
J-pop
28 wikis · Tier 3
Kotono Mitsuishi
Japan · Person · born 1967
28 wikis · Tier 3
Reina Tanaka
Japan · Person · born 1989
rock music, J-pop
28 wikis · Tier 3
Seiko Matsuda
Japan · Person · born 1962
pop music
27 wikis · Tier 3
Natsumi Abe
Japan · Person · born 1981
J-pop
27 wikis · Tier 3
Aya Matsuura
Japan · Person · born 1986
J-pop
27 wikis · Tier 3
Yukari Tamura
Japan · Person · born 1976
pop music, J-pop, anime song
27 wikis · Tier 3
Sora Aoi
Japan · Person · born 1983
adult video in Japan
27 wikis · Tier 3
Ai Takahashi
Japan · Person · born 1986
J-pop
27 wikis · Tier 3
Mai Kuraki
Japan · Person · born 1982
pop music
26 wikis · Tier 3
Ai Otsuka
Japan · Person · born 1982
pop music
26 wikis · Tier 3
Nujabes
Japan · Person · born 1974
hip-hop
26 wikis · Tier 3
Maaya Sakamoto
Japan · Person · born 1980
J-pop, anime song
26 wikis · Tier 3
Kyoko Fukada
Japan · Person · born 1982
J-pop
26 wikis · Tier 3
Kalafina
Japan · Group · 2007–2018
pop music, J-pop, baroque pop
26 wikis · Tier 3
Koharu Kusumi
Japan · Person · born 1992
pop music, J-pop
26 wikis · Tier 3
NiziU
Japan · Group · 2020–present
J-pop, K-pop
26 wikis · Tier 3
Haruka Tomatsu
Japan · Person · born 1990
J-pop
26 wikis · Tier 3
Keiko Abe
Japan · Person · born 1937
25 wikis · Tier 3
Matt Heafy
Japan · Person · born 1986
heavy metal music, extreme metal
25 wikis · Tier 3
Hyde
Japan · Person · born 1969
rock music, hard rock, pop rock, alternative rock
25 wikis · Tier 3
AAA
Japan · Group · 2005–2020
electronic music, techno, J-pop, Eurobeat
25 wikis · Tier 3
Maki Goto
Japan · Person · born 1985
J-pop
25 wikis · Tier 3
Aya Hisakawa
Japan · Person · born 1968
pop music
25 wikis · Tier 3
Meiko Kaji
Japan · Person · born 1947
25 wikis · Tier 3
Mamoru Miyano
Japan · Person · born 1983
Japanese rock
25 wikis · Tier 3
Megumi Ogata
Japan · Person · born 1965
pop music, anime song
25 wikis · Tier 3
Erika Sawajiri
Japan · Person · born 1986
pop music
25 wikis · Tier 3
Airi Suzuki
Japan · Person · born 1994
J-pop
25 wikis · Tier 3
Mayu Watanabe
Japan · Person · born 1994
J-pop
25 wikis · Tier 3
Ai Kago
Japan · Person · born 1988
jazz, J-pop
25 wikis · Tier 3
Eri Kitamura
Japan · Person · born 1987
pop music
25 wikis · Tier 3
Risa Niigaki
Japan · Person · born 1988
J-pop
25 wikis · Tier 3
Glay
Japan · Group · 1988–present
rock music
24 wikis · Tier 3
Hiroyuki Sawano
Japan · Person · born 1980
electronic music, anime song
24 wikis · Tier 3
Yukiko Okada
Japan · Person · born 1967
J-pop
24 wikis · Tier 3
Yua Mikami
Japan · Person · born 1993
J-pop, adult video in Japan
24 wikis · Tier 3
Jin Akanishi
Japan · Person · born 1984
pop music
24 wikis · Tier 3
Asian Kung-Fu Generation
Japan · Group · 1996–present
alternative rock, Q3071, indie rock
24 wikis · Tier 3
Aya Hirano
Japan · Person · born 1987
J-pop
24 wikis · Tier 3
Yui Horie
Japan · Person · born 1976
J-pop, anime song
24 wikis · Tier 3
Satoshi Ohno
Japan · Person · born 1980
pop music
24 wikis · Tier 3
Minami Takahashi
Japan · Person · born 1991
J-pop
24 wikis · Tier 3
Fumiko Orikasa
Japan · Person · born 1974
pop music
24 wikis · Tier 3
Masashi Tashiro
Japan · Person · born 1956
doo-wop
24 wikis · Tier 3
Hitomi Yoshizawa
Japan · Person · born 1985
J-pop
24 wikis · Tier 3
Giselle
Japan · Person · born 2000
K-pop
23 wikis · Tier 3
HKT48
Japan · Group · 2011–present
pop music
23 wikis · Tier 3
Kikuko Inoue
Japan · Person · born 1964
J-pop
23 wikis · Tier 3
Atsuko Maeda
Japan · Person · born 1991
J-pop
23 wikis · Tier 3