[2025] Japanese Female Artists: Trending Singers & Idols

Pop music writer/editorKEI
A style that keeps updating my favorites while loving mainstream and hit songs. I have experience writing articles for outlets like Utaten. Since I discovered music as a student, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. 2000s J-POP and 2010s K-POP were my youth, and I’m also loosely into jazz and R&B. I enjoy good music across genres with a “good is good” mindset. Thanks to my past work environment (and its influence), I listened to a lot of classic rock and kayōkyoku, which may have broadened my tastes. At RAG MUSIC, I mainly cover K-POP. I focus on reviews that emphasize feelings people can relate to, and on editing aligned with local pride and hit potential. Thank you!
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.

What kind of music do you usually listen to?

There are many genres in Japanese music, and I’m sure some of you enjoy listening to songs by female artists.

These days, thanks to subscription services, you can instantly listen to plenty of songs—including any that catch your interest!

In this article, we’ll introduce female artists from Japan, both new and old, including trending singers and idols.

If you find a vocalist you like, be sure to check out their other songs too!

[2025] Japanese female artists: trending singers & idols (111–120)

SatisfactionSCANDAL

SCANDAL- Satisfaction

Satisfaction SCANDAL

SCANDAL is a four-member girls’ band from Osaka.

Since forming in 2006, they’ve been highly active and made their major-label debut in 2008.

Their songs are characterized by a rock sound infused with pop elements.

In 2012, they successfully headlined the Nippon Budokan for the first time, and in 2019 they launched their own label, “her,” steadily expanding their activities.

They continue to perform energetically overseas and have kept the same lineup for so long it’s Guinness World Record-worthy, achieving unprecedented success as a women’s rock band.

In addition to their strong songwriting, with all members composing and writing lyrics, their powerful live performances are a major highlight.

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[2025] Japanese female artists: Buzz-worthy singers & idols (121–130)

Lila LilhaKaela Kimura

Kaela Kimura “Rirura Riruha” [short ver.]

Rirura Riruha Kaela Kimura

Kaela Kimura is a singer-songwriter born in 1984.

She is active across a wide range of genres, from J-pop to pop punk.

She made her major-label debut in 2004, and the following year her single “Rirura Riruha” reached No.

3 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

In 2007, she earned her first No.

1 on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart, steadily building her career.

With her model-born glamorous looks and a powerful yet cute singing voice, she’s highly appealing.

In 2006, she also performed as a member of the revived Sadistic Mika Band, showcasing her diverse musicality.

Kimura’s songs, marked by a distinctive vocal timbre and a unique artistic world, are recommended for anyone seeking a fresh musical discovery.

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Got me goodEmiko Suzuki

Emiko Suzuki / Got me good [Official Music Video]

Got me good Emiko Suzuki

Emiko Suzuki, who’s gaining attention as a new-generation gospel singer, is also a must-check.

She began performing at a young age as a member of a family gospel group.

At seven, she tried her hand at writing and composing her first song, and continued vocal training thereafter.

At sixteen, she won a national gospel competition.

Since then, she has steadily built her career with appearances on music programs and a major-label debut.

Her dynamic yet delicate vocals will captivate not only gospel fans but anyone who listens.

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sparrowTohru

RADWIMPS – Suzume feat. Toaka [Official Lyric Video]

Suzume Toaka

Tomei is drawing attention for her clear, transparent singing voice and diverse musicality.

Born in 2003, she is a current university student and works as a singer-songwriter.

Her popularity took off after posting videos on TikTok, and in July 2023 she made her major-label debut with the digital single “Haikaburi.” Her shape-shifting vocals and distinctive taste in song selection are captivating, and she skillfully performs across genres including Vocaloid, Japanese rock, Showa-era kayōkyoku, and anime songs.

In spring 2022, she took part in a film vocal audition, where her talent was recognized by director Makoto Shinkai and RADWIMPS’s Yojiro Noda, attesting to her proven ability.

She’s an artist recommended for anyone interested in a wide range of musical genres.

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crescent moonAyaka

Ayaka – Crescent Moon

Ayaka Mikazuki

A singer-songwriter who, even before their official debut, held solo shows mainly at live venues in the Shibuya area and has released numerous hit songs thanks to their extraordinary potential.

The gospel music performed in the film Sister Act, which they saw as a child, became the root of their current vocal style; you can hear that influence in a voice that feels delicate within its power.

While their chord progressions and arrangements show a clear influence from Western music, their lyrics vividly evoke scenes, enabling them to continually create highly refined J-pop.

They are an artist widely supported by listeners across a broad spectrum.

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I want to be your lover.Mao Abe

Mao Abe – I Want to Be Your Lover [Official Music Video]

I want to be your lover — Mao Abe

A song about unrequited love, sung with a clear, high-toned voice, that captures the struggle between wanting to take a step forward and the fear that holds you back—the bittersweet feelings of love.

She wields her voice with complete freedom; there are even tracks sung solely in a low register that you’d never expect from this piece.

Listening through the album, some listeners will be surprised by the variety of her expressive styles.

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Breathe in, breathe in here, keep on living.Yui Nishio

Yui Nishio “I Breathe In, Breathe Here, Keep Living” Official Music Video — TV Anime “Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside” Opening Theme

Breathe in, breathe here, live and go, yui nishio.

Let me introduce Yuinishio, an artist who captivates fans with her gentle singing voice.

She is a singer-songwriter who began her career in 2016.

After receiving high praise in numerous auditions and contests, she made her long-awaited major debut in 2022.

She also drew attention for being selected for the LINE NEWS AWARDS 2022 Entertainment Division NEXT NEWS Award, which highlights artists expected to break out the following year.

Why not start by checking out her first album?

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