About a month ago I came across Japanese singer Anna Tsuchiya through an add on Jpop Asia. I was very surprised to discover that all her songs are sung in English [and quite well I might add] despite the fact that she is a Japanese citizen and is not fluent in the language [she also writes all her lyrics herself]. Her music is excellent, on part with just about anything in the American market, so I recommend checking her out. Her latest single is called “Cocoon”. Some people might also know her for the themes she did for the NANA anime.

Next up is the current number one single on the Oricon charts from Aoyama Thelma, who I daresay has one of the greatest voices I’ve ever heard come out of Japan. A little while back she collaborated with Japanese rapper SOULJA and did the harmony for his song “Koko ni iru yo” ["I'm here"], and now he’s returning the favor, making a song meant to compliment his own. She’s fabulous, and I wish her all the success. She previously put out another little-known single a while back called “ONE WAY”, that should be checked out for something upbeat and fun.