Akiko Yano

Akiko Yano is a world-renowned Japanese musician possessed of a high, light, and delicate soprano; she has released more than 50 albums. Her first five -- Japanese Girl (1975), Iroha Ni Konpeitou (1977), Gohan Ga Dekitayo (1980), Ai Ga Nakucha Ne (1982), and Super Folk Song (1992) -- all charted, establishing her as a skilled pianist, composer, and vocalist across jazz, pop, electro-pop and Japanese folk music. She wrote and recorded the soundtrack for My Neighbors the Yamadas in 1999. 2014's Tobashite Ikuyo became a J-pop classic. Yano teamed with pianist/composer Hiromi on 2017's Alive in Tokyo followed by the solo date Soft Landing. 2020's Asteroid and Butterfly, one of her most eclectic outings, was followed by 2021's illuminating Music Is a Gift. 2023's I Want to See You So Badly was recorded in collaboration with astronaut Soichi Noguchi. In 2024 she re-teamed with Hiromi on Step into Paradise: Alive In Tokyo. Akiko Yano with Will Lee and Chris Parker Live in Tokyo appeared in 2025.