Akiko Yano

Akiko Yano is a world-renowned Japanese musician possessed of a high, light, and delicate soprano. Her first five albums -- 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 recorded the soundtrack for My Neighbors the Yamadas in 1999. 2014's Tobashite Ikuyo became a J-pop classic. Yano teamed with pianist 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. Akiko Yano with Will Lee and Chris Parker Live in Tokyo appeared in 2025.