Discover Fujii Kaze

Japanese singer Fujii Kaze has become one of the biggest global acts in J-pop today. His journey to global recognition is as fascinating as the singer himself, whose values and way of life are so deeply steeped in his craft.

This article answers commonly asked questions about the singer-songwriter.

Who is Fujii Kaze?

Fujii Kaze is a Japanese singer and songwriter. He developed a passion for music at a young age, posting covers and original compositions on YouTube. His audience on the platform grew, leading to his record label debut in 2019. He rapidly grew in popularity worldwide when one of his songs went viral on TikTok. 

Note: Fujii Kaze’s name is stylized using Japanese naming conventions. (His first name is Kaze and his last name is Fujii.) 

Where is Fujii Kaze from?

Kaze was born and raised in Satosho, a small countryside town in Okayama Prefecture, Japan.

 When reminiscing about his hometown, he fondly recalls the harmonious camaraderie among adults and children, remarking, “All of my memories stem from this town.” He speaks in the Okayama dialect and often incorporates it in his song lyrics.

In his music video for “Tabiji,” Kaze pays homage to his roots by featuring scenes from his hometown—including Mitchum, the local cafe owned by his family.

When was Fujii Kaze born?

Kaze was born on June 14, 1997.

How do you pronounce Fujii Kaze?

In English, Kaze’s name is pronounced “Foo-jee Kah-zeh.”

When did Fujii Kaze begin playing music?

Kaze started his music journey at three years old. Inspired by his father, he learned how to play the piano at a young age. As he got older, his musical horizons expanded rapidly as he delved into a wide range of genres,  from traditional Japanese ballads to mainstream pop songs. He discovered and listened to Western music through YouTube, a platform that would later ignite his music career.

When did Fujii Kaze begin posting videos online?

Kaze began posting videos on YouTube in 2010 when he was in sixth grade. Similar to his listening habits, he would share a diverse array of covers across various musical genres. Learning songs by ear, Kaze infused his unique style and exceptional piano arrangements, adding his artistic flair.

After completing high school, Kaze shifted his focus towards creating and sharing more original songs, hoping to one day perform them live. Utilizing YouTube as his public platform, he began uploading these original compositions. In the summer of 2018, his following rapidly expanded. This surge in popularity ultimately led him to move away from Okayama for the first time, relocating to Tokyo in 2019 to embark on a professional music career.

What languages does Fujii Kaze speak?

Fujii Kaze can speak in Japanese and English.

Kaze began learning English at a young age. His level of English proficiency has often led to speculation about whether he studied abroad or lived outside of Japan before his debut. However, he has only lived in Okayama before his move to Tokyo.

Kaze frequently posts English videos and content, especially as his fanbase expands globally.

What is Fujii Kaze’s debut song?

“Nan-nan” (何なんw) is Fujii Kaze’s debut song. 

Released in November 2019, the song features lyrics in his hometown’s dialect.

The EP was released in January 2020; in Japan’s CD-centric music economy, Kaze opted to release it for digital download.

Check out the music video above, which was filmed during Kaze’s first trip to New York City.

What is Fujii Kaze’s motivation for his music?

I work on music just in order for someone to live a better day. That’s my everything. That’s all I need to live on.

Fujii Kaze

Fujii Kaze’s primary goal and motivation in creating music revolve around a profound, spiritual love, using his musical talents as a tool to facilitate others in finding their happiness. In a news feature, he expresses, “I work on music just in order for someone to live a better day. That’s my everything. That’s all I need to live on.”

This ethos of using music as a positive force stems from his upbringing. Kaze was deeply influenced by his father, who instilled these values in him from a young age. Kaze actively practices these core values in his daily life, emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself.

In one interview, he explains, “I strive to avoid falsehoods, both within myself and with others. My goal is to remain authentic, and to continuously refine that authenticity, every single day.”

How did Fujii Kaze gain recognition in Japan?

Kaze gained popularity in Japan following the release of his first album, titled “HELP EVER HURT NEVER.” Released in May 2020, the album’s title comes from a saying his father often said in Japanese, “not to hurt anyone but just help,” a message that became even more relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a news segment, Kaze shared, “I feel like every precious thing is pulled together into this phrase.”

This album swiftly rose to the top of Billboard Japan’s Hot Album chart and Oricon’s weekly digital album ranking, bringing recognition to Kaze’s name in the Japanese music industry.

His performances at Japan’s annual New Year’s music show,  Kohaku Utagassen, also helped him become known to audiences outside of the digital music scene. At the 72nd show, his surprise appearance from the main performance stage, which even shocked the show hosts, became a major topic of discussion.

Globally, Kaze became popular through his hit song, “Shinunoga E-Wa” (死ぬのがいいわ).

It all began in July 2022, when a TikTok user from Thailand posted an animated video featuring Fujii Kaze’s song in the background. This sparked a TikTok trend, which boosted the song’s popularity to the top of Spotify’s viral chart in the country.

The success didn’t stop in Thailand. Eventually, the song ranked in Spotify’s Daily Viral Chart across 74 countries—and reached the #1 spot in 23 of them. By November 2022, his monthly listeners on Spotify exceeded 10 million, marking him as the first Japanese artist to achieve this milestone.

Moreover, “Shinunoga E-Wa” topped Spotify’s annual ranking for 2022 and 2023 as the most-played song by a domestic artist overseas. The song has been listened to more frequently overseas than in Japan, with the highest number of streams from the United States (followed by India, and Japan in the third spot).

The massive success of this song led Kaze to become a worldwide figure in today’s J-pop scene. 

What makes Fujii Kaze unique?

Fans have cited a plethora of reasons for what drew them to Fujii Kaze. These are just a few of the many commonly cited reasons.

Ethos

I want to keep creating music with love that can spread some positivity and make people feel better.

Fujii Kaze

Kaze’s values are deeply ingrained in his songs. In his YouTube feature, he shares, “I want to keep creating music with love that can spread some positivity and make people feel better.” This message is consistent throughout his music. While varying in genres and sounds, Kaze’s diverse discography continues to spread positivity and uplift listeners through the ups and downs of their lives. 

Talent

Kaze is a multi-talented artist. From his soulful lyrics to powerful piano-accompanied delivery, every element of Kaze’s artistry is mesmerizing. His vocals have a wide range and volume, allowing him to convey different emotions depending on the song. As noted by one music writer, “You’ll be amazed by his overwhelming performance skills and unpretentious coolness.” Each facet of his musicianship adds to his reputation as an extraordinary artist.

Personality 

Kaze’s remarkable skillset often appears almost otherworldly, yet his personality shines through in a relatable manner—even to international fans.

Leveraging his English proficiency, Kaze expresses his humorous side on social media, sharing memes and funny content that makes him feel like a friend to many. For his international fans, he includes English jokes, further enhancing his likability across cultural boundaries.

Does Fujii Kaze play the piano?

Fujii Kaze began playing the piano at a very young age with his father’s musical influence.

In his Artist on the Rise spotlight, Kaze shared how the piano became a crucial part of his life. He also revealed that his family initially encouraged him to pursue a career as a professional pianist. Their minds changed, however, after they heard Kaze sing publicly for the first time in high school.

Kaze showcases his impressive piano skills through his YouTube videos and live performances. His first Asia and U.S. Tours are named after the instrument itself.

What is Fujii Kaze’s fan name?

While various names have popped up over the years, Fujii Kaze’s global fans frequently refer to themselves as Kazetarians.

The name was coined by international fans, who combined his name with his vegetarianism. Kaze has previously acknowledged this fan name, now featuring it in his Instagram bio.

What is Fujii Kaze’s approach to media appearances?

Rather than making frequent TV, music shows, and media appearances, Kaze often chooses to share more about himself and his music through various social media and digital channels.

He does this to independently present himself to the world; he connects with his fans through sharing videos, posting content, and directly engaging with them through digital mediums.

As with any recommendation list, it’s challenging to pinpoint exact matches given each artist’s individuality. However, here are a few artists you may enjoy listening to:

Hikaru Utada

A long-standing superstar

Perhaps the most commonly referenced artist has been and continues to be Hikaru Utada. Kaze’s growth has reminded many of the talented Utada’s massive rise to fame. Kaze has previously covered Utada’s songs.

jo0ji

An exciting newcomer

This countryside artist is gaining traction as Japan’s next big breakout artist. jo0ji was featured on Spotify’s RADAR: Early Noise 2024, a list of emerging artists in which Kaze was previously included. Experts have noted that jo0ji’s impressive songwriting skills and hometown ties have reminded them of Kaze.

Vaundy

A digital era sensation

Like Kaze, the talented singer-songwriter Vaundy and his genre-defying discography have contributed significantly to the rise of Japan’s digital music scene. While each artist has their unique flair, many are fans of both Kaze and Vaundy’s music.

Has Fujii Kaze performed overseas?

Kaze has performed around the world.

In 2023, Kaze kicked off his first overseas tour in Asia. In an interview about the experience, he shares, “This tour was the first opportunity to meet people whose mother tongue is not the Japanese used in the lyrics. It became an experience that made me aware—more than ever before—of a spiritual connection that transcends language.”

In 2024, he performed in the United States for the first time, with stops in Los Angeles and New York. A video of his piano falling while he (very impressively) continues to sing “Matsuri” at one of his New York shows has, expectedly, been circulating the internet.

Furthermore, Kaze has historically made it easier for international fans to attend his concerts in Japan—a rather uncommon practice in Japan’s current concert ticketing process.

Are there any Fujii Kaze anime songs?

As of now, Kaze does not have any anime openings or endings.

Does Fujii Kaze have a fan club?

Kaze opts not to establish an official fan club, reflecting his desire for an open and unrestricted connection with his audience. This choice allows fans the freedom to engage with his music on their terms, without the constraints of a formal membership. 

Kaze and his staff are active across various online platforms, including an official app. Furthermore, there are many unofficial places to support the artist—learn more below. 

Where can I learn more about Fujii Kaze?

Kaze has a lot of online content dedicated to learning more about him and his songs. He often speaks in English, or uses English closed captions, for his international fans.

In addition to his official accounts, there are many great fan sites, blogs, and social media accounts in different languages. Given his large global following, there are many ways to follow Kaze on his journey. 

Where can I follow Fujii Kaze?

Follow his journey below.

Official website: https://fujiikaze.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@FujiiKaze

X (Formerly Twitter) Staff Account: https://twitter.com/fujiikazestaff

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fujiikaze1997

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fujiikaze/

App: fujiikaze.c-rayon.app

Check out other artist profiles and articles on utatune.

A drawing of Fujii Kaze

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