5 rising stars from Japan you need to keep an eye on

Tokyo’s club scene has always moved through small rooms, roaming party crews and familiar faces, but every few years someone comes through who makes the whole circuit feel newly charged. ECEC is one of them. Born in Fukuoka in 2003, he moved to the capital to study fashion at Bunka Fashion College and quickly became impossible to miss. His sets jump through club edits, EDM, baile funk and whatever else fits his vibe, backed by the kind of performance presence that turns a DJ booth into a stage. Also a model, designer and self-declared ‘future’, ECEC has played Ultra Japan and parties abroad, and works with fellow designer-DJ Iori Yamaki on their deck-spinning duo and T-shirt brand ADHD.

Centenarian knife studio Fujii Hamono is a household name among star chefs around the globe and an institution in Osaka’s Sakai, an area long famed for its first-rate blades. And thanks to the workshop’s crack team of up-and-coming knifesmiths, the world’s finest kitchens can count on a steady supply of cutting-edge equipment in the future, too.

Hayato Uemori, at 17 the youngest artisan at Fujii Hamono, says he’s been fascinated by the visual aspect of knives since early childhood. The Nara native decided to turn his passion into a profession after overcoming a serious illness that kept him out of school for years, and is already seeing his commitment pay off. ‘Realising that my craft is improving, little by little, feels awesome,’ he says.

Kairu Matsushita, 25 and born and raised in Sakai, shares the sentiment. ‘There’s nothing like progress to keep you motivated,’ he smiles. Providing an example for his younger colleagues is supervisor Takuya Okuno, 32, who’s working towards earning government certification as a master craftsman – the hallmark of an artisan carrying Japanese traditions into a new era.

Taiga Okubo was captivated by the artistry of Buddhist statues at the age of three and started making his own out of clay at five. Now 23, he’s produced over 300 works and showcased them at numerous exhibitions. ‘[What draws me to] Buddhist statues are how they’re a source of solace and the object of prayers for so many,’ says Okubo, whose works are characterised by their meticulous detail. Having entered the priesthood at 18, he devotes himself to spiritual practice in Kyoto, combining his artistic pursuits with leading temple tours and educating the world on the myriad meanings embedded in Buddhist artworks.

Starting out as the singer of a YMO tribute project at the age of 12, Hana Hope has quickly grown into one of Japan’s most intriguing young voices. Drifting effortlessly between dreamy electronica, alternative pop and atmospheric ballads, the 20-year-old Tokyoite has already collaborated with several major players: British electro-pop duo Honne backed her up on pre-debut indie hit ‘We’ve Come So Far’, and she worked with a star-studded Japanese production crew on the 2025 Pocari Sweat ad smash ‘99 Steps feat Kohjiya & Hana Hope’. Hana made her acting debut in Chie Hayakawa’s Renoir and played sold-out headline shows last year, while 2026 has brought high-profile festival appearances both in Japan and abroad.

Tokyo’s own rap princess broke through with 2024’s ‘Pull Up’, an irresistible earworm that showcased her nonchalant, captivating flow while racking up a cool 1.9 million YouTube views in six months. That smash hit, produced by fellow up-and-comer Lion Melo, set the scene for a deal with US heavyweight Empire Distribution and the March 2026 drop of debut album Get Litty, which features appearances by the likes of 310babii, producer Diego Ave and C.O.S.A. After gracing the stage at April’s Pop Yours, one of Japan’s premier hip-hop festivals, Litty is one to watch in a scene attracting growing international attention.