"Our songs often have spiritual messages. When I write that kind of lyrics, I feel like someone else is teaching me. I don't know why but I can easily write about a feeling or experience that I have never had." - Rheason Love

When you answer a "singing job for video game music" ad in Japan you never know where it might take you. For Nao Otokura aka "Rheason Love" one fateful ad launched a career of singing and songwriting that took her from her home in Osaka all the way to the US. Teamed with the upcoming producer AKI (aka Akinori Ishiyama) the two have released several of their songs on iTunes with hopes and plans for finding a major label for their music in 2010.

So if you're looking for some soulful music with much to say about life and death, come take a listen to the duo who say "I am Japanese and respect American music, so I wanna try in America, I wanna send out my music alongside those I respect. Even if people say I'm reckless, I should sing in a place that I think is the greatest."

"For me, writing a song is like giving birth. Recording is the closing stage of the songwriting process. I feel like I'm almost done with child raising. Finally, I can say goodbye to my son or daughter... Bye-bye my kid. Live strong and cut your way. The world will judge you soon." - Itsuka

They may go by the name "unnatural" but the duo of Itsuka and Mitsu play a country/pop style of music that is entirely down to earth. In 2009 they celebrated their ten year anniversary of making music together with the release of "DIP", a seven track album that includes their signature piece Now!

So if you're in the mood for a Japanese version of country tunes come take a listen and discover the answer to an amorous riddle: "Why did Itsuka and Mitsu have a hard time finding more band members when they were first starting out?" You just might become one of their "unnatuLOVERs" in the process.

"My family has never actually seen me sing or dance in a club, so they're wondering how I actually do it. My friends say "It's not like you, Ayaka. It's not you!" They can't believe it." - Ayaka Ikio

After first seeing the video for Ayaka Ikio's song Get Out we weren't at all surprised by her comment. With a series of popping tracks like Spin Me Round and some rather risqué ones like LoLLyPop she has taken a successful career in modeling into the world of Japanese dance music. Ayaka Ikio released her first two albums in 2009 and toured throughout Japan.

With 2010 now at hand her goals continue to rise with her talent as her music is now available internationally through JapanFiles. For those not living in Japan we also bring good news as she told us "I really, really want to play a gig in America -- please wait for me!"

"Sometimes I like to be a Japanese office lady by wearing a suite with my hair up. Wearing chequered pants with handcuffs and chains makes a girl with Rock style. Wearing a light pink dress with a frill makes Reni Lolita style. Everyday I would like to be different. Cosplay is my life!" - Reni Mimura

Do you think you have to travel all the way to Tokyo to see Japanese costume players doing their thing? Well think again. Reni Mimura brought her show to Manhattan in 2008 and performs on a regular basis with her MoeMoe Dancers. Winner of a Tokyo talent competition in 2006, its not hard to see why she is making a name for herself in the kawaii world of Japan's cuteness culture. Her upcoming shows on January 16 and 24 will be featured in a documentary on NHK (Japan's version of PBS).

So put on your maid outfit, Naruto jumpsuit or whatever floats your boat and come hear the story of the girl who says "My ideal situation is the audience not paying attention to me, but everybody is liberated and dancing themselves. That's when we become one. Reni and audience feeling calm and gentle, and we are one."