Japan has produced some incredible bass players, from insane jazz technicians to wild punk rockers. As a mid bassist myself, these are the players I keep coming back to while practicing and trying to get better.
Here are my picks for five of the best bassists shaping the music scene today.
1. Masanori Seki
My all time favorite bassist is Masanori Seki. He’s tall, bald, and the super cool leader of Japan’s greatest funk/hip-hop/soul band (imho), Kroi.
Fans tease him that he is secretly Yasu from Nana, and it’s a running joke at this point. He does have that cool guy charisma though.
Seki didn’t start playing the bass until later in life, around the time he was graduating college.
He wore sunglasses and a hat to early Kroi gigs because he was a salaryman two timing as a rockstar at night.
He doesn’t have to hide his identity anymore, but the sunglasses stuck – he said it is more comfortable to play that way.
His funky basslines are central to the song, and the way he is so in sync with the drummer is incredibly entrancing. To me, he is the definition of “locking in”.
Kroi is the definition of tight.
They have several live sessions uploaded to Youtube, and each member’s playing (especially the rhythm section) is the coolest thing ever to watch.
Here is one of my favorite songs, and one I am learning right now!
2. Nishizuki Leon – Solo (Natori, Eve)
If you have listed to J-pop before, chances are you have heard a Nishizuki bassline. And, Leon was only in high school when he wrote and recorded all those hit songs!
He is best known for playing groovy slap riffs for major artists like Natori, Akasaki, and Eve.
Give him any melody and he’ll lay a perfectly cracked J-pop bassline over it.
Online, he rose to fame for his dynamic slapping shorts that he filmed with his friends in high school.
He slaps like a monster while his friend iconically screams in the background.
I wish I had a hype man like that. </3
No screaming friend in this one, but check him out playing Just the Two of Us solo with a loop.
Nishizuki just graduated high school with lots more opportunities to make some grooving J-pop in the future. He is a gigging bassist for Natori and Akasaki now, and is starting a solo career.
Here is one of his newest songs with Eve. You can really hear how he defines the signature J-pop sound here.
3. Kazuki Arai – King Gnu
Kazuki Arai is the bassist of King Gnu. King Gnu have been one of the coolest bands in the Japanese music scene for years.
They do sex, drugs, rock and roll but in a hyper artistic, jazzy, avant garde type of way. You might know them for their song SPECIALZ (JJK) or as the collaborators on Kick Back (Chainsaw Man).
Not only are they cool for the guys, but they have a wild side that captures the hearts of the ladies, too. But, back to the bassist.
Some of the most identifiable basslines of the 2010s came from Arai.
He likes to use lots of different effects throughout his basslines, especially some sick use of the octave pedal, to give his basslines plenty of stank and lots of movement.
He was chosen as the bassist for NewJean’s Tokyo Dome concert, check 2:00 to see Arai fit right in with the group.
There are two vocalists in the King Gnu project, and he adjusts his bass tone to both of their unique sounds (yes, both singers are guys… I know, Iguchi is often mistaken for a girl)
4. Hsu – Suchmos
Hsu is the bassist of Suchmos. If you like R&B or City Pop, you should really give them a listen because you are missing out on some of the best modern soul sounds Japan has to offer!
Hsu was a legend, but suddenly passed away at the peak of his fame.
Suchmos has an unbeatable groove thanks to Hsu. Rest in peace, big man.
His legacy is still carried on by the other members – Suchmos just returned to touring in 2025. The band and Hsu’s bass playing are a huge reason why so many people in Japan still love soul and funk even in the big 2026.
5. Shinya Abiko – Ging Nang Boyz
Straying from the group’s groovy and funk filled theme so far, we have punk rock bassist Abiko Shinya.
Some of the greatest bass runs and fills came from this dude’s insane playing. Ging Nang Boyz are wild in both personality and playing, and Abiko’s basslines are the cherry on top.
Just listen to this:
You can learn more about Abiko’s style and life on the Dog People podcast, hosted by an acquaintance and pillar of the GNBz community, Bob of Shinobu.
And that’s a wrap. I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my favorite bassists.
Oh yeah, and I didn’t add the Cassiopia guy here because we all know he is amazing. I wanted to shine a light on some of the up-and-coming bassists, and those who are inspiring the new generation like Hsu and Abiko. Now I have to practice because I have a gig in two hours bwahaha. yeah I am procrastinating.
Until next time. ❤
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