I first fell in love with J-pop (Japanese pop music) when I was 16 and had stumbled upon it like most American teenagers through anime. I remember listing for the first time to Do As Infinity's Deep Forest and thinking wow!! The music - the art ... it was amazing. Thus began my foray into the wonderful world of Japanese music. Six years latter my love of J-pop is still going strong, and while there are many j-pop performers worthy of the title diva - this is my top ten favorites list.

1  Ayumi Hamsaki - dubbed the "empress of j-pop" by the Japanese press is hands down the number one j-pop diva. For over  a decade she's been going strong, with energetic dance songs and emotional power ballads. Ayu (as she's referred to by fans) has made herself into a veritable conglomerate with clothing lines, TV shows, commercials, and animes all using either her image or songs or both! Her tours are a sight to be seen, with amazing sets, crazy costumes, and fabulous lighting. The thing which I feel truly makes her a diva is the fact that she does it all with a medical condition which left her deaf in one ear! Can you believe it - the most popular singer in Japan is half deaf - for persevering and never letting her disadvantages stop her, Ayumi totally deserves the number one spot.

2 Namie Amuro - R&B self proclaimed "Queen of Hip-pop" is one of ayu's fiercest rivals. For nearly a decade Namie has maintained a huge fan base. She managed to survive two hiatus, having a child, getting married and divorced. Three things which would have killed the career of a lesser musician. Like Ayumi she's branded herself, doing commercials and anime theme songs, and has become a fashion icon. With shorter skirts, raunchy lyrics, and an altogether  edgier persona - Namie has earned the spot as number two j-pop diva.

3 Ai Otsuka - Coming in at a respectable number three is "Ai-chan" the bubblegum pop, girl next door Japanese idol often viewed as the next in line to Ayumi Hamasaki's title. While I admit to not really enjoying all of her songs, or her voice I totally admit to her Diva-ness. A qualified kinder-garden teacher, Ai-chan has amassed a huge younger fan base. Doing Radio shows, commercials, and movie roles has helped establish her as a J-pop mega-star. She comes off as exceedingly open, answering questions about her personal life which is usually a big no-no for the Japanese superstar. Better yet, she has an amazingly unique sense of humor which makes it hard not to love her!

4 Koda Kumi - The first time I heard Koda was her single ID of Peace with BOA. Back then she was sweet, and conservative, very girl next door. Nowadays she seems to be evolving into another "Namie Amuro". Sexy and provocative her music now tends to be more R&B or hip-hop. My personal favorite being the single "It's All love" which she sung with little sister (and fellow j-pop star) Misono. She's undergone some controversy due to remarks she made about Woman over 35 not being able to have children. But after publicly apologizing, and suspending all promotion of her album "Kingdom" It looks like she's back on top. For keeping a cool head , even when faced with her own mistakes - Koda is totally a J-pop Diva.

5 Tamiko Van - Coming in at number five is lead singer of Do As Infinity and occasional solo artist Tamiko Van. With a deeper voice then her j-pop contemporaries Tamiko leaves quite the impression. It was her voice which first introduce me to j-pop, her voice which first captured my attention and sent me forth on my search for all things Japanese. With occasional foray's into the world of acting, and numerous anime theme songs under her belt - Tamiko is a force to be reckoned with. Especially now that DAI has got back together and released a new album!

6 Arika Takarano - Not a traditional J-pop Diva by any means Arika is the singer for Ali Project, a goth fusion, pop/ rock group that's been around since the late 80's. Her longevity is amazing last year her latest album made it to the top ten list upon it's first week of release. What really makes her a Diva is her amazing fashion sense, the staple of which is usually inspired by European aristocracy yet always manages to have a truly Asian flare. With a number of anime theme songs under her belt Arika is the epitome of a J-pop Diva and one of my all time favorites!

7 Maaya Sakamoto - Like a lot of our Diva's Maaya chose to lend many of her popular songs to animes and movies probably more then any other artist on my list. Unlike most of her contemporaries Maaya also does a lot of character voice acting. That's how I was first introduced to her, through her voice work as Hitomi in the Vision of Escaflowne. She teamed up with aclaimed composer Yoko Kanno to sing most of the theme songs and it blew me away. She's a Toyo University Graduate in Sociology,and altogether very private person. Not much is known about her personal or family life. One of the coolest things I think, which hands down wins her a spot on my list is that Maaya is the voice of Padmae Amidala in the Japanese dub of Star Wars episode I,II,and III. She's even currently doing the voice for the CGI Star wars: The Clone Wars. Now tell me - how could the voice of Queen Amidala not make my list!

8 Bonnie Pink - One of the best singer/ songwritters in Japan, Bonnie Pink is a little out there but a total diva. Pop-rock, even foksy at moments she writes her own songs , many of wich are in English. Guitarist, Pianist, Singer - she does it all with a flair. Surviving even a brief decline in popularity during the late 90's, Bonnie is back on top with two chart toping albums to her credit - which proves you can't keep a good Diva down!

9 Angela Aki - A relative new comer when compared to Arika and Ayumi, Angela is a very talented musician. Japanese, Italian- American Angela is fluent in English and Japanese. An amazing pianist, composer and writer. Her first album 'Home' boasted not one but two theme songs for the popular Final Fantasy game series. Amazingly enough she's managed to build a successful career, get married, and earn a degree in political science from George Washington University. For being the girl who has everything, Angela has earned her spot on my J-pop Diva list.

10 Tomoko Kawase - Rounding out my list of top ten J-pop diva's is the lead singer of the brilliant green. Singer/ Songwirter  Tomoko has one of the greatest imaginations I've ever encountered in a J-pop star. The alter-ego's she produced Tommy Heavenly6 and Tommy Februrary6 are spectacular and like night and day. One pop-centric, the other goth rocker chick. The fact that she manges to maintain separate careers for both identities, as well as continue on with her career with the Brilliant Green is amazing. That she can do all that while propelling each of her identities albums to the top of the charts makes her truly Diva material!

That rounds up my top ten j-pop divas! I really suggest listening to some of their works - you won't be disappointed!