Ai Otsuka

As a qualified kindergarten teacher, it's little surprise that Osaka-born singer/songwriter Ai Otsuka was able to make a connection with young Japanese music fans so quickly into her career. But while her thin, high-pitched vocals and karaoke-friendly bubblegum pop are mandatory for any self-respecting J-pop idol, and were crucial in capturing a young teenage audience, Otsuka's cute appeal, centered around her earthy fashion sense, upbeat lyrics, and sense of humor, have also struck a chord with older teens and working women. Debuting in 2003 and often misleadingly viewed as t...