FUJII KAZE

When Fujii Kaze steps into a room, he carries with him not just music, but an energy—calm yet electrifying, spiritual yet unshakably modern. With over 2.2 billion streams and a devoted global following, the Japanese singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist has become one of the most compelling voices in contemporary music. His third studio album Prema—a Sanskrit word for “supreme love”—isn’t just a record; it’s a manifesto of openness, spirituality, and fearless reinvention.

Fresh from sold-out shows across Asia, Europe, and North America, including a historic run at Nissan Stadium and on-sale records that stunned Los Angeles, Fujii Kaze’s momentum feels unstoppable. Signed to Republic Records, he’s now entering a new chapter: an English-language body of work that stretches beyond borders while staying grounded in the soulful, cinematic intensity that first won him fans from Tokyo to Bangkok to Berlin.

But beyond the headlines—collaborations, chart milestones, and even a recent guest appearance alongside Billie Eilish in Tokyo—Kaze remains refreshingly humble. He speaks of prayer before meals, meditation at dawn, and music not as a commodity but as a spiritual calling. In conversation, he is candid, unguarded, and quietly funny, disarming with the same ease he brings to a stage.

Dimitri Vorontsov sat down with Fujii Kaze to discuss Prema, his creative journey, and the philosophy that guides him. What follows is an intimate exchange with an artist who is redefining what it means to connect across cultures, languages, and sound.

Dimitri: How are you? Nice to meet you.

Fujii Kaze: I’m good, thank you. Nice to meet you, Dimitri.

Dimitri: Are you in New York right now?

Fujii Kaze: Yes, indeed.

Dimitri: Great. Thank you so much for taking the time. Let’s dive into your music, especially your upcoming album and new single. Your new single “Hachikō” really caught my ear. Is this track the beginning of your third album?

Fujii Kaze: Absolutely. It’s funny, because the title “Hachikō” wasn’t even my idea. I’m Japanese, but it was actually my producer Tobias who suggested we try including a little Japanese in one song. It began playfully, just experimenting, and I never expected it would become the first single. Honestly, I couldn’t even decide which track should lead the album. In the end, I see it as God’s plan, not mine, and I’m really excited about it.

Dimitri: And how about the rest of the album? Will it follow the same tone as “Hachikō,” or does it go in a different direction?

Fujii Kaze: It’s quite versatile. “Hachiko” feels very modern, pretty 2020s, but the album overall is inspired by nostalgia — sounds from the ’80s and ’90s. Each track has its own personality, but every song is authentic to me.

Dimitri: How long did it take to create this album?

Fujii Kaze: Technically, three years. But it feels like my whole lifetime has been leading up to it. Making an album fully in English is really a dream come true for me.

Dimitri: What’s your creative process like? Do you write alone or with collaborators?

Fujii Kaze: I usually start alone. I need that solitude to channel ideas — to be like a vessel. I’ll make rough piano demos, then bring them to talented producers and musicians to build them out.

Dimitri: Your sound often feels cinematic and spiritual. Was that intentional on this record?

Fujii Kaze: Yes. Compared to my first two albums, which were more serious and reserved, this one is freer and more open. I have nothing to hide anymore.

Dimitri: When did you first discover your passion for music?

Fujii Kaze: I started playing piano at three because of my father, who was an aspiring musician. At first, I was embarrassed and kept it a secret. But in junior high, I realized I wanted to become an artist — to create, to perform, to express myself through music videos.

Dimitri: Do you remember your very first gig?

Fujii Kaze: Yes — in the countryside of Japan. There were maybe 20 or 30 elderly people in the audience, and I performed old Japanese songs. It was small but unforgettable.

Dimitri: And the first time you heard your own music played publicly?

Fujii Kaze: My biggest motivation has always been to make my parents proud, so when they told me they heard my song in a supermarket, it made me happy.

Dimitri: You recently signed with Republic Records and completed your first U.S. tour. How has that experience shaped you?

Fujii Kaze: It feels like my home ground is expanding — slowly but steadily. Being outside of Japan reminded me that I always wanted to create music for the world, not just one country.

Dimitri: Your Nissan Stadium performance in 2021 was unforgettable. How did it feel to return there for sold-out shows?

Fujii Kaze: Grateful. Honestly, I don’t remember much from 2021 — I was still so young. But today I feel stronger and proud to share the latest version of myself with my fans.

Dimitri: How do you feel about performing Japanese lyrics to global audiences?

Fujii Kaze: Music is universal. Emotions are the same everywhere — love, sadness, joy. Listeners don’t need to understand Japanese to connect with the songs.

Dimitri: You’ve covered Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, and others. How do you balance influences with staying true to yourself?

Fujii Kaze: My roots are already a mixture — classical piano, jazz from my father, Japanese pop, Western pop. Everything is true to me.

Dimitri: Who inspired you while making this new album?

Fujii Kaze: I drew a lot from classic ’80s records — Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Prince. That era was full of creativity and newness, and I wanted to bring some of that energy.

Dimitri: Beyond music, you often speak about inner peace and spirituality. How do you stay grounded with such a hectic schedule?

Fujii Kaze: Meditation, every morning. Prayers before meals. Those rituals keep me spiritually centered. Without them, I don’t think I could survive this lifestyle.

Dimitri: How are you preparing for the next tour?

Fujii Kaze: Honestly, I haven’t even started rehearsals yet. Plans changed, so I’m still figuring out what kind of show I want to present. But as always, I’ll put my heart and soul into it.

Dimitri: Do you prefer large stadiums or small intimate venues?

Fujii Kaze: Both. This album has a big sound that deserves large stages, but I also love the closeness of intimate shows.

Dimitri: Any plans to tour Europe?

Fujii Kaze: Definitely. Europe is beautiful, and I can’t wait to bring this album there.

Dimitri: Final question: if you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Fujii Kaze: Study English harder! But more importantly — open your heart. People are not your enemies; they are your brothers and sisters. Absorb everything, stay open-minded, and let God guide you.