Yo Hitoto's bio

Yo Hitoto (一青窈 Hitoto Yō, born September 20, 1976) is a Japanese pop singer. Her mother is Japanese and her father is Taiwanese. She can speak three languages: Japanese, English, and standard Mandarin Chinese. Tae Hitoto is her older sister. Her name Hitoto is not her real surname, it's her mother's maiden name. She changed her name when she came to Japan. Her father died when she was really young and her mother died when she was 16.

She completed kindergarten in Taipei before moving to Japan, and she has lived there ever since. She graduated from the department of Environmental Information of Keio University and participated in the Keio University a cappella group, K.O.E., during her days as a student. She used to have live concerts on the street with fellow K.O.E. members before she met Youichi Kitayama, a member of the famous Japanese a cappella group the Gospellers. Mr. Kitayama encouraged Yo Hitoto to compose her own music. Before this encounter, she had been a backup singer for many other artists..

To date, Yo Hitoto has released eight single CDs and four albums. The eight single CDs are "Morai naki" (もらい泣き), "Da-jia" (大家), "Kingyo sukui" (金魚すくい), "Edo Polka" (江戸ポルカ), "Hanamizuki" (ハナミズキ, "Kagefumi" (影踏み), "Kazaguruma" (かざぐるま) & "Yubikiri" (指切り). The titles of her albums are "Tsukitenshin" (月天心), "Hito-omoi" (一青想),"&" and "BESTYO" (compilation album).

Yo Hitoto's debut single "Morai naki" propelled her to stardom, and her songs enjoy wide popularity. Her clear voice and singing style, which is compared to the style of folk songs of Okinawa, attract many fans.

In Taiwan she is known for singing a Taiwanese folk song, which was included in her second album, as part of a Suntory beer commercial.

Yo Hitoto performs a song at the finale of the game, Dynasty Warriors 3.

In 2003 she debuted in her first film Café Lumière, as the lead character Yoko.

Her latest best of album sold over 700,000 copies(Platinum status in Japan), becoming her best selling album yet. close