TOKYO - Japan's oldest record company is turning to artificial intelligence to reshape one of the country's most traditional musical genres, unveiling an AI-generated enka singer as part of a new label combining the technology with the distinctive vocal style of Japanese ballads.
The singer, named Kodama Hikari, features both a voice and visual appearance created entirely using AI. Her performances include the sustained vocals and distinctive "kobushi" melodic ornamentation that are hallmarks of enka music.
Nippon Columbia, Japan's oldest record company, announced on September 19 that it is launching a new label called Neo Kobushi, bringing together enka and artificial intelligence.
The company also plans to release songs that use AI in the lyric-writing and composition process, expanding the technology's role beyond the creation of performers.
The project's producer said enka should be willing to experiment more boldly with new ideas and technology.
"Enka can afford to do more outrageous things," the producer said. "If it is going to survive for another 100 years, it should encounter new technologies and other new influences."
