Joe Inoue

井上ジョー (Inoue Joe), born 30 August 1985 in Los Angeles, United States, is a Japanese singer and songwriter who blends alternative rock and J‑rock. Raised in a musically rich environment, he learned Japanese from his parents and began composing and performing his own material while still in school. His first single, "Closer" (17 December 2008), served as the fourth opening theme for the anime Naruto Shippuden and marked his breakthrough into the mainstream. In 2007, he released his debut album In a Way (19 October 2007), followed by ME! ME! ME! (8 April 2009) and DOS ANGELES (6 October 2010). The EP 風のごとく (7 November 2012) showcased a more experimental sound, and in 2016 he issued Joepop #1. Throughout his career, Inoue Joe has maintained a presence on Japanese charts, with "Closer" peaking within the top 20 on the Oricon singles chart and earning recognition for its anime tie‑in. He has toured extensively across Japan and internationally, collaborating with various artists and contributing to soundtracks.