Well, my favorite Japanese artist of all time is ACO, but then again she's not anything like Ayu or any of those other singers in the poll. I don't even know what genre I would classify her as, since she's not exactly pop (at least not anymore).

If you haven't heard of her, here are some videos (the first is my favorite song of hers)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqj8t3bcuzo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jee-M-mnmtA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrI6M6WOWow

Although I like a few of the artists in the poll, I cannot choose any of them over Ayu, she's one of the reasons I love Japanese music so much. Plus none of them are as good as Ayu is, IMO.

I wouldn't say better, just as much (Ai/Hikki)

For me would be misia, hikki and namie :P misia's voice is just too good to be resisted :) as for namie, you really cannot deny that her style is soo unique among the female performers in japan :yes while hikki is just pure :luv2 of course ayu is alway ayu, she is unique and not be replaced but of course, there are always room for improvement :D

OH ho ! ! I thought AYU is Favorite foe you guys . . . what happened? :( . . . anyway . . it's up to you . . we all have different tastes . . .

No YUKl? No Bonni Pink? No Misora Hibari? Lame

Koda or Amuro i suppose.

utada hikaru

I vote for Yuna Ito as she has better vocal in comparison to Ayu...but i like ayu's live performance

I voted Kumi, Mika, Ai, and Namie
Sorry Ayu, you have not been as good lately as everyone else :weep

Hikki :D My all time fav and that will never change. Ayu's my second fav.

no one is better than ayu :P

lol! I'm a huge Ayu fan, but I have to say I've really liked listening to Otsuka Ai recently! I prefer her crazy pop songs over a lot of Ayu's super pop songs. -cough- But I'm still an Ayu fan! :D I'm only really a Hikaru Utada hater (and that's not even the right word... I just don't like her music that much). But yah, I voted Otsuka Ai.

Before you get yelled at, I just wanted to warn you of that little "no haters" message!! :D

I agree. :yes

I voted:
Nanase Aikawa - Amazing performer and one of the few rock females to do well.
Eri Nobuchika - Amazing voice and lovely lyrics.
Namie Amuro - Has a nice voice, her sound appeals to me and dances pretty good.
Tomiko Van - Stellar voice in studio or live, minimal make-up to look pretty, and very good lyrics
***
OLIVIA - Godess of musical expermentation and unique

I don't love anyone more than Ayu, but I love Koda Kumi and Namie Amuro about the same.

I think they are both better live than Ayu...:innocent

Ayu is my favorite, but behind her is Namie.

hikki and namie~

hehe, i chose namie amuro. i dont think shes better than ayu, its just that i love them both so much, i cant choose!

The same here. I love Hikki ^^ And ayu too, but my frist position was, is and will be Hikki.

Koda Kumi as she has better voice than Ayu. :p I really like both, but something in Kuu seems to make me love her even more than I do love Ayu right now. o.O