Ken Hirai Biography: Age, Partner, Net Worth, Height, Songs, Albums, Movies, Coming Out

Ken Hirai is a distinguished Japanese R&B and pop singer-songwriter, celebrated for his soulful falsetto and emotive ballads that have defined J-pop for decades.

Rising from Sony Music’s audition circuit, he became a household name with hits like “Pop Star” and “Hitomi o Tojite,” blending Western influences with Japanese lyricism.

Profile

• Full Name: Ken Hirai
• Stage Name: Ken Hirai
• Born: January 17, 1972
• Age: 53 years old
• Birthplace: Nabari, Mie, Japan
• Nationality: Japanese
• Occupation: Singer-Songwriter and Actor
• Height: 6 feet 0 inches
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Hirai
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Unknown
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $15 million USD

Early Life and Education

Ken Hirai, a distinguished Japanese singer-songwriter and actor, was born on January 17, 1972, in Nabari, Mie, Japan, and raised in Higashiōsaka, Osaka.

Growing up in a supportive family under Mr. and Mrs. Hirai, he developed an early love for music, inspired by his mother’s Western vinyl collection featuring artists like Stevie Wonder.

At 18, he moved to Tokyo after high school, briefly attending Kanagawa University to study English literature, though his focus shifted to music following a 1993 Sony Music audition.

His ethnicity is Japanese, and he observes Shinto traditions.

Career

Ken Hirai debuted in 1995 with the single “Precious Junk” under Sony Music, gaining traction with his 1998 album Un-balanced and the 2001 hit “Gaining Through Losing.”

His falsetto-driven singles like “Hitomi o Tojite” (2004) and “Pop Star” (2005) topped Oricon charts, with the former becoming Japan’s best-selling single of 2004.

He expanded into acting with roles in Sing, Salmon, Sing! (2008) and voiced characters in Tiger & Bunny (2011).

Collaborations include “Kimi wa Tomodachi” with Hikaru Utada and covers of Western classics.

By 2025, his discography spans 46 singles, 10 studio albums, and international concerts across Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, with recent releases like the 2024 single “Strawberry Sex.”

His work also includes theme songs for dramas like Dangerous Liaisons (2012) and films like The First Slam Dunk (2022).

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @kenhiraiofficial
• Facebook Handle: Ken Hirai
• Twitter Handle: @kenhirai_official
• YouTube Channel: Ken Hirai Official

Personal Life

Ken Hirai, a distinguished Japanese singer-songwriter and actor, aged 53, maintains a private life centered on introspection and music creation in Tokyo.

Unmarried with no children, he remains single, openly identifying as gay since 2016, a stance that has bolstered his advocacy for inclusivity.

He cherishes family ties, often referencing his mother’s influence on his musical taste, and enjoys solitary hobbies like vinyl collecting and visiting quiet retreats in Kyoto, sharing minimal personal updates to preserve his enigmatic allure.

Discography

• Un-balanced (Album, 1998)
• The Changing Same (Album, 2000)
• Gaining Through Losing (Album, 2001)
• Sentimentalovers (Album, 2004)
• Ken’s Bar (Album, 2003)
• Ken’s Bar II (Album, 2009)
• Japanese Singer (Album, 2011)
• The Still Life (Album, 2016)

Net Worth

Ken Hirai, a distinguished Japanese singer-songwriter and actor, commands an estimated net worth of $15 million USD.

His wealth stems from Sony Music royalties, global concert tours, acting fees from projects like Sing, Salmon, Sing!, and endorsements with brands like Shiseido, further enhanced by residuals from chart-topping singles and theme song placements.