D-51 is a Japanese dance pop duo formed in Okinawa in 2003. The band was founded by vocalists Yasu (real name: Yasuhide Yoshida) and Yu (real name: Yu Useato). The duo’s name was inspired by the Japanese National Railway’s D51 steam locomotive. Their musical career started in June 2003 when they began singing in public at Mihama Carnival Park Square in Chatan Town, Okinawa Prefecture. They released the independent single “Let’s Try” in 2003, followed by the 2004 mini-album Street Breeze. The mini-album reached the top of the local chart and was released nationally shortly thereafter. They signed to Pony Canyon and released their debut full length, Oneness, in 2005. The album’s single “No More Cry” was a huge hit, reaching the Top 5 on the Oricon chart. In 2006, they released their second album, 2Gether. The duo continued to release albums and singles, although none of them were quite as successful as their early releases. One of their most successful later releases was 2008’s Best of D-51. In October 2012, they released the single “Meguri Ai”, the theme to the movie The Centenarian Clock. The duo performed a successful series of live shows in China in 2012, 2013, and 2014. They celebrated their 10th Anniversary in 2015 with the album Sing A Song.
