Noriyuki Makihara is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter who has released many albums since he debuted in 1990 with 'Kimi ga Warau Toki, Kimi no Mune ga Itamanai Youni'. Known for his romantic ballads, he has written for several other acts including boy band SMAP whose recording of 'Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana' was a massive hit in Japan in 2003. He began writing songs as a youth in Osaka and had his first number one hit on Japan's Oricon singles chart in 1991 with 'Donna Toki Mo'. The tracks 'No. 1' (1993) and 'Spy' (1994) also topped the chart.
'Fuyu ga Hajimaru you' (1991) went to number five on the Oricon singles chart, 'Mo Koi Nante Shinai' (1992) reached number two, 'Kitakaze (Kimi ni Todokimasu Yu ni' (1992) number six, 'Kanojo no Koibito' (1993) number four, 'Zuru Yasumi' (1993) and 'Futatsu no Negai' (1994) number three, 'Secret Heaven' (1996) number six, 'Doshiyo mo Nai Boku ni Tenshi ga Oritekita' (1996) number four, 'Chicken Rice' (2004) with Masatoshi Hamada number two and 'Green Days' (2007) number three. 'Kioku' peaked at number 22 in 2018. His many albums include three volumes of 'Smiling - The Best of Noriyuki Makihara' (1997, 1998), 'Noriyuki Makihara Single Collection' (2000) and 'Heart to Heart' (2011).
