LOUANGE is a Japanese worship duo formed by Yuji and Tamiko Kurokawa (黒川裕司・黒川多美子). They offer officially authorized Japanese translations of international worship songs, such as Bethel Music's Living Hope, alongside original compositions. Yuji Kurokawa also serves as worship leader at a church in Kawasaki.
Yuji Kurokawa grew up in Sapporo, on the island of Hokkaido, immersed in church music from childhood. He later went to study in New York before returning to Japan. In September 2014, he experienced what he describes as a call to devote himself entirely to prayer and singing, a decision that led him to become a full time musician and worshipper in the service of Jesus Christ. Today he serves as worship leader at a church in Kawasaki, in Kanagawa prefecture.
Together with his wife Tamiko, he forms the duo LOUANGE, a name chosen in French that sums up their mission: bringing international worship into the Japanese language. The duo releases officially authorized Japanese translations of songs from movements like Bethel Music and Elevation Worship, alongside original compositions. This bridge building work carries particular weight in a country where Christians remain a minority of about one percent of the population.
- Origin
- Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan (Yuji Kurokawa grew up in Sapporo, Hokkaido)
- Style
- Worship, Japanese translations of international songs
- Good to know
- Real names of the duo: Yuji and Tamiko Kurokawa (黒川裕司・黒川多美子)
- Notable link
- Officially authorized Japanese translation of Living Hope, Bethel Music's global worship song
How did LOUANGE get started?
The duo is rooted in Yuji Kurokawa's personal journey, shaped by a childhood in Sapporo surrounded by church music and later by studies in New York. In September 2014, he felt a clear call to devote his life to worship, which led him to train as a musician fully dedicated to serving God.
Together with his wife Tamiko, he gave birth to the LOUANGE project, conceived as a bridge between the global contemporary worship movement and the Japanese church, which still has few carefully translated songs in its own language.
What makes LOUANGE distinctive?
Few Japanese projects offer officially authorized translations of songs like Living Hope, which is also widely sung in French speaking churches. LOUANGE carries out this adaptation work with real care, while also composing its own original songs, making it a reference point for worship in the Japanese language, in a context where Christians remain a very small minority.
Where should you start with LOUANGE?
"Deepest Place," an original composition by the duo, gives a good sense of their songwriting. Their orchestral version of "生きる希望" (Living Hope) shows their officially authorized translation work, and "われらの神は主イエス" rounds out the picture with another original song led by Yuji Kurokawa.
songs
DEEPEST PLACE
An original song composed by the duo, presented as a new worship piece on their channel.
生きる希望 (Living Hope, version orchestrale)
An officially authorized Japanese translation of Bethel Music's Living Hope, also sung by French speaking worship teams.
われらの神は主イエス
An original composition by Yuji Kurokawa, released as an official lyric video.
Discography
- DEEPEST PLACE· An original song released as a single on the duo's channel, with no formal album identified
Read also
Frequently asked questions
Who is LOUANGE (Yuji & Tamiko)?
LOUANGE is a Japanese worship duo formed by Yuji and Tamiko Kurokawa. They translate international worship songs into Japanese and also write their own songs.
Is LOUANGE a Christian act?
Yes, the duo is fully devoted to Christian worship. Yuji Kurokawa serves as worship leader at a church in Kawasaki, Japan.
What is LOUANGE's best known song?
Their officially authorized Japanese translation of Living Hope, Bethel Music's global worship song, is one of their most recognized releases.
Does LOUANGE sing in Japanese?
Yes, their entire repertoire is in Japanese, whether it's authorized translations of international songs or original compositions.
Where can you listen to LOUANGE?
Their YouTube channel LOUANGE | Yuji & Tamiko brings together all of their songs, translations, and original compositions.
Why the name LOUANGE, a French word, for a Japanese duo?
The name sums up the duo's mission: bringing the global worship movement, which has so far been mostly English speaking, into the Japanese language and church.