Why I Voice
Natsuko Yamazaki| Japanese Voiceover Artist
Represented by AB2Talent | Los Angeles
A voice does more than deliver information. It can move people, bring places and stories to life, and carry the thoughts and values of people and organizations to the future.
I truly came to understand this during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What Can a Voice Truly Do?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Toyama’s Gokayama region fell unusually quiet.
Gokayama is known for its beautiful traditional villages and rich cultural heritage. Before the pandemic, visitors came from Japan and around the world. But during that time, the streets were nearly empty.
One day, I saw a shopkeeper standing quietly outside her souvenir shop.
Looking at that scene, I found myself thinking:
“It would be such a shame if this beautiful place and its stories were to disappear from people’s memories.”
And I began to wonder:
What can a voice truly do?
A voice can do more than simply deliver information.
It can convey the passion behind a company’s work.
The craftsmanship behind a product.
The emotions of the people who create it.
The beauty of a place.
The stories that deserve to be remembered.
That realization made me want to use my voice to connect Japan with people around the world.
For more than 30 years, I have worked as a broadcaster, narrator, and voice artist, bringing stories to life through television, radio, commercials, documentaries, corporate videos, e-learning, audiobooks, and more.
Today, from my professional home studio in Japan, I work with clients both in Japan and overseas.
Whether it is a corporate message, a documentary, an educational project, or a story that needs to reach audiences across borders, I believe the right voice can make people stop, listen, and feel.
Because a voice is not simply heard.
It becomes part of the story—and part of a brand.
30⁺ Years of Experience
I began my career as a broadcaster and have spent more than 30 years working with the spoken word.
My experience includes television and radio broadcasting, commercials, corporate videos, documentaries, e-learning, audiobooks, gaming, animation, and more.
Today, I work from my professional home studio in Japan, providing Japanese voiceover services to clients both in Japan and around the world.
My Approach
Understanding the Story Behind the Words
Great narration is not simply about reading words clearly. It begins with understanding the story, the purpose, and the people behind the project.
Before I record, I take the time to understand what you want your audience to feel, remember, and take away from the message.
Bringing Meaning to Every Word
I pay close attention to tone, pacing, rhythm, and nuance so that the narration feels natural and authentic.
Whether it is a corporate video, commercial, documentary, e-learning project, audiobook, or character performance, I adapt my voice to the world of the project.
Professional, Reliable, and Easy to Work With
I believe that great voiceover work is also about communication and trust.
From the initial direction to recording and delivery, I value clear communication, careful preparation, fast response, and reliable deadlines.
When working with international clients, I can also provide remote recording with live direction through Source-Connect, SessionLink Pro, Zoom, and other platforms.
More Than a Voice
As both a narrator and the owner of a video production company in Japan, I understand how narration works within the larger production.
I consider the relationship between voice, visuals, music, editing, and the overall message—not just the words on the page.
My goal is simple:
to make your message sound like it belongs to your project.
Beyond Voice
A Narrator Who Understands Production
I am not only a narrator. I also run a video production company in Japan.
This experience gives me a broader perspective on how voice works within a production. I understand the relationship between narration, visuals, music, editing, timing, and the overall message.
Whether you already have a finished script and direction, or are still shaping the concept, I can approach the narration with the entire production in mind.
From Japan to the World
My primary specialty is Japanese voiceover.
For projects that require multiple languages, I can also collaborate with trusted professional voice artists overseas to coordinate English, Chinese, and other language versions alongside Japanese narration.
This allows Japanese companies and international production teams to create consistent multilingual content while working with a single production partner in Japan.
A Production Partner, Not Just a Voice
From a single voiceover recording to a larger video project, my goal is to make the production process smooth, reliable, and thoughtful.
One voice. One production perspective. A connection between Japan and the world.
Professional Home Studio
Microphones / NeumannTLM102、Shure SM63
Audio Interface / Focusrite Scarlett2i2
Computer / MacBook Pro
DAW / Logic pro、Audacity、iZotope RX10
Connectivity / Zoom、Googlemeet、Session link pro、Source Connect
Turnaround Time / Typically 24–48 hours, depending on the project. Urgent projects can be accommodated in as little as 2 hours when possible.
Ready for live directed sessions via Zoom, Google Meet, etc.
Awards & Recognition
【International Awards】
2026 SOVAS Voice Arts® Awards
Winner — Audiobook: Best Japanese Voiceover
Bella’s Magical Fluffy Hair: The Big Birthday Adventure
Japanese narration
Nominee — Corporate: Best Japanese Voiceover
Yuyu Unagi (The Relaxing Eel)
Japanese narration
One Voice Awards USA 2026
Nominee — Best International Overall Voiceover Performance
2024 SOVAS Voice Arts® Awards
Winner — Audiobook: Best Japanese Voiceover
Mottainai Grandma’s Grandma
Published by Kodansha
Nominee — Audiobook: Best Japanese Voiceover
Nominee — E-Learning: Best Japanese Voiceover
Japanese History Textbook — Yamakawa Publishing Co., Ltd.
【Domestic Awards】
National Board of Regional Visual Industry Associations Grand Prix 2010
Grand Prize — Program Category (Short Program), Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Award
Living Together: Our Own Toyama-Style Day Service
Japan Public Relations Association — National Public Relations Contest 2015
Selected Entry — Video Category
Tateyama Kanjiki: A Living Tradition of the Snowy Mountains
Tateyama Town, Toyama
On a personal note
After building my career as a broadcast announcer, I set up a professional home studio. Today, my voice reaches clients not only in Tokyo from my hometown, but also across America and Europe.
My desire to “connect with the world” first took root during a high school stay in the U.S. Now, that dream has become a reality, as I share meaningful moments with clients worldwide through Zoom.
At the same time, what I value most as an artist is the beauty of Japanese culture and the peaceful moments I spend with my family. Joy, peace, and happiness—I believe these warm emotions from daily life give my voice a rich, deeply human depth.
From Japan to the World
Represented by the Los Angeles-based voiceover agency AB2 Talent, I regularly work on narration projects for international clients.
In recent years, participating in international voice awards has opened doors for me to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas with talented voice actors from around the world in Los Angeles.
The inspiring encounters and lessons from these experiences have sparked a fresh passion for my craft.
While continuously refining my technical skills, I focus above all on infusing my voice with genuine human warmth. My constant wish is for my voice to touch listeners’ hearts, delivering a deep sense of comfort, clarity, and trust.
Beyond narration, my work extends to a wide range of fields, including reporting, emceeing for ceremonies and events, and radio personality. I also do voice acting for anime, games, and TV dramas, as well as picture book storytelling and international collaborations with fellow narrators.
I share my daily work and experiences on my podcast and blog. You can find them here.
Contact
We believe that video production and storytelling are like works of art.
A work of art that resonates with people’s hearts and minds is sure to be filled with emotions.
Let’s work together to create a work of art that cannot be found anywhere else.
We are committed to carefully responding to our customers’ requests.