Naohiro Sugawara菅原 直洋

Naohiro Sugawara (music artist name: nao) is one of Japan's leading composers, arrangers, keyboardists, and music producers, having crafted numerous chart-topping hits, anime soundtracks, and multi-platinum records.

Born on December 13, 1980, in Tokyo, he began learning classical piano at the age of five, developing perfect pitch and a natural talent for melody. Demonstrating exceptional technical skill and expressiveness from a young age, he won the Grand Prix—the highest honor—at the Yamaha Music Contest.

In 2002, he formed the legendary J-POP duo "I WiSH" alongside vocalist Ai Kawashima. Their 2003 debut single, "Asu e no Tobira" ("Door to Tomorrow"), was featured as the theme song for Fuji TV's popular reality television show Ainori and became a historic smash hit. The song reached No. 1 on the Oricon charts, sold over a million copies, and remains a beloved ballad symbolic of 2000s Japanese pop music. As I WiSH, the duo also released acclaimed tracks such as "Kimi to Boku," the ending theme song for the anime SD Gundam Force.

Following the group's dissolution in 2005, he solidified his position at the forefront of the music industry as a top hitmaker. As a composer, digital creator, and arranger, he has been involved in over 1,000 tracks, artist productions, and various commercial projects. Recognized for his deep contributions to the global music scene, he is also a voting member of the Grammy Awards.

Currently, alongside continuously creating music through cutting-edge studio work, he serves as a specially appointed professor at the Professional University of Information and Innovation Studies (iU), where he is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of talent in the music and entertainment industry.