#Japan #Tokyo #Nao Yoshioka #Jamila Woods #Safe Place

Nao Yoshioka Teams Up with Jamila Woods for 'Safe Place'

On May 29, globally acclaimed soul singer Nao Yoshioka released a new collaboration song titled 'Safe Place' featuring the renowned poet and singer from Chicago, Jamila Woods. This heartfelt track delves into the theme of identifying one’s own sanctuary within oneself.

Nao Yoshioka, often referred to as the 'lonely soul singer', has carved a unique niche for herself both in Japan, where she is recognized for her English songs, and abroad as an Asian soul vocalist. Her distinctive career path can lead to feelings of isolation at times, yet this solitude becomes a wellspring of creativity for her music.

The songs featured on her upcoming summer album have largely been written near Lake Yamanaka, situated at the base of Japan's iconic Mount Fuji. This tranquil location serves as a mental refuge where Nao has poured her heart into her songwriting. As expressed in her first single 'In the Rain', nature has an incredible ability to heal her spirit.

During a recent visit to Lake Yamanaka, Nao experienced an overwhelming sense of loneliness. At that moment, Jamila Woods' music became her solace. Recognized as a prominent singer-songwriter from Chicago and a part of former President Obama's playlist, Woods' powerful vocals penetrated deeply into Nao's heart. This encounter with Woods' lyrics inspired the theme of 'Safe Place', defining the quest for becoming one’s own safety net.

Later, Nao had the fortunate opportunity to visit Chicago, where she reached out to Jamila Woods through social media, aiming to arrange a meeting. Although their schedules did not align initially, they were finally able to connect via video chat after Nao returned to Japan. This dialogue paved the way for their collaboration.

The track was produced by Peter CottonTale, a Grammy Award-winning producer and music director known for his work on Chance The Rapper's acclaimed album 'Coloring Book'. The idea for 'Safe Place' blossomed during Nao's visit to CottonTale's studio in Chicago, with the support of Chicago’s creative community lending their strength to the project. 'Safe Place' stands as Nao Yoshioka’s most sincere exploration of where her own sanctuary lies.

In Nao’s own words:
"'Safe Place' is a declaration that I want to become my own safe haven. It is not easy to become your own best friend and source of security, but that is exactly why I wanted to write this song. I found profound inspiration during a tough time from Jamila Woods' song 'Holy'. There’s a line that says, 'I'm not lonely, I'm alone and I'm holy by my own.' That shifted my perspective on being alone; I realized I wasn’t lonely while standing on my own. I carried that thought into my music, leading to my aspiration of becoming my own safe space. The fact that Jamila joined this project feels like a dream to me. Her warm, empowering voice brings an additional layer of strength to the song. This piece has morphed into a declaration for me to fight for myself and cherish my journey."

Release Information

• - Artist: Nao Yoshioka
• - Title: Safe Place
• - Genre: R&B, Soul
• - Information Release Date: May 29, 2026
• - Streaming Release Date: June 5, 2026
• - Label: SWEET SOUL RECORDS
• - Link for Streaming: Listen to Safe Place

Concert Information

Nao Yoshioka will embark on the 'self' World Tour, with notable performances including:

• - Fukuoka

- Date: October 18, 2026
- Venue: ROOMS
- Details: Fukuoka Concert

• - Tokyo

- Date: October 21, 2026
- Venue: LIQUIDROOM
- Details: Tokyo Concert

• - Osaka

- Date: October 22, 2026
- Venue: Yogibo META VALLEY
- Details: Osaka Concert

• - Hokkaido

- Date: October 23, 2026
- Venue: Sapporo Chikamatsu
- Details: Hokkaido Concert

This collaboration not only signifies a creative alliance but also highlights the powerful messages behind their music that speaks to many hearts.