Greg Irwin is an American-born singer, voice actor, and bilingual master of ceremonies (MC) based in Japan. He is best known for his English adaptations of Japanese dà Âyà  (childrenâÂÂs songs), extensive voice-over work in Japan, and appearances as a host for high-profile international events and wedding receptions.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Irwin studied music at the University of WisconsinâÂÂEau Claire and theater at the University of Minnesota. During university, he moved to Hawaii his senior year and worked as a performer on American Hawaii Cruises.
Encouraged to visit Japan, Irwin participated in a homestay program and worked at Tokyo Disneyland. Upon returning to Hawaii, he enrolled in the Japanese Language Department at the University of Hawaiûi and worked as a DJ for KOHO-FM radio station.
After returning to Japan, he was invited to translate Japanese dà Âyà  songs into English. After recording twenty songs, a producer told him that he had found his âÂÂlifeâÂÂs work.â The Tokyo Shimbun called him âÂÂThe messenger of Japanese ChildrenâÂÂs Songs.âÂÂ
Irwin has published several works, including The Best Loved Songs of the Season â Volume 1 and 2 (Japan Times) and Japanese ChildrenâÂÂs Songs (Random House/Kodansha). His English versions of dà Âyà  songs have been featured on various Japanese television and radio shows.
In recognition of his cultural contributions, Irwin received the ChildrenâÂÂs Music Culture Award from the Japan ChildrenâÂÂs Music Association. His work was also included in Japanese junior high school âÂÂMoralityâ textbooks published by Tokyo Shoseki.
Irwin released two albums through Victor Entertainment, titled Blue Eyes and Shoshoji. He also performed in stage productions such as âÂÂNodojimanâ at the Nagoya Misonoza Theater and âÂÂOedo de Gozaruâ at Shimbashi Embujà  Theater.
After winning the FM Yokohama DJ Contest MayorâÂÂs Prize, he was awarded his own radio program, âÂÂAmusement Hotline.â This opportunity led to a career in voice-over work.
Irwin is widely recognized as the voice of âÂÂYouâÂÂve Got Mailâ in Japan and served as the in-flight announcer for All Nippon Airways (ANA). His voice is also currently heard on Starlux Airlines. He has voiced commercials for brands such as Kentucky Fried Chicken, Panasonic, Iris Ohyama, Kao, and Nissan. Internationally, he is known as the announcer in the Street Fighter video game series and for various roles in Detective Conan and other games. His narration work includes videos for the Government of Japan, Sony, Hitachi, and NTT Docomo.
Irwin has hosted numerous events, including one featuring Roger Clinton, half-brother of U.S. President Bill Clinton. At this event, Irwin met socialite and television personality Dewi Sukarno, who later invited him to host her events.
He has served as MC for a wide range of international and celebrity events in Tokyo, including the Star Wars Convention with Mark Hamill, the Edinburgh Awards with Prince Edward, and the Asian Golden Star Awards. Irwin has also hosted events in India and Mongolia.
In addition to his entertainment and broadcasting work, Irwin is known as a bilingual MC for wedding receptions in Japan. Over the course of his career, he has hosted more than 1,000 wedding receptions.