What better 27th birthday could you have? Hikaru Utada is Japan’s biggest pop sensation, having sold an incredible 70 million albums (and made GT’s best of the decade list which, you know, is almost a bigger accomplishment.) Plus, her birthday falls in the middle of her current US tour. (Check out the dates here!) Tonight, she’s in Hollywood of all places — home of the stars! — singing at the House of Blues. Sorry, that’s been sold out forrrrever.

Described alternately by a befuddled West as “Japan’s Britney Spears” or “Japan’s Madonna,” she’s basically the country’s biggest star — known for pop hits. And last year, she made her biggest leap into the West’s pop market with the English language album (her eighth full length), This is the One.

The album’s first single was “Come Back to Me” (GT’s fave) plays off of American R&B more than any of her past tracks. Plus, the video was directed by none other than Anthony Mandler, best known perhaps for direction the video for the chart-topping R&B track “Run this Town.”

Check it out. And eat a slice of cake today in memory of Japan’s pop princess!

Photo: Getty