Some musicians simply ooze self-confidence. They walk into the room like they own it, flashing a smile that instantly melts a thousand hearts. But Tomoyuki Nagasawa is not one of those musicians.

"I don't think my voice is all that special," says the 28-year-old Fukuoka singer-songwriter, wringing his hands. "There are plenty of singers with amazing voices, but I'm not one of them."

Nagasawa is clearly nervous as he chats with The Japan Times — as nervous as he says he still gets on stage, nearly 10 years after signing with revered management company Office Augusta and its in-house record label. He's friendly and genuine, but awkward. Sitting on a leather sofa, his body flops around like a marionette in the hands of a puppeteer drunk on vodka jelly. He gesticulates purposelessly, and sometimes slumps forward with his hands between his feet. He speaks quietly, disjointedly, and turns questions around to fire them back as if to better illustrate his feelings.