A mysterious new singer named ERIKA is set to release her first single, titled "FREE," on July 4. So far, all signs seem to indicate that the singer is actually actress Erika Sawajiri, who made her singing debut last year under the name of Kaoru Amane.

The singer and Sawajiri share the same name and the same birthdate (July 4, 1986). Pictures of the new artist on her official site look just like Sawajiri, and even her voice is said to be the same. The only discrepancy seems to be that ERIKA supposedly was born in a Paris suburb.

It is also said that ERIKA has been playing the guitar for almost her whole life. For her debut, she is sporting a specially-made Fender Telecaster with a surface bearing a design she created.

MTV Japan has scheduled a special program in early July in which ERIKA will make a guest appearance. The show will feature a special discussion between her and the host, who happens to be Sawajiri.